FOWLR Stocking!!!

[joycerino]

I have decided to take the initial plunge into SW after 10 years of Cichlid keeping (I'm still keeping all of my cichlid tanks running).

I have a vacant 30 gal tank that I intend to use as my beginner tank.

I have decided to go with a FOWLR tank with 20lbs of live rock, and a HOB filter just to give some surface agitation and oxygen exchange.

I asked my LFS owner what to stock the tank with for a beginner. He told me that I could put a clown in there along with a small tang and a small blenny or two.

I have to get a clownfish. It's a stipulation from the wife in order to set up the tank. What else can I put in a FOWLR 30 gal? I like fish with interesting behaviors. I really want a sailfin tang but I don't have the space. Any other active and colorful fish would work.

All ideas are welcome and appreciated.

 

[Max]

Welcome to S.W.!
I wouldn't put any tang in a 30 no matter how small it is . It will rapidly out grow the tank causing the fish to get stressed and stressed tang is an ich magnent. Some of the pygmy angles will work, wrasses like the sixline and possum, chalk basslets, gobies, blennies, cardinal fish and more. There are a number of small colorfull fish that will work very well in that set up.
If you need any more advice after you narrow down your list let us know. Oh, and don't forget inverts! You have so many choices with s.w. about the only thing that will limit you is tank size and the fish's temperment.
hth
Max

 

[joycerino]

Thanks for the quick response!

Here are my favorites so far.

Clownfish (required)
Dwarf Flame Angel
Spotted Cardinal
Dwarf Zebra Lionfish
Sergeant Major Damsel

Which out of these would work together in a 30 gal, obviously the clown needs to be included (and I love the flame angel).

 

[Max]

I'd skip the damnsel they are evil . I don't know enough about the lion to say one way or the other but, everything else looks fine.
hth
Max

 

[Lucas Kane]

Hey there joycerino nice to meet you

My personal preference would be the dwarf/pygmy angle, because i had a halfblack pygmy angle and they are so much fun to watch and they interact with humans really well. He even used to swim right up to my face when id crouch down to look right into the tank

anyway that would be my pick hope it helps good luck

 

[joycerino]

As far as bioload and compatibility are concerned, what else could fit into a 30 gal. with a clown and dwarf flame angel?

Thank you for all your help!

 

[beatle]

I have a 37 with a midas blenny, ocellaris clown, flame angel, and a royal gramma. The midas took over 2 months to become comfortable in the tank, but now he acts like my cichlids, swimming out for food when I approach the tank. You could also get another clown of the same species and see if they pair up. Just try to get them small and of the same size.