fish for 130g

[ClownieandBilly]

the following is a list of fish i would like to keep in my new 130gal reef tank and i would like your feedback please
1.maroon clown
2.regal tang
2.flame angel
4.orchid dottyback (pair if possible)
5.six line wrasse
6.rainfords goby


thats it for now but hopefully i may add another couple of smaller fish if i see something that i like.i will add these fish over 6-12 month period.do you have any comments that may help me in confirming my selections??

[Guy W]

You've got some fairly aggressive fish. The maroon clown, dottyback, and the flame angel are all semi-aggressive. My Flame angelfish will chase down any new comer to the tank for a good day or two. I suppose if you have a good deal of rock work and some nice hiding places that shouldn't be a huge problem though.

Other than that I think the tang is a bad choice. Just my opinion, and while they are fairly peaceful they get large and I personally just don't like must tangs much. But it will probably do alright.

Others I'm sure will have more opinions.

Guy

[a_free_bird73]

I don't mind the Tangs and they are my wife's favourite fish. The tank is big enough for them but I am not sure about the neighbours. It is a pretty aggressive (or perhaps more accuratly territorial) mix of fish.

Dottyback and goby hmmm... Not sure about that! While the goby is very gentle, Dottybacks are not and they kind of share the same space. It is possible that the size of the tank would help but I am not sure.

Overall nothing wrong with the mix but you may have to give your order a bit of a think. I would be introducing the tang and goby first and make sure they are well settled before adding anything else. I would leave the maroon clown and the dottyback until last but that is a personal openion...

[BrianH]

Your fish list seems fine as long as you consider that you may have some territory issues with the maroon clown and dottybacks. IMHO the regal tang is one of the most attractive and active fish you can put in a reef tank. Just make sure you wait until your tank is stable(at least 4 months IMHO),buy a healthy speciman, and quarantine before adding and the regal is a great addition.

Brian

[kreblak]

I have a skunk dottyback (aka pesuedochromis) and he is the most territorial fish in the tank. He makes my damsels look like wimps. If you add one, be prepared for him to be a jerk at times. When I added him, he became deathly sick with Ich, and infected the entire tank. I slowly nursed him back to health, and he promptly grew an inch in 2 months and took over my tank. For some reason, my dottyback hates my cleaner shrimp, and goes after him relentlessly. He also nips at my emerald crab, but he is well armored enough to not have to worry. Anyway, it is my understanding that dottybacks are especially mean to their own kind. Adding a pair of Orchids may be asking for trouble.

[BrianH]

I just noticed that you listed an "orchid" dottyback. I've never kept one but most people say that the orchid is the least aggressive of the dottybacks. Just make sure that it is an orchid and not a regular purple. I think the orchid has a black line running through it's eyes while the regular purple does not. I also think the orchid is about twice the price or a regular purple dottyback.

Brian

[Ray Pollett]

The Rainford's Goby is usually not a good choice with dottybacks and wrasse. They will quite often pick on it and out compete it for food.

Ray

[ClownieandBilly]

thats a pity because i really like the rainford goby,but the orchid dotty is one of my favorites so i guess i may have to think twice about the rainford.what about the six line wrasse and the dotty?will other gobies be ok with the dotty??

[Ray Pollett]

Six-Line wrasse will do fine with a orchard dottyback. The problem with them is they ship very poorly and need a tank that is mature with a lot of pods. I've found Watchman gobies ( many species) do good with them.

Ray