How big is too big for a 180g?

Silencer · 05/09/2006, 03:18 PM

I've been trying to decide on a showcase fish for my 180g and always seem to run into the same problem. All the fish I'm looking at get fairly large and I honestly can't decide where to draw the line when it comes to size limits. I want to do what's right for the fish but I also think that I'm being overly cautious because a lot of people recommend equally large fish. Here is my rockwork so that you can get an idea of swimming space. It will be an SPS tank so once I get more frags and they grow out everything will get a little taller. The aquascaping isn't quite done yet but I'm not planning any major changes so that shouldn't have much impact on things.

I would love to have something like a Clown Tang or Emperor Angel but both get to about 15" which seems way too huge. However a lot of people recommend things like a Naso or Sailfin tang and those get even larger! Even something like a Hippo Tang gets to 1ft and I don't think anyone would try to dissuade me from getting one of those because of it's size. I've been looking more and more at the female Swallowtail Angel as it should be reef safe and only gets to about 7" but if possible I would really like something that is more colorful and interesting looking.

As far as compatibility and other stocking goes... The tank will primarily be an SPS tank with some zoanthids. I will not have any softies and PROBABLY won't have any LPS except for a single frogspawn. I have not decided if I want any anemones or clams yet. I currently have 1 Firefish, 1 Fire Shirmp, 6 Green Chromis and 2 Banggai Cardinals. In the near future I am definitely going to be adding around 7 Lyretail Anthias to the tank. I would also like to get both a Green and Target mandarin but don't feel that the tank is mature enough yet. Once all the little fish are settled in and a little bit bigger I will likely be adding a small(ish) Zebra Moray as well. This will be the true showcase creature of the tank but since it will likely spend most of it's time in the cave I have created for it I would like to do something special in the fish department as well which is of course where I'm getting myself confused.

What do you guys think? What size fish is too big for my tank? Where should I draw the line?

ste6168 · 05/09/2006, 03:28 PM

i would say that a naso tang would be an awesome addition and centerpiece fish... I think a 180 is big enough for all of the fish you have mentioned but that is JMO. if it was my tank i would go with the naso as they are probably my favorite fish in the ocean...

HTH, Mike

edit* BTW i REALLY like your rockwork...

Brenden · 05/09/2006, 03:31 PM

I think you would be fine with any any of the tangs you mentioned. I would avoid the angel since you plan on some corals later. Fish size is not the only factor in tank size. Ever considered a purple and convict? The clown tangs can get real mean and are nearly as hardy as the other fish you mentioned.

sloshesv · 05/09/2006, 04:02 PM

This is too big

pepe.king.prawn · 05/09/2006, 04:06 PM

I've got one of those in my 12g nano! lol. wow. Nice tank setup though, cool rockwork! Nice banghaii as well, I love those fish.

Silencer · 05/09/2006, 08:23 PM

Thanks for replies. Does anyone else have any comments or does anyone know of a good 6-8" reef safe "showcase" fish?

blstravler · 05/09/2006, 08:32 PM

What about a pair of Angels from the Genicnathus family?

I have a pair of Wantanabei's in my 180, very nice fish.

05/09/2006, 03:18 PM	#1
Silencer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NW Chicago Suburbs Posts: 655	How big is too big for a 180g? I've been trying to decide on a showcase fish for my 180g and always seem to run into the same problem. All the fish I'm looking at get fairly large and I honestly can't decide where to draw the line when it comes to size limits. I want to do what's right for the fish but I also think that I'm being overly cautious because a lot of people recommend equally large fish. Here is my rockwork so that you can get an idea of swimming space. It will be an SPS tank so once I get more frags and they grow out everything will get a little taller. The aquascaping isn't quite done yet but I'm not planning any major changes so that shouldn't have much impact on things. I would love to have something like a Clown Tang or Emperor Angel but both get to about 15" which seems way too huge. However a lot of people recommend things like a Naso or Sailfin tang and those get even larger! Even something like a Hippo Tang gets to 1ft and I don't think anyone would try to dissuade me from getting one of those because of it's size. I've been looking more and more at the female Swallowtail Angel as it should be reef safe and only gets to about 7" but if possible I would really like something that is more colorful and interesting looking. As far as compatibility and other stocking goes... The tank will primarily be an SPS tank with some zoanthids. I will not have any softies and PROBABLY won't have any LPS except for a single frogspawn. I have not decided if I want any anemones or clams yet. I currently have 1 Firefish, 1 Fire Shirmp, 6 Green Chromis and 2 Banggai Cardinals. In the near future I am definitely going to be adding around 7 Lyretail Anthias to the tank. I would also like to get both a Green and Target mandarin but don't feel that the tank is mature enough yet. Once all the little fish are settled in and a little bit bigger I will likely be adding a small(ish) Zebra Moray as well. This will be the true showcase creature of the tank but since it will likely spend most of it's time in the cave I have created for it I would like to do something special in the fish department as well which is of course where I'm getting myself confused. What do you guys think? What size fish is too big for my tank? Where should I draw the line? __________________ Going to Brasil for a while so all aquarium stuff is being sold...

05/09/2006, 04:02 PM	#4
sloshesv Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: ft myers, fl Posts: 723	This is too big __________________ It's just sloshesv, your Honor Current Tank Info: 55 gallon reef, 20 gal seahorse and leaf fish

05/09/2006, 04:06 PM	#5
pepe.king.prawn Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: east bay CA / UC Davis Posts: 778	I've got one of those in my 12g nano! lol. wow. Nice tank setup though, cool rockwork! Nice banghaii as well, I love those fish. __________________ -Tristan Current Tank Info: 180gal live rock tank (no fish, no corals.. just live rock)

05/09/2006, 08:23 PM	#6
Silencer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NW Chicago Suburbs Posts: 655	Thanks for replies. Does anyone else have any comments or does anyone know of a good 6-8" reef safe "showcase" fish? __________________ Going to Brasil for a while so all aquarium stuff is being sold...

05/09/2006, 03:28 PM	#2
ste6168 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,066	i would say that a naso tang would be an awesome addition and centerpiece fish... I think a 180 is big enough for all of the fish you have mentioned but that is JMO. if it was my tank i would go with the naso as they are probably my favorite fish in the ocean... HTH, Mike edit* BTW i REALLY like your rockwork...

05/09/2006, 03:31 PM	#3
Brenden Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Piedmont, NC Posts: 224	I think you would be fine with any any of the tangs you mentioned. I would avoid the angel since you plan on some corals later. Fish size is not the only factor in tank size. Ever considered a purple and convict? The clown tangs can get real mean and are nearly as hardy as the other fish you mentioned.

05/09/2006, 08:32 PM	#7
blstravler Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Central N.J. coast Posts: 935	What about a pair of Angels from the Genicnathus family? I have a pair of Wantanabei's in my 180, very nice fish.