180 Gallon Stocking List

[Rangerbob86]

I'm new to the reef keeping hobby (although experienced with fresh water setups). I'm planning on starting a larger reef tank, and want to make sure I plan ahead with my stocking list. I'm thinking of getting a 180 gallon rimless tank. Here are my thoughts currently:

• Green Mandarin x2
• Dwarf Zebra Lionfish (Would love a Volitan, but don't think it can work with the other tankmates)
• Copperband Butterfly
• Ocellaris Clownfish x2
• Blue Tang (Not set on blue tang, but would like a tang)
• Foxface Lo
• Harlequin Tusk
• Regal Angelfish (If too large, a flame angelfish instead)

My concerns:

• Am I overstocked?
• The only problem fish I see potentially is the dwarf lionfish. Are any of my other choices in danger of being eaten?
• Would any of these fish be a problem in a rimless tank? Any likely jumpers?

I have not tried to plan out what corals, invertebrates, etc I will be keeping. The fish are the most important part to me, so I figured I would pick that out first!

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

[Stevenliu9]

Originally Posted by Rangerbob86

I'm new to the reef keeping hobby (although experienced with fresh water setups). I'm planning on starting a larger reef tank, and want to make sure I plan ahead with my stocking list. I'm thinking of getting a 180 gallon rimless tank. Here are my thoughts currently:

• Green Mandarin x2
• Dwarf Zebra Lionfish (Would love a Volitan, but don't think it can work with the other tankmates)
• Copperband Butterfly
• Ocellaris Clownfish x2
• Blue Tang (Not set on blue tang, but would like a tang)
• Foxface Lo
• Harlequin Tusk
• Regal Angelfish (If too large, a flame angelfish instead)

My concerns:

• Am I overstocked?
• The only problem fish I see potentially is the dwarf lionfish. Are any of my other choices in danger of being eaten?
• Would any of these fish be a problem in a rimless tank? Any likely jumpers?

I have not tried to plan out what corals, invertebrates, etc I will be keeping. The fish are the most important part to me, so I figured I would pick that out first!

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Welcome to the hobby!
Since you have mentioned you are new, I'm really glad you found the forum to seek opinion from other hobbyists.
Here are the answers based on my knowledge and experience:
1) You are not "overstocked" but wait til you see the next answer
2) Any and all fish "jump", though some are more prone to than others. Among the ones on your list: Mandarin, Butterfly, and Harlequin are all notorious jumpers.
3) Mandarin and clownfish will likely be food for lion, you'd be surprised how much they can stretch their mouth. For you being a new hobbyist, I strongly recommend against keeping regal angel and copperband butterfly until you are more experienced. They are difficult to care for even for experienced hobbyists. Until you have a sustainable way to feed the mandarin, please spare them from a new tank. Allow the tank with a large amount of liverock to mature at least 12 months before you put a pair of mandarin in or else they face imminent starvation.

Lastly, be very meticulous on your quarantine process. Of all the fish on your list, the foxface is the easiest and hardiest fish to keep. (+Harlequin assuming it doesn't jump)

[SoloChromis]

Green Mandarin x2 - Should do just fine as long as your tank/live rock is established (1 year+), also try to get your hands on a pair that accept prepared food
Dwarf Zebra Lionfish (Would love a Volitan, but don't think it can work with the other tankmates) - Should leave the rest of your listed tank-mates alone, just be sure to get a larger pair of ocellaris clowns (the mandarins exude this nasty mucus, with their colorful patterns serving as a warning, so they should be safe)
Copperband Butterfly - It'll take a while to find a healthy specimen with a hardy appetite, but once established and comfortable, they usually prove to be pretty hardy
Ocellaris Clownfish x2 - No brainer, just be sure to find a larger pair so that'll your lion doesn't make a meal out of them
Blue Tang (Not set on blue tang, but would like a tang) - Blue tangs (I assume you're referring to P. hepatus) are pretty frantic, touchy fish, so I would try to find a medium sized specimen and be sure to quarantine (although there are so much more tang options that are both hardier and IMO more unique)
Foxface Lo - Very rapid growth rate, and amazing algae munchers. Very hardy as well
Harlequin Tusk - Very high chance of this guy eat your shrimp, crabs, snails etc. One of my all time favorite fish though, and I plan on one day setting up a FOWLR centered around this species
Regal Angelfish (If too large, a flame angelfish instead) - Won't outgrow a 180g, not to mention their notably slow growth rate. Try to get one from Maldives if you can, and make sure he/she's eating well first

... Good luck

[SoloChromis]

Also, regarding the rimless idea and whether or not any of the fish are notoriously suicidal (jumpers)... I've had 3 fish jump out IME, one being an ocellaris clown (she lived), one being a Lubbock's fairy wrasse (RIP), and lastly a spotbreast angel (RIP). The fairy wrasse is a known jumper, but the other 2 were complete surprises, with angels and clowns not being world renowned stuntmen, so it's difficult to determine. I would say the tusk and mandarins would be the most likely, but like you'll hear a million times, any fish has the ability to jump. So in short, I love the rimless tanks in theory, but I love my fish more than the novelty of having the tank itself look a bit more "stylish" without a cover/rim. One other thing to consider with rimless tanks is how often water gets sloshed over the side when you're just performing routine maintenance, it's actually extremely aggravating IME. Once again, good luck