125 Gallon Aquarium Stocking Ideas

[Chris’s fish]

hello,
I have a new 125 gallon reef tank that’s not yet set up and am trying to plan what fish to stock it with. I plan to run a sump and skimmer and plan to keep a mixed tank with all different types of coral. I want anthias, but know they can be difficult, so I may not get those. I would also like a lemon angel fish if possible. What other fish can I have in a tank like this and is a lemon angel compatible?
Thanks for the help

 

[nereefpat]

LOTS of options for a 125.

All dwarf angels have a risk of picking at corals. Lemonpeel angels are notorious for it, however....bummer, I know.

Anthias are great. They do present a challenge, as you mentioned. Which ones are you looking at?

Others to look into:
Smaller tangs
Fairy, flasher, and Halichoeres genus wrasses
Hawkfish
Clowns
Blennies
Gobies
Grammas and chalk bass

That should help to get you started.

 

[Chris’s fish]

LOTS of options for a 125.

All dwarf angels have a risk of picking at corals. Lemonpeel angels are notorious for it, however....bummer, I know.

Anthias are great. They do present a challenge, as you mentioned. Which ones are you looking at?

Others to look into:
Smaller tangs
Fairy, flasher, and Halichoeres genus wrasses
Hawkfish
Clowns
Blennies
Gobies
Grammas and chalk bass

That should help to get you started.

Thanks for the info.
I was thinking about either Bartlett’s or ignitus anthias.
What are some smaller tang species?

 

[nereefpat]

Thanks for the info.
I was thinking about either Bartlett’s or ignitus anthias.
What are some smaller tang species?

I'm not really an anthias guy... It's my understanding that bartlett can be pretty chippy towards each other, although they are hardy. The dispar/ignitus are a little easier going.

The smaller tangs I was thinking of would be:
Ctenochaetus genus, like Kole, tomini, two spot, etc.
Any of the Zebrasoma genus besides the two huge sailfins...so yellow, purple, scopas
Smaller, less aggressive Acanthurus genus, like lavender and convict.

 

[Jesterrace]

hello,
I have a new 125 gallon reef tank that’s not yet set up and am trying to plan what fish to stock it with. I plan to run a sump and skimmer and plan to keep a mixed tank with all different types of coral. I want anthias, but know they can be difficult, so I may not get those. I would also like a lemon angel fish if possible. What other fish can I have in a tank like this and is a lemon angel compatible?
Thanks for the help

Do you mean a Lemon Peel Dwarf Angel? If so, then count it out as it's one of the worst Dwarf Angels for Coral Nipping. All Dwarf Angels are potential coral nippers, but some are species have better chances of success than others. It's pushing it a bit with a 125 but if you want to you could look into the Genicanthus Angels (the only Angels that are considered Reef Safe):

https://aquarium-fish.liveaquaria.com/search?w=Genicanthus

For Dwarf Angels the 3 that tend to do better with Reefs are (keep in mind they are still a risk):

Coral Beauty
Flame
Potter's

It does help with dwarf angels to wait until the tank is established with algae growing and you supplement with Seaweed/Nori feedings. This gives them something to graze on throughout the day. Not saying they won't nip but it can curb it enough that they won't become a major problem.

With a 125 you have many options and I strongly suggest looking into some of the generally peaceful Wrasses (ie Halichoeres, Fairy, Flasher) as they add tons of personality, color and activity to the tank. I would also look into Foxfaces.

 

[Chris’s fish]

Do you mean a Lemon Peel Dwarf Angel? If so, then count it out as it's one of the worst Dwarf Angels for Coral Nipping. All Dwarf Angels are potential coral nippers, but some are species have better chances of success than others. It's pushing it a bit with a 125 but if you want to you could look into the Genicanthus Angels (the only Angels that are considered Reef Safe):

https://aquarium-fish.liveaquaria.com/search?w=Genicanthus

For Dwarf Angels the 3 that tend to do better with Reefs are (keep in mind they are still a risk):

Coral Beauty
Flame
Potter's

It does help with dwarf angels to wait until the tank is established with algae growing and you supplement with Seaweed/Nori feedings. This gives them something to graze on throughout the day. Not saying they won't nip but it can curb it enough that they won't become a major problem.

With a 125 you have many options and I strongly suggest looking into some of the generally peaceful Wrasses (ie Halichoeres, Fairy, Flasher) as they add tons of personality, color and activity to the tank. I would also look into Foxfaces.

I think I’ll pass on an angelfish. Is it possible to keep multiple species of wrasse in the same tank?

 

[Maritimer]

Absolutely!

A couple of flashers, a couple of fairies, a Halichoeres or two ... can make for a very entertaining aquarium. It's recommended to have only one of each species within those genera, as they'll almost always turn male and clash with other males of their own species. It's also recommended to use a Social Acclimation Box when introducing a new wrasse to the tank.

~Bruce

 

[Millimylilly]

Only get anthias locally that you see are healthy and eating readily. They often don’t do well shipped

 

[Chris’s fish]

Only get anthias locally that you see are healthy and eating readily. They often don’t do well shipped

My lfs always has some and they seem healthy. I know Anthiad can be difficult, but I want to give them a try

 

[Chris’s fish]

ok, so heres what i am thinking. Let me know if these fish are compatible, or if there are too many. also, the tank is now going to be soft corals and lps.

1 Kole yellow eye tang
1 yellow tang
1 powder blue tang
2 ocellaris clownfish
1 carpenters flasher wrasse
1 multicolor Lubbocks fairy wrasse
6 blue green chromis
2 cleaner shrimp
1 flame angel (maybe after a year or so)

 

[Gordon Marvin]

ok, so heres what i am thinking. Let me know if these fish are compatible, or if there are too many. also, the tank is now going to be soft corals and lps.

1 Kole yellow eye tang
1 yellow tang
1 powder blue tang
2 ocellaris clownfish
1 carpenters flasher wrasse
1 multicolor Lubbocks fairy wrasse
6 blue green chromis
2 cleaner shrimp
1 flame angel (maybe after a year or so)

If You haven’t already, avoid the powder blue, they are hard to care for, and VERY AGRESSIVE

 

[Zionas]

Yellow Eye Kole Tang- Yes.

Yellow Tang- Yes.

Powder Blue- Opinions may differ, some say a 125’s not enough for it long term. Consider a Lavender Tang or maybe a Convict Tang if it’s feeding well. Maybe a Mimic too though some have told me they get larger and may outgrow a 125-135 gallon tank.

Ocellaris Clowns- Yes.

Carpenter’s Flasher Wrasse- Yes.

Lubbock’s Fairy Wrasse- Yes.

Chromis- Some have luck keeping them in groups, others don’t. IMO Chrysiptera and some Pomacentrus damsels look better.

Flame Angel- Yes.