Fish to complete my 75 gallon reef

[serbusfish]

At the moment in my 75 gallon reef I have:

2x Ocelaris Clowns
Firefish
Royal Gramma Basslet
Midas Blenny
Bangaii Cardinal
Coral Beauty

I was wondering what else I could put in? I was considering a/some Neon Damselfish as they are apparently quite peaceful but I have heard they dig, and im worried about sand going all over my substrate corals?

What other options do I have? How many more fish could I get away with? Im not really interested in Gobys for the same reason as the Damsels but also because I want fish that swim not sit around all day

[Devaji108]

oh no Lazy fish eh?...haha

[Genera]

Why no lazy fish? You seem close to fully stocked, but some fish would work, most of them would be your 'lazy fish', to occupy different niches within your ecosystem in a box. A hybrid 'lazy-swimmy' fish includes this fish.

[MondoBongo]

i would call that a fully stocked 75, myself.

[serbusfish]

Hmm I dont like that Blenny, plus I already have a Blenny so dont really want another.

How can 7 fish fully stock a 75 gallon? My friend has 6 in his 30 gallon!

[Mcgeezer]

If you had fewer fish, I'd suggest lyretail Anthias. They are gorgeous and always swim in open water. But I'd say you're already at max capacity.

[serbusfish]

Originally Posted by Mcgeezer

If you had fewer fish, I'd suggest lyretail Anthias. They are gorgeous and always swim in open water. But I'd say you're already at max capacity.

Live Aquaria says those fish need a 125 gallon tank minimum?

According to Aqadvisor I am only 55% stocked (I substitued the Midas blenny as it isnt in their database):

http://www.aqadvisor.com/AqAdvisorMa...rchMode=simple

[Mcgeezer]

They only get up to 3"...I have 2 in my 70 gallon. They would be fine.

Most of your fish produce a light bio load, but one addition can throw out the balance. It's just my two cents since you asked for advice.

[joshky]

How many fish you can have in a tank is dependent on many things.... Hiding places, waste exportation, species, etc... I don't see how you all can determine he's at his max capacity based on nothing but personal opinion.

You could go with one of the bristletooth tang species if you feel your system can manage a larger fish, my personal favorite is the white tail bristletooth.

Also look into wrasses, especially fairy wrasses, they don't touch the sand and can be very colorful and are active swimmers. Almost all wrasses are active swimmers.

I would recommend a acclimation box for new additions so they can get used to each other.

[heathlindner25]

Originally Posted by joshky

how many fish you can have in a tank is dependent on many things.... Hiding places, waste exportation, species, etc... I don't see how you all can determine he's at his max capacity based on nothing but personal opinion.

You could go with one of the bristletooth tang species if you feel your system can manage a larger fish, my personal favorite is the white tail bristletooth.

Also look into wrasses, especially fairy wrasses, they don't touch the sand and can be very colorful and are active swimmers. Almost all wrasses are active swimmers.

I would recommend a acclimation box for new additions so they can get used to each other.

+1

[serbusfish]

Originally Posted by joshky

How many fish you can have in a tank is dependent on many things.... Hiding places, waste exportation, species, etc... I don't see how you all can determine he's at his max capacity based on nothing but personal opinion.

You could go with one of the bristletooth tang species if you feel your system can manage a larger fish, my personal favorite is the white tail bristletooth.

Also look into wrasses, especially fairy wrasses, they don't touch the sand and can be very colorful and are active swimmers. Almost all wrasses are active swimmers.

I would recommend a acclimation box for new additions so they can get used to each other.

I do like the look of Two Spot Bristletooth Tang, and also the Kole Tang, im just not sure how a 7 - 8" fish would look in my tank. Also the Coral Beauty is supposed to be the designated 'show fish'.

I do like the idea of a Wrasse through, my tank has a lid so I dont have to worry about one jumping out.

Here is a fairly recent tank shot, I have quite a bit of swimming space and there are lots of small holes in the rock work:

[Neebles]

I can't really help you with stocking ideas, but I agree with not wanting to put larger fish in your 75. I have a small foxface in mine and I already think it's too big. I think smaller "nano" fish in a larger tank look cool, lots of variety and plenty of swimming room. Plus no worries about them outgrowing the tank and needing to be re-homed. I have a fairy wrasse in mine and love it. It is out all the time, has great color and is very peaceful.

Your tank looks great by the way.

[killinit123]

Originally Posted by joshky

How many fish you can have in a tank is dependent on many things.... Hiding places, waste exportation, species, etc... I don't see how you all can determine he's at his max capacity based on nothing but personal opinion.

You could go with one of the bristletooth tang species if you feel your system can manage a larger fish, my personal favorite is the white tail bristletooth.

Also look into wrasses, especially fairy wrasses, they don't touch the sand and can be very colorful and are active swimmers. Almost all wrasses are active swimmers.

I would recommend a acclimation box for new additions so they can get used to each other.

i agree a species of bristle tooth would be a good add.. and i also second the white tail bristle tooth.. I have one myself in my 75 gallon along with a tomini tang and they get along phenomenal. pricey fish but definitely a showpiece fish. when i tell people what i paid for my white tail bristle tooth i have to pick their jaws up off the floor. and then my day is complete lol

[MondoBongo]

Originally Posted by serbusfish

How can 7 fish fully stock a 75 gallon? My friend has 6 in his 30 gallon!

well, i don't know what fish your friend has, nor do i know the dimensions of his/her 30 gallon, if those 6 fish are all Rainford Gobies, that could entirely appropriate for that size tank. but that's not the topic at hand here...

what i do know is the stocking list you provided, and the dimensions of your tank.

looking at your stocking list, taking in to account the sizes and dispositions of the fish i am familiar with on that list, and the tank size/dimensions, which i know very well, it is my opinion that you are well stocked.

now that you've posted a picture, it also appears you have a fairly light amount of rock in the tank. this is also an important consideration, as lesser amounts of rock means fewer hiding places for fish to feel secure, and in the case of certain fish, less grazing opportunities.

also taken in to account is your pair of clowns. A. ocellaris and A. percula have been known to like to reserve up to about 25 gallons of tank space when mature. so that's something to consider.

i would be cautious with the blenny and adding any bristletooth tangs as well, setting aside the fact that a 75 isn't a very good home for ANY tang. i say this, because i stupidly bought two tangs when i was new to this hobby and put them in my 75. that was a mistake on my part. one was a yellow eyed kole tang, the other a yellow tang. the yellow eyed kole tang harassed my lawnmower blenny non-stop, and sadly, was eventually killed by my yellow tang.

in regards to the wrasse, depending on type, it could be an OK addition, but i still feel that given your tank and current stock list, you're at or very close to max capacity.

[killinit123]

Originally Posted by MondoBongo

well, i don't know what fish your friend has, nor do i know the dimensions of his/her 30 gallon, if those 6 fish are all Rainford Gobies, that could entirely appropriate for that size tank. but that's not the topic at hand here...

what i do know is the stocking list you provided, and the dimensions of your tank.

looking at your stocking list, taking in to account the sizes and dispositions of the fish i am familiar with on that list, and the tank size/dimensions, which i know very well, it is my opinion that you are well stocked.

now that you've posted a picture, it also appears you have a fairly light amount of rock in the tank. this is also an important consideration, as lesser amounts of rock means fewer hiding places for fish to feel secure, and in the case of certain fish, less grazing opportunities.

also taken in to account is your pair of clowns. A. ocellaris and A. percula have been known to like to reserve up to about 25 gallons of tank space when mature. so that's something to consider.

i would be cautious with the blenny and adding any bristletooth tangs as well, setting aside the fact that a 75 isn't a very good home for ANY tang. i say this, because i stupidly bought two tangs when i was new to this hobby and put them in my 75. that was a mistake on my part. one was a yellow eyed kole tang, the other a yellow tang. the yellow eyed kole tang harassed my lawnmower blenny non-stop, and sadly, was eventually killed by my yellow tang.

in regards to the wrasse, depending on type, it could be an OK addition, but i still feel that given your tank and current stock list, you're at or very close to max capacity.

in terms of tangs IMO and IME it is 100% about the nature of the fish. you will never know how a fish will act until you put it in your tank and have it interacting with other tank mates. for instance I had my tomini in my 4 foot long 75g for a year before i cautiously and nervously added my white tail bristle tooth to the same system. there was a little bit of "showing dominance" at first but now they have been together for almost a year and actually have a better relationship with each other than my clowns do. this is breaking two rules that people stress out about entirely too much and I have had no negative outcomes from it. its not like we are suggesting putting a shark or lion fish in your 75g reef. try it out and if it doesnt work out scoop up the fish and back to the lfs you go. as long as no fish our humans are injured it shouldnt be a big concern.

[joshky]

Midas Blennies are not herbivores like other blennies so adding a tang would not be a concern IMO. Looking at your tank right now I wouldn't hesitate to add a few more fish as long as you feel good about exporting the added waste.

[MondoBongo]

Tomini tang and white tail bristle tooth are both from genus Ctenochaetus, same as the Kole tang. the yellow tang is genus Zebrasoma, which is a totally different paradigm in terms of being a jerk. both of mine coexisted peacefully for quite some time, until one day the yellow tang decided he didn't like having another surgeon fish around.

again, this ignores the fact that a 75 isn't a very good home for any tang.

i also don't buy the rehoming myth. it can be extremely difficult to rehome a problem fish, even more so if you want to at all be responsible about it, and make sure it ends up in a suitable tank. my LFS has offered to find a new home for my YT, but i wouldn't want him to end up being a terror in someone else's tank, or being stuck in a tank far too small for his size and growth potential. as it were, he is very close to going in to my new tank, which is a 160 gallon, 6' long and very tall. a much better place for him to thrive.

it also isn't always as simple as just "scoop up the fish". i tried for days to get my kole tang out of the tank once i realized the level of aggressions that was happening. i couldn't get him out. nets and traps were no good, and without removing every single thing from the tank, it wouldn't have been possible.

my opinion, now that i am more familiar with the family, and some of the specific species in it, would be to not add a tang, even a bristletooth, to a tank less than 6' in length. i could *maybe* see a 5 foot, if it were a fairly open aquascape.

i feel that my choice to place those two fish in a smaller than ideal tank contributed to the aggression, and subsequently the death of one of my fish. which is why i feel it is highly advisable to pass on any tangs for the OP's size tank.

[killinit123]

Originally Posted by MondoBongo

Tomini tang and white tail bristle tooth are both from genus Ctenochaetus, same as the Kole tang. the yellow tang is genus Zebrasoma, which is a totally different paradigm in terms of being a jerk. both of mine coexisted peacefully for quite some time, until one day the yellow tang decided he didn't like having another surgeon fish around.

again, this ignores the fact that a 75 isn't a very good home for any tang.

i also don't buy the rehoming myth. it can be extremely difficult to rehome a problem fish, even more so if you want to at all be responsible about it, and make sure it ends up in a suitable tank. my LFS has offered to find a new home for my YT, but i wouldn't want him to end up being a terror in someone else's tank, or being stuck in a tank far too small for his size and growth potential. as it were, he is very close to going in to my new tank, which is a 160 gallon, 6' long and very tall. a much better place for him to thrive.

it also isn't always as simple as just "scoop up the fish". i tried for days to get my kole tang out of the tank once i realized the level of aggressions that was happening. i couldn't get him out. nets and traps were no good, and without removing every single thing from the tank, it wouldn't have been possible.

my opinion, now that i am more familiar with the family, and some of the specific species in it, would be to not add a tang, even a bristletooth, to a tank less than 6' in length. i could *maybe* see a 5 foot, if it were a fairly open aquascape.

i feel that my choice to place those two fish in a smaller than ideal tank contributed to the aggression, and subsequently the death of one of my fish. which is why i feel it is highly advisable to pass on any tangs for the OP's size tank.

I understand the rules of surgeon fish and I also recognize the "norm" requirements for such fish. all im saying is that there are instances where these rules can be broken with stellar outcomes. my situation is one where i can say I broke the rules and have had a positive outcome from it.

my tangs both graze all day long side by side, there is no aggression between them or other fish, they swim around the tank all day even if i come up to it they will not hide. they eat very well and their coloration surpasses that of wild specimens I have seen.

as for the whole scooping the fish out part.. i concur, you are correct in saying it is not that easy because its not.. then again what is easy in this hobby? but I will tell you this.. if it came down to me getting a fish out of my tank or the potential situation where another fish is hurt or even ends up dead. you better believe that im getting that fish out of the tank

[reef_fish]

Does that big colt coral on the top right look that reddish color in person? That's a sweet coral.

It's up to you but I would skip the tang. Maybe add one of these: Bartlett's Anthias, Fairy wrasse, Flasher wrasse. I plan to have 8 similar sized fish in my 75

[serbusfish]

I had a chat with the guy at my LFS today and he recommended some kind of Wrasse, but also said I could do a Kole Tang. However he also said it would be a good idea to let the fish I have grow first and see how I feel when they are bigger, so I think for now I will focus on adding more corals

Originally Posted by reef_fish

Does that big colt coral on the top right look that reddish color in person? That's a sweet coral.

It's up to you but I would skip the tang. Maybe add one of these: Bartlett's Anthias, Fairy wrasse, Flasher wrasse. I plan to have 8 similar sized fish in my 75

The Colt is a bit of a beast :P It looks almost identical in person, my camera does a pretty good job with the colours. However I had to do some bush wacking on it the other day as it was draping itself over a Montipora I have placed close by.

[serbusfish]

Originally Posted by MondoBongo

well, i don't know what fish your friend has, nor do i know the dimensions of his/her 30 gallon, if those 6 fish are all Rainford Gobies, that could entirely appropriate for that size tank. but that's not the topic at hand here...

what i do know is the stocking list you provided, and the dimensions of your tank.

looking at your stocking list, taking in to account the sizes and dispositions of the fish i am familiar with on that list, and the tank size/dimensions, which i know very well, it is my opinion that you are well stocked.

now that you've posted a picture, it also appears you have a fairly light amount of rock in the tank. this is also an important consideration, as lesser amounts of rock means fewer hiding places for fish to feel secure, and in the case of certain fish, less grazing opportunities.

He has a cube, 23 x 15 x 21". In fairness if it were my tank I would have less fish. He has 2 Ocellaris clowns, Firefish, Royal Gramma, and a Neon Damselfish. I just remembered he had a Clown Goby but he lost it, so that makes 5 fish not 6.

I have 84lbs of live rock in my tank, there are a lot more hiding places than you'd think from the pic.

[reefgeezer]

I see there is no sump. Is there a skimmer, power filter, HOB fuge, or anything that might increase the holding capacity of the tank?

[serbusfish]

Originally Posted by reefgeezer

I see there is no sump. Is there a skimmer, power filter, HOB fuge, or anything that might increase the holding capacity of the tank?

I have a hang on skimmer rated for a 185 gallon tank, so as far as waste removal goes I dont think I have to worry too much. I also have a hang on phosphate reactor. Together I cant imagine they add more than 3 gallons to the overall volume.

[Rippinfrags]

Originally Posted by MondoBongo

Tomini tang and white tail bristle tooth are both from genus Ctenochaetus, same as the Kole tang. the yellow tang is genus Zebrasoma, which is a totally different paradigm in terms of being a jerk. both of mine coexisted peacefully for quite some time, until one day the yellow tang decided he didn't like having another surgeon fish around.

again, this ignores the fact that a 75 isn't a very good home for any tang.

i also don't buy the rehoming myth. it can be extremely difficult to rehome a problem fish, even more so if you want to at all be responsible about it, and make sure it ends up in a suitable tank. my LFS has offered to find a new home for my YT, but i wouldn't want him to end up being a terror in someone else's tank, or being stuck in a tank far too small for his size and growth potential. as it were, he is very close to going in to my new tank, which is a 160 gallon, 6' long and very tall. a much better place for him to thrive.

it also isn't always as simple as just "scoop up the fish". i tried for days to get my kole tang out of the tank once i realized the level of aggressions that was happening. i couldn't get him out. nets and traps were no good, and without removing every single thing from the tank, it wouldn't have been possible.

my opinion, now that i am more familiar with the family, and some of the specific species in it, would be to not add a tang, even a bristletooth, to a tank less than 6' in length. i could *maybe* see a 5 foot, if it were a fairly open aquascape.

i feel that my choice to place those two fish in a smaller than ideal tank contributed to the aggression, and subsequently the death of one of my fish. which is why i feel it is highly advisable to pass on any tangs for the OP's size tank.

+1, very well said. Just because one person says it will work great because he or she is doing it right now, certainly does not mean it will work long term. Please do not put any tang in a 75 gallon tank!

[joshky]

I stand by what I said, a single bristletooth tang is not going to be an issue if it doesn't have competition for grazing. I was not suggesting a larger species.