Evaluate my fish plan

P

Porthos

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Jan 15, 2007
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Well, I've almost got all my gear ready and will be getting my tank (55 gallon corner with 10 gallon sump and lots of live rock (hopefully)) going in the next few weeks.

I've been doing a lot of research to decide how I would fill my tank, and below is my current plan. I wanted to run it by everyone here first in case I missed anything important in my research. Here it is:

After cycle: A few hermit crabs and 5 snails
1 month in: 2 clown fish (occellaris?)
2-3 months in: Firefish and a Bicolor Pseudochromis
6+ months in: Porcupine Puffer and a Yellow Tang

Questions:
Should I always add fish in pairs, or is it okay to add one at a time (besides the clown fish)?

Is there any other Tangs besides the Yellow Tang that would work in my tank? I really wanted a Powder Blue Tang, but have decided to put it off for a few years until I have a larger tank and more experience.

I would also like to add some cleaner shrimp. When would be a good time to add them?

I also realize that the Puffer may eat the shrimp and crabs, and if this happens, I will move the crabs to my refugium.

Also, I would love to hear any recommendations of good starter fish that will do well in my tank.
 
i'd skip the porcupine puffer, they get BIG. other than that, sounds fine.

I'm not sure. I think a convict tang may work, but they are pretty uncommon. IMO just stick with the yellow tang.
 
HI there, bet ya cant wait to get your tank and everything setup?

Going through you fish list...

I would not put a tang in your tank, its really big enough be honest..

Puffers will go for some inverts, if my memory serves me correctly..

Bi-colour is a great addition to the tank as it will go for any bristle worms that arrive on the live rock..

It is not always neccesary to add fish in pairs, some fish need to be the only one in the tank, it all depends really...

Get your cleaners in your tank when the cycle is complete, a nice young pair will do good in your tank..Butm as above, remember the puffer....

Fishcatch.....Yellow tangs can get up to about 8 inches, is it wise in a 55? Personally, i would not concider putting one in a tank smaller than at least a 90 Gal...

Niko
 
atnixon said:
Fishcatch.....Yellow tangs can get up to about 8 inches, is it wise in a 55? Personally, i would not concider putting one in a tank smaller than at least a 90 Gal...
Click to expand...
well, everyone I meet says that 55G in the min for a yellow tang, and the ones i've seen in 55G tanks seem to be doing well, and look like they have enough room to swim. i'm still a newb to SW, too, so I will trust your opinion.
 
Thanks for the replys. I will look for another fish to add instead of the puffer and tang, but at least I've got lots of time to decide :)

I would like to get a puffer and a tang sometime in the future. I've got a friend that has a dogface and a yellow tang in a 45 gallon, but they are still pretty small.

How long does it take before they would outgrow a tank? Is it a matter of months, or years? If I decided one day to get a larger tank, how many months/years could a porcupine puffer and/or a yellow tang live happily in a 55 gallon tank?
 
Just a general word of advice....for anyone and everyone....acquire fish that will be able to grow to full size comfortably in the tank you have now. You may not ever get that larger tank....if you do, buy the fish at THAT time. Fish don't "grow to the size of the tank", they are stunted by tanks that are too small, as they grow! Have I bought fish that would grow way too big for my tanks? You bet I have. And I have regreted it - and the fish have paid for it. In nearly 40 years of keeping fish, I have learned a few tricks for keeping fish in tanks a little smaller than they should be in, but not too much smaller. Dream about the fish you want, but be realistic about the fish you get given the tank you buy. There is a huge range of spectacular fish appropriate for all tank sizes. Respect the creatures you decide to keep, and do right by them. The most enjoyable tank is the one with the healthiest and "happiest" fish. Porthos, you are on the right track and doing your homework. I hope you enjoy your fish as much as I have enjoyed mine. Best of luck to you!
 
I have a 55 gallon tank and just got one of the smaller sharpnosed puffers. I got a blue spotted puffer. Some examples are below:

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=260
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=247
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=232&N=0

I see a lot of comments about puffers being too big for aquariums and that tends to ignore the smaller puffers (also known as tobies). He hasn't gone after any of my inverts that I've noticed yet and if he ever does, I'll worry about that later.

I love him. My wife nicknamed him puffie.
 
When you're ready for it (larger tank), a Yellow Tang does make a nice edition. This popular site recommends 100gal:

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=392

And it would be wise to add them last...

Although a bit more expensive (and rare), the black long-nosed Tang would be a cool choice too.

The Royal Gramma Basslets are nice looking fish. Some Chromis would give it some nice color too. I'm also fond of the sand-sifting gobies and there are so many of them to choose from. I also saw some nice looking Anthias in my LFS.

I don't know the above tank recommendations for each of those so if you're interested in any of them, I'd research them first. Just know there are so many possibilities when it comes to SW fish.

:)
 
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