What Critters do I want?

[mikelush78]

ok my 90 gallon reef is 2 and 1/2 weeks into the cycling process so I figured out the fish I want will be:
Yellow Tang
Blue tang - I chose the blue over the powder blue tang because it seems the blue tang is easier and has less of a chance of getting sick...
Flame Angel - Risky I know but man that is the sharpest fish I have ever seen and I have heard stories where there ok and some when they are nasty to clams and other corals. I know its hit and miss I think later ill have to take that chance

Now onto shrimp and this is where I am stuck. I like the coral banded shrimp the best and thought about getting a mated pair. But then you cannot have another kind of shrimp cause the coral banded can be nasty correct. So then I thought of having 1 cleaners and like 3 pepper mint shrimp and a pistol. That I would get the benefit of the cleaner station, the peppermint will take care of the nasty things I kill with Joes juice and the pistol for something different....

What would you guys do... Give me some tips... I have a red serpent sea star in my 24 gallon that will be coming into the 90 when its cycled....

Obviously need more live rock but I need more $$$$

 

[5xevy]

I have a pair of cleaner shrimp and they're really neat to watch. When I use the Python on my aquarium they come scurrying over and try to climb on top- no matter where I am in the aquarium they come over to see what's going on. If you decide on these, I would suggest at least 2 so they can make their little cleaning "stations" and work together.

The peppermint shrimp can eat your aiptasia, which certainly isn't a bad thing! However, it's not a guarantee either.

What other fish do you plan on having besides the tang and angel? (Those are my two favorite saltwater fish by the way.) The reason I ask is because it's common for pistol shrimp to have symbolic relationships with certain gobies, such as the yellow watchman goby. I think this would be cool to witness. They can sometimes be aggressive toward smaller shrimp too, but since you have a 90-gallon they just may leave the others alone. If you want one of these, I hope you don't mind the clicking sounds!

With Banded Coral Shrimp, it's usually recommended to keep either two as a mated pair, or one by itself. You're right though- they can be aggressive toward other shrimp.

It's really a personal preference. Do you plan on having any hermit crabs, or something similar?

I just wanted to throw in that Blue Tangs (assuming you mean the Hippo Tangs) are ich magnets just like the Powder Blues. I've also seen too many cases of HLLE with these over other fish, but I would put that blame on the owner.

Lastly, if you get the Flame Angel and it doesn't work out...I'll take it off your hands for you. Heck- we even live in the same state.

 

[WeeNe858]

its all up to you .. obviously with the cleaner shrimp you get more things...




and the yellow tang somtimes becomes aggressive so keep your eye out

 

[Dustin83]

I keep one coral banded shrimp and two cleaner shrimps in the same tank. What I have noticed from my shrimps is that coral banded shrimp is more territorial and thus like to "chill" in caves or dark openings between rocks. Whereas, cleaner shrimps are much more active and like to roam around the rock surfaces and the sand. I have seen them come in contact once and the coral banded shrimp chased the crap out of the cleaner. Ever since then, I have never even seen them come into contact and they all seem to do well.

 

[Germanman]

ive seen coral banded attack fish at the store and in clients tanks they all have diffrent personalities but they will guard there territory fiercely.

 

[Emg]

I'd get more than one yellow tang. They definitely do better in groups and will be more out in the open. If you have just one it'll probably spend alot of time hiding.

I'd also go with more than one cleaner shrimp..and if it were me I'd go with skunk cleaners rather than the coral banded...cool as they are...just because you get more of a benefit from the cleaners. It would be really neat to see them servicing the fish. I'm sure the fish would appreciate that as well.

Gobies are always a cool fish. With a tank that size you'd have lots of choices as far as they're concerned. A pistol goby combination would be very interesting...and if you get the cleaners rather than the coral banded...you could do that. I'm waiting to find a pistol for my watchman.

Great tank ! Have fun deciding on critters for it..that's one of the best parts of putting one of these babies together ! Definitely post some pics as you add to it ! :thm: