225g Stocking questions

[phillygeeks]

I am building a 72x30x24 tank which will be SPS dominant and most likely bare bottom.

I am playing with a potential stocking list and trying to get some opinions. I like the idea of fish in the water column and some around the rocks. I like personality and uniqueness over size.

My potential list at this point is as follows:
Zebra Dartfish (4)
Yellow tang
Bristletooth tang
Blue Hippo tang
Lyretail anthias (5)
Copperband Butterfly
Labout's Fairy Wrasse
Ocellaris Clownfish (2)
Midas Blenny

Looking at this I think having more fish that would hug the rocks may give the tank more balance:
Sapphire Damsel, another fairy wrasse, Yellow assessor, orchid dottyback. Any reason not to add one or more of these?

In terms of utility fish is there anything anyone sees I am missing in terms of helping for a healthy pest-free tank?

I have always been attracted to a group of blue green chromis since I got into this hobby many years ago. However, I read they knock each other off over time and I think I have enough fish in this list that will be found in the water column.

I am 90% sure I am keeping this bare bottom so that eliminates quite a few interesting fish.

 

[malacoda]

I can't really speak to the tangs or butterfly, but I agree with you in that several smaller fish make the tank seem bigger (I have/had fang blennies, anthias, fairy wrasses, a pink-streaked wrasse, leopard wrasse, yellow assessor, and a couple of shimp gobies in my 48 x 18 x 18).

I can also say that, IME, the fairy wrasses (well 2 of 3), assessor do not spend much of their time hugging the rocks. They're pretty much all over the tank. Not sure about a damsel being a rock hugger.

 

[phillygeeks]

Thanks. I had a Sapphire Damsel which very much liked to stick to it's cave or nearby. I read the more shy fairy wrasse's may stay near the rock, but maybe that is not actually the case. Appreciate the input on the assessor. I have never had one but I also read they will swim around the rock.

 

[OrionN]

I would put in several Fairy wrasses, not just one. Several Flasher wrasses too.
Consider a pair of Mandarin.
Laboute Fairy wrasse is a fairly aggressive wrasse, consider Blue Throat Fairy, Solon Fairy, Naoko Fairy. Eightline Flasher and Diamond Tail flasher

 

[OrionN]

 

[phillygeeks]

I would put in several Fairy wrasses, not just one. Several Flasher wrasses too.
Consider a pair of Mandarin.
Laboute Fairy wrasse is a fairly aggressive wrasse, consider Blue Throat Fairy, Solon Fairy, Naoko Fairy. Eightline Flasher and Diamond Tail flasher

Those are beautiful fish you have! Thanks for the input. I like what you say about the multiple fairy wrasses and will probably adjust my list on that...especially if I can find some specimens like yours! I'm on the fence on the flasher wrasses as I would probably want trio's of those and then I don't want to overstock.

My wife will be very happy to see your suggestion of the mandarin. I would certainly like one if I can find one that eats food other than copepods.

 

[OrionN]

Those are beautiful fish you have! Thanks for the input. I like what you say about the multiple fairy wrasses and will probably adjust my list on that...especially if I can find some specimens like yours! I'm on the fence on the flasher wrasses as I would probably want trio's of those and then I don't want to overstock.

My wife will be very happy to see your suggestion of the mandarin. I would certainly like one if I can find one that eats food other than copepods.

All you need is a Eightline Flasher and a Diamond tail Flasher (last 2 fishes Pictured above)
That large of a tank should have plenty of live food for a pair of mandarin if you seeded your tank with good live rock. Try to order at least some good live rock from Tampa Bay. These rock are really good and full of life in/on them. There are some aptasia, but your CBB should take care of them, no problem.

 

[OrionN]

None of my fish look like that when I bought them. With flasher and fairy wrasses you need to buy young and wait for them to develops. I can see if I can find initial pictures of those wrasses.

for your tank, 225 gal or so, 5 small wrasses is not so much bioload. Should do fine and minimal increase In bioload.

 

[phillygeeks]

All you need is a Eightline Flasher and a Diamond tail Flasher (last 2 fishes Pictured above)
That large of a tank should have plenty of live food for a pair of mandarin if you seeded your tank with good live rock. Try to order at least some good live rock from Tampa Bay. These rock are really good and full of life in/on them. There are some aptasia, but your CBB should take care of them, no problem.

Thanks for all the info! Very helpful. I am scaping the DT with marcorocks shelf. I have a bunch of live rock in a vat that I hope to place in my sump as things get going, so I probably wont be going with any gulf live rock. I do admit there are absolutely no pods in this stuff I have cooking in the vat, so it would be a bit before I entertained the idea of a mandarin.

 

[nereefpat]

In terms of utility fish is there anything anyone sees I am missing in terms of helping for a healthy pest-free tank?

Yes, you're missing a pest eating Halichoeres genus wrasse, like chrysus, melanurus, biocellatus

 

[OrionN]

Yes, you're missing a pest eating Halichoeres genus wrasse, like chrysus, melanurus, biocellatus

They all, the species mentioned above, require sand bed so can't have a bare bottom unless you can arrange for some sand somewhere for one or two. They are all good pest eater.

 

[nereefpat]

They all, the species mentioned above, require sand bed so can't have a bare bottom unless you can arrange for some sand somewhere for one or two. They are all good pest eater.

Oops. Definitely right. Sand is needed.

 

[phillygeeks]

Oops. Definitely right. Sand is needed.

Much appreciated! They are on my radar if I switch strategies with the sand. @OrionN seems to be the wrasse guru.

 

[OrionN]

I am not but the one the most experienced, but those with more experiences do not seem to answer much