How many fish in 180

enzo54321 · 03/25/2009, 11:41 AM

Hi guys,

I have a 180 and I presently have a powder blue tang a purple tang a regal angel 4 green cromis.

my dream would be to add 1 copperband butterfly + 1 flame angel + 1 leopard wrasse + 1 Moorish idol and maybe a school of anthiases.

what do you think? overcrowding? OK?

wartskin · 03/25/2009, 11:45 AM

I personally think that all those fish would be fine except the MOORISH IDOL. They have a high mortality rate and even the most experienced hobbyist will have a problem keeping this fish. But if you really really want this fish and no one will talk you out of it, please read this thread from the begging(before you purchase one!!!!!!) as it has alot of useful information.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=993712

I follow it and I don't have one but I like to hear how the people that have kept them for years are doing.

Copperbands can be a problem to but not as bad as the MI

enzo54321 · 03/25/2009, 11:50 AM

Thanks in regards to the morish idol ...I read the thread...I just want to know fish limits

LobsterOfJustice · 03/25/2009, 12:09 PM

I agree with wartskin. Overall fish numbers should be fine, but moorish idols are better left in the ocean. I would honestly say that less than 1/100 live a year in captivity. Copperbands are tough too, but not impossible... I'm 0 for 3. probably close to 1/10 or 1/20 live long term in captivity.

Consider a heniochus bannerfish as a replacement for the moorish idol, and a longnose butterfly as a replacement for the copperband. Also understand that any butterflies or angels are hit or miss in a reef. It's one thing to take a chance on one fish, but every additional hit-or-miss fish you add is making it more likely that you'll end up with at least one nipper.

jimmy n · 03/25/2009, 12:13 PM

12

Amazon4 · 03/25/2009, 12:22 PM

Not to hijack, but here's my fishload in a 180 and I'd welcome opinions:

hippo
kole
scopas
scribbled rabbit
blue flasher wrasse
yellow corris wrasse
african cleaner wrasse
coral beauty
female lyretail
dragon goby
pair true percs
clown goby
watchman goby
borbonius anthia
midas blenny

obviously nothing else is going in there. We consolidated tanks then added the larger species.

Nitrates can creep up to 20 if I feed the fish and corals heavily.

snorvich · 03/25/2009, 12:49 PM

Amazon4, your top four fish will feel cramped eventually. Overall, the fish load is fine.

patsfan1130 · 03/25/2009, 01:12 PM

I dont feel a Kole tang would feel cramped in a 180 at all

Amazon4 · 03/25/2009, 02:52 PM

yah, I figured the hippo and rabbit would either need an upgrade with us or move on to another reefer with a larger system (we know a few). But didn't think the scopas would.

We all ready have visions of a larger tank. Hopefully in time. If not, we would not subject the fish to cramped quarters. We care too much about them.

03/25/2009, 11:41 AM	#1
enzo54321 Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 221	How many fish in 180 Hi guys, I have a 180 and I presently have a powder blue tang a purple tang a regal angel 4 green cromis. my dream would be to add 1 copperband butterfly + 1 flame angel + 1 leopard wrasse + 1 Moorish idol and maybe a school of anthiases. what do you think? overcrowding? OK? __________________ 180 Gal. 3 250w MH 10K T-4 return pump + wavy sea ATI Bubble Master 200 75 gal. Sump/Refugium 5" Live DSB and Caulerpa 150 lbs LR Current Tank Info: 180 gal.

03/25/2009, 11:45 AM	#2
wartskin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Austin Tx. Posts: 393	I personally think that all those fish would be fine except the MOORISH IDOL. They have a high mortality rate and even the most experienced hobbyist will have a problem keeping this fish. But if you really really want this fish and no one will talk you out of it, please read this thread from the begging(before you purchase one!!!!!!) as it has alot of useful information. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=993712 I follow it and I don't have one but I like to hear how the people that have kept them for years are doing. Copperbands can be a problem to but not as bad as the MI __________________ Rodney Covey Tunze USA In the end, everything is a gag........Charlie Chaplin

03/25/2009, 11:50 AM	#3
enzo54321 Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 221	Thanks in regards to the morish idol ...I read the thread...I just want to know fish limits __________________ 180 Gal. 3 250w MH 10K T-4 return pump + wavy sea ATI Bubble Master 200 75 gal. Sump/Refugium 5" Live DSB and Caulerpa 150 lbs LR Current Tank Info: 180 gal.

03/25/2009, 12:09 PM	#4
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	I agree with wartskin. Overall fish numbers should be fine, but moorish idols are better left in the ocean. I would honestly say that less than 1/100 live a year in captivity. Copperbands are tough too, but not impossible... I'm 0 for 3. probably close to 1/10 or 1/20 live long term in captivity. Consider a heniochus bannerfish as a replacement for the moorish idol, and a longnose butterfly as a replacement for the copperband. Also understand that any butterflies or angels are hit or miss in a reef. It's one thing to take a chance on one fish, but every additional hit-or-miss fish you add is making it more likely that you'll end up with at least one nipper. __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

03/25/2009, 12:49 PM	#7
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	Amazon4, your top four fish will feel cramped eventually. Overall, the fish load is fine. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

03/25/2009, 12:13 PM	#5
jimmy n Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 1,256	12

03/25/2009, 12:22 PM	#6
Amazon4 Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Arlington, MA Posts: 690	Not to hijack, but here's my fishload in a 180 and I'd welcome opinions: hippo kole scopas scribbled rabbit blue flasher wrasse yellow corris wrasse african cleaner wrasse coral beauty female lyretail dragon goby pair true percs clown goby watchman goby borbonius anthia midas blenny obviously nothing else is going in there. We consolidated tanks then added the larger species. Nitrates can creep up to 20 if I feed the fish and corals heavily.

03/25/2009, 01:12 PM	#8
patsfan1130 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Woburn, Ma Posts: 2,010	I dont feel a Kole tang would feel cramped in a 180 at all __________________ My cat's breath smells like cat food Member of the Boston Reefers Society Current Tank Info: 75g lps, 90g sps, 120g mixed, 180 nem tank, 300g reef, 600g up & coming reef

03/25/2009, 02:52 PM	#9
Amazon4 Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Arlington, MA Posts: 690	yah, I figured the hippo and rabbit would either need an upgrade with us or move on to another reefer with a larger system (we know a few). But didn't think the scopas would. We all ready have visions of a larger tank. Hopefully in time. If not, we would not subject the fish to cramped quarters. We care too much about them.