34 Gal Display w/ Angel Stocking Opinion

[reeplay87]

About two months ago, I finally started putting up my Reefer 170 (34 Gallon Display) and it just finished it's cycle a few weeks ago. First inhabitants are currently on their final day of H2o2 TTM and seem to be doing excellent for the most part, although one may stay in quarantine for awhile as I can't tell if he has a bacterial infection or just possibly a burn from the heater that he liked to hide behind when I first got him (He seems to be doing much better now, but I've been soaking his food w/ meds just in case).

My Original Stocking Plan
2x Oscellaris Clownfish
Golden Midas Blenny (Currently in QT)
Royal Gamma (Currently in QT)
Either a Couple of Fire Fish or Chromis
Pistol Shrimp and Dracula Goby
Either a smaller wrasse or anthias
Cleaner Shrimp


Part way in to the build, my wife began to want to be somewhat involved with this tank and help pick out some of the fish, but she doesn't really understand tank size, tank maturity, or aggression. I feel bad because literally everything she wants, I've had to turn down. She really wanted a Foxface (like really bad) after the guy at the fish store told her it would work because it was small and they grow only as large as their tank. I didn't correct him in the store, I just politely said no, and got the Gamma and Blenny and a few other items I had come in for. Long story short I've declined every fish she has suggested largely because of aggression or size. At first she was just annoyed, now that the first round of inhabitants are going into the tank and we are beginning to discuss the next additions.

So far things she has asked for that I've declined:
Blue Tang
Yellow Tang
Bubble Tip Anemone (I'd be okay with this possibly if the tank had been up for awhile, but patience is not her virtue)
Foxface
Orchid Dottyback (I have 0 desire to have anything overly aggressive and have had one in the past that was the spawn of Satan)
Blue Velvet Damsel that looked like it was daring the guy to stick the net in the tank
Mandarin Goby (Not a single pod in this tank or spec of algae outside of the scrubber - not opposed, but I can't imagine the tank supporting him anytime soon)

After back and forth she's got three fish she likes and wants one of them, but again I really don't think any of them would be a good fit.

She wants either a Coral Beauty, a Flame Angel, or a Leopard Wrasse. I think all of them are beautiful fish, and ignoring the possible risk to my coral, my fear w/ the angels is they would be too large or aggressive in that size display (even replacing the smaller wrasse or anthias I had planned to purchase), the Leopard Wrasse again I feel would be too large for that size display.

Opinions if any of these would work without being stressful for the inhabitants and without drastically altering my original stocking list?

 

[Steelheader09]

I have a coral beauty in Biocube 32 with no issues. Had her for years. She picks on asterina star fish from time to time but that's it. She lives with a Frostbite clown, Splendid Dottyback, Yellow watchman goby. Also have snails, hermits, corals, and a pistol shrimp.

 

[Pbh-reef]

None of those fish are really recommenced for a 32g, as you know. You might get lucky or you might get a dwarf angel that nips corals too much and is overly aggressive. A leopard wrasse will be less likely to be aggressive buy really needs more room. What about a Smaller wrasse like a mcoskers flasher or Lubbocks? Neither are recommended for a 34 but it’s a safer bet? A cherub angel or starki damsel May also be more appropriate for the tank, though the cherub is 50/50 shot in terms of aggression/coral nipping too.

another idea- your wife wants to join you in stocking the tank-that’s great! Take some time to help her responsibly choose fish so she doesn’t just get frustrated. sit with her and look through the live aquaria website at fish theysuggest for a 30/40 or smaller tank.

some ideas that could work-
Leopard Toby puffer (reef safe w/caution)
Pair of azure or Talbots damsel (probably less aggressive than clowns)
Pygmy geometric perchlet
Long nose hawkfish
Pink streaked or Possum wrasse
Pair of banghai cardinals
Smaller basslets like rubre or swales


also- be careful with the gramma and Midas blenny, both can be more aggressive than their reputations

 

[OrionN]

You should reconsider Orchid Dottyback. It would be a perfect fish for you/her. They are not at all aggressive. You may mistake a Strawberry dottyback, which is very aggressive, for ORichie dottyback. Do you know the different between the two? Do you even know about Strawberry dottyback?

I apologize ahead of time if you already know about Strawberry dottyback.

 

[Streetlamp]

also- be careful with the gramma and Midas blenny, both can be more aggressive than their reputations

Ill second this point. Gramma and blenny are not a good match. My gramma constantly chases my tailspot.

 

[TerraFerma]

I've crammed my tanks full of fish with the best of them. But that is a pretty heavy load for 30 gallons and the more fish you have the quicker things seem to go downhill when there is a problem.

Any pygmy angel will grow into the size of their tank (stay smaller in a small tank). But they generally nip on corals and in a small tank that could results in some of your corals getting hit too much and taking damage.