55 gallon stocking?

[SaltwaterWorld1780]

Hello, I’ve had a saltwater fish tank for over 4 years. I used to have a undulated trigger fish and 5 damsels. They got along great except the damsels and the trigger died most likely from a ammonia spike. However I saw that one damsel was still barley alive. I quickly set up a small 5 gallon with the same water with a lot of ammonia remover as his only chance. HE is still alive today more then 1 year from the incident. My question is I have been clean and maintaining it more so what fish can go in a 55 gallon SW? They have to be safe with a damsel. I was thinking a kole tang the damsel and 2 clownfish. Any suggestions? What’s your list? I also ordered a HOB protein skimmer because of another incident

 

[SaltwaterWorld1780]

Hello, I’ve had a saltwater fish tank for over 4 years. I used to have a undulated trigger fish and 5 damsels. They got along great except the damsels and the trigger died most likely from a ammonia spike. However I saw that one damsel was still barley alive. I quickly set up a small 5 gallon with the same water with a lot of ammonia remover as his only chance. HE is still alive today more then 1 year from the incident. My question is I have been clean and maintaining it more so what fish can go in a 55 gallon SW? They have to be safe with a damsel. I was thinking a kole tang the damsel and 2 clownfish. Any suggestions? What’s your list? I also ordered a HOB protein skimmer because of another incident

Also the only reason I tell the trigger story is to emphasize how important this one damsel is to BE Alive(three striped damsel)

 

[eatbreakfast]

Have you been testing the water regularly, paricularly for ammonia and nitrates? What are the results? What is your filtration?

Established damsels can be pretty aggressive to any new fish.

55g is too small for a tang.

 

[SaltwaterWorld1780]

Have you been testing the water regularly, paricularly for ammonia and nitrates? What are the results? What is your filtration?

Established damsels can be pretty aggressive to any new fish.

55g is too small for a tang.

0 for both and I have a cascade filter under the tank. Trying to remember what exact kind. I just said kole tang because people said it could do good because it doesn’t grow huge and if you don’t have a lot of live rock which I do. This is a FOWLR as of the moment....also this damsel is not the nicest lol

 

[eatbreakfast]

I'm sorry but you should have some NO3 reading, not 0.

55g is too small for a kole tang.

You will be hard pressed to find tankmates that are going to be able to stand up to an established 3 stripe. Perhaps consider adding a bunch of damsels, for a full and active tank.

 

[SaltwaterWorld1780]

I'm sorry but you should have some NO3 reading, not 0.

55g is too small for a kole tang.

You will be hard pressed to find tankmates that are going to be able to stand up to an established 3 stripe. Perhaps consider adding a bunch of damsels, for a full and active tank.

Sorry 5ppm I was saying I had o ammonia. And thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Shane808262]

Ok I know a lot of people say a kole tang won’t do well in a 55 but if it has a 4 ft foot print and you aqua scape right the tang will be fine. Most people like me cannot afford or are to scared to maintain a huge 100 gallon tank just so they can have tangs which to be honest will be fine if you only have one in a 55 gallon. That being said not just any tang like a powder blue can live in a 55 I am talking about the smaller tangs like the chevron and yellow eye kole. One off those will be fine just allow ample swimming room and don’t fill the tank up with live or dry rock to the brim. Be sure to get a small one though and quarantine before you add it for at least 30 days they get sick easily. Best off luck and do what you feel you is right you will get hate but hey it’s your tank and everyone breaks rules now and then but I have had manny kole tangs in 55 gallon tanks and they did fine I even had a yellow tang in my 55 at one point in time.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Ok I know a lot of people say a kole tang won’t do well in a 55 but if it has a 4 ft foot print and you aqua scape right the tang will be fine. Most people like me cannot afford or are to scared to maintain a huge 100 gallon tank just so they can have tangs which to be honest will be fine if you only have one in a 55 gallon. That being said not just any tang like a powder blue can live in a 55 I am talking about the smaller tangs like the chevron and yellow eye kole. One off those will be fine just allow ample swimming room and don’t fill the tank up with live or dry rock to the brim. Be sure to get a small one though and quarantine before you add it for at least 30 days they get sick easily. Best off luck and do what you feel you is right you will get hate but hey it’s your tank and everyone breaks rules now and then but I have had manny kole tangs in 55 gallon tanks and they did fine I even had a yellow tang in my 55 at one point in time.

You are suggesting a tang that gets 11" long for a tank that is only 11" front to back? That's a terrible idea....

 

[Shane808262]

You are suggesting a tang that gets 11" long for a tank that is only 11" front to back? That's a terrible idea....

I guess I am. I am not saying to go out and purchase a 11” long fish for a 55 gallon tank straight off the bat since that would be a horrible thing to do especially for the fish. I am saying that a kole or even small yellow tang that is less then 4-5 inches in size no larger will be fine in a 55 gallon tank if you are just starting out and want to try your hand at taking care of a tang. This is because by the time the fish out grows the 55 gallon tank in a year or two the owner of the fish will likely have upgraded there tank to something larger to better the fish and to make room for more tangs / larger fish. If not the owner of the fish will have realized that tangs are not for them and can rehome the fish to somebody who can provide the proper care and space to accommodate the fishes needs. But in my experience kole tangs don’t ever grow larger then 5-6in maybe one will grow to 7in but that’s one in a million. That is why I feel a kole tang can live out its entire life in a 55 gallon since it can provide enough swim space if you rock scape correctly you need to leave room to swim in both the front and back of tank. But ideally if possible it is best to have a tank that is at least 75 gallons or larger but a 55gallon will do. You will definitely need at least a 90 gallon tank however if you end up with a adult yellow tang with 120 gallon tank being ideal.

 

[Bellasmith]

Damsels are known for being very aggressive towards other fish. Thus, I only stock damsels in my fish my Tetra 55 gallon fish tank. But I'm going to stock some other fish that could be safe to live with damsels. There are some kinds of fish that can survive with damsels that I know and you could consider it:
Clownfish
Dwarf Angelfish
Tangs
Dottybacks
Bottom Dwelling Gobies