Fish Suggestions for my 180gal

[Ursula]

It's 180 gallon FOWLR (160#), peaceful tank.

I currently have:
1 foxface
2 ocellaris
1 bangaii cardinal
1 clown fairy wrasse
2 firefish
1 b/g chromis
1 cleaner shrimp
1 sandsifter starfish

I eventually want to add:
1 yellow or purple tang
1 hippo tang
1 flame or coral beauty dwarf angel

Am I maxed out? Can I add 2-3 more smaller fish now while I'm waiting for my tank to age?

I was considering a midas blenny or clown gobie. Will they do ok with my firefish?

Suggestions? Thanks in advance.

[KenyanSandBoa]

How old is the tank now?

[Ursula]

5 months.

[tankanator]

I would go with the yellow tang the purple tangs are far more aggressive and either one would have to be the last in the tank, take my word for it. I bought a $125 Majestic Angelfish and added it to the tank with my yellow and within a day the yellow tang killed it kept wiping the angel with it's tail and I guess you know they have a spike on there tail. I have a 180 gal with fish that will grow larger then the ones you have, so I guess you can add a couple more just add the tang last good luck.

[joander123]

sounds good, many will advise against more than one tang in a tank, but the yellow tang and the blue hippo would be fine together in my honest opinion.

The yellow tang comes from the Zebrasoma family, which general does not compete for the same food source as the Paracanthurus (blue hippo tang) which is a sub category of the acanthurus.

i would also up the b/g reef chomis number, as they look better in larger groups, and will be happier too =).

Hope this helps
Jay

[KenyanSandBoa]

You should be fine with your additions. I agree with tankanator, the purple tangs can be a handfull...and add your most aggressive fish last.

[Grins]

You might want to consider adding another 2 cardinal bangs...they tend to be more happier in a group.

Have you looked at any of the other dwarf angels? The Potters Angel is similiar to a Coral Beauty but I tend to prefer them to the CBs. Some of the other dwarfs are nice as well such as the Cherub, Bicolour or the Golden if you can find it. It is more of a reddish terra cotta color than a yellow.

[pacersfan09]

a firefish that is the coolest fish i have ever seen

[Ursula]

Thanks, everyone.

Problem with the chromis: the one I have left is the same one that killed off the entire original school I had in the tank. He is so mean (I really wish that I didn't have him sometimes). He hangs out with my clowns and "schools" with them. Do you think he'll be content with that? I hesitate to get new ones because I'm afraid he'll go after them...

Also, with the cardinal. If I just buy fish smaller than the one I have, will they get along ok?

At what point (at what tank age) do you guys think it would be safe to add a tang?

Thanks!

[Grins]

That happens for many that start with a shoal of chromis. I'd not get any more while that one is in the tank. I think the cardinals will get along, they tend to be very peaceful. How long has your tank been up? I got my tang at only 75 days in or so. Don't make the same mistake I did though..QT it.

[o-townpisces]

wow I have 7 chromis blue came with the tank they all but 1 always school there always seems to be one wondering but seem so happy in a school.
I'm thinking maybe my tank is overstocked considering we have the same size tank! I've heard 1" of fish to 5 gal of water based on that I'm near capacity as my fox face and sail-fin are quite large.

[Grins]

What is a Foxface Tang?

[o-townpisces]

http://www.fish.com/largeimage.asp?ID=60031

thought maybe I had name wrong but try this link. My LFS always have them he came with my tank at first I did not like him but he changes color based on mood has quite the personality and I'm told his top fin is poisonous?!

[Reefscape]

i have never seen or heard of a fox-face tang....however...i have googled it and there have been 2 mentions of the same, in peoples stocking list...

Am at a loss here...

Niko

[Grins]

Ah...I don't know that as a tang. I know it as a Foxface Lo...a rabbitfish. And yes it is venomous

[Reefscape]

http://www.fish.com/largeimage.asp?ID=60031

thought maybe I had name wrong but try this link. My LFS always have them he came with my tank at first I did not like him but he changes color based on mood has quite the personality and I'm told his top fin is poisonous?!

that link is the normal Foxface, or Siganus Vulpinus

Niko

[Grins]

Niko, I see others calling it a tang now when I look too. Odd.

[o-townpisces]

how much do i have to worry:eek: I'm in the tank often I've had him touch me but never would corner him! that pic was from fish.com my fox-fash is about 5" long.

[Grins]

Depends how allergic you are to the venom. Some just report a mild bee sting while I know one guy that had to go to the ER.

[Ursula]

My tank is only 5 mos old. My LFS told me to wait until 8 mos to add the tangs. Correct? I don't have much algae growth, if any, so I want to be sure. My tank is FOWLR, so I just have the standard lighting, and I only keep the lights on for 4-6 hours a day. Should I increase that in anticipation of my stock list?

I have heard the foxfaces categorized as tangs, too. I have always kind of considered mine a tang, because he forages so much and loves the nori. I was hesitant to get a poisonous fish, as well. It's only the first two spines that contain venom (from what I know). Mine is such a coward. The most spineless (no pun intended) fish in the tank. There is no chance of him ever sticking me on purpose. He is beautiful, color changes so interesting, and has doubled in size in the last 2 months. :)

So, I'll skip the b/g chromis and add two more small cardinals next.

[ricsreef]

Glad you posted this,I thought Fox-face were in the Butterfly family.Thats what I love about AC,always learning something new.

[Grins]

I think you'll be fine adding a tang. Just be sure to keep nori on the clip for it.