7 Big Fish in a ~270 gallon system - Achievable?

[AbnormalReefer]

Hello all,

As the title says, would this be achievable bioload wise with a 270 gallon system? A 180 gallon display tank, a 30 gallon sump with protein skimmer, chaeto, and live rock, and a 55 gallon refugium with more live rock and macro-algae.


This is my planned stocking list for the future:

x3 Maroon Clownfish (Already have, don’t ask... long story but they all seem to get along)
x1 Quoyi’s Parrotfish (Still a maybe; heard they chew LR into sand; which I don’t want in a barebottom display; refugium will have sand though, so I could allocate the sand from the DT to the refugium)
x1 Sailfin Tang (Already have; around 6-8 in)
x1 Chocolate Tang (Already have; Juvenile)
x1 Purple Tang (Must Have)
x1 Yellow Tang (Must Have, unless I can find another fish that provides that stunning yellow which won’t be lionfish food. Lemon peel angel perhaps?)
x1 Blue Tang (Must have)
x1 Kole Tang (Not a must have but is only 6 in max and great for algae)
x1 Niger Trigger (Already have, will remove if any sign of aggression is displayed. So far my chocolate tang seems to be the bully and the trigger a model citizen)
x4 Green Chromis (I like them; but I wouldn’t be terribly upset to get rid of them/place em in the fuge)
x3 Lyretail Anthias (May reduce down to a pair if bioload is too heavy)
x2 Leopard Wrasse (Already have; a must keep as I love their stunning coloration)
x1 Fuzzy Dwarf Lionfish (Must keep; I just love him/her)
x1 Antennata Lionfish (At risk for eating some inverts and fish as it matures; may place in the display refugium instead as it matures)

Note - Both lionfish are weaned onto frozen

Will this work? I realize that regardless of filtration capacity the size of many fish will still crowd the tank. Here would be modifications:

Display Tank

x3 Maroon Clownfish
x1 Quoyi Parrotfish (Maybe)
x1 Sailfin Tang
x1 Lemon Peel Angelfish
x1 Chocolate Tang (As Juvenile only)
x1 Purple Tang
x1 Blue Tang
x1 Kole Tang (As Juvenile only)
x1 Niger Trigger
x2 Lyretail Anthias (Pair)
x2 Leopard Wrasse
x1 Fuzzy Dwarf Lionfish

Refugium -

x1 Antennata Lionfish
x4 Green Chromis (Maybe; I’ve heard they can feed off of copepods, which defeats the purpose of a refugium)

Thanks all for the advice

 

[Jmas4]

Imo, that seems way overstocked. Is there a way you can thin it down more?

 

[MSB123]

That would be ok for a 270 display and a 80 sump and 50 fuge. Not 180 DT.

 

[AbnormalReefer]

Thanks all for the advice,

What I could do is....

x3 Maroon Clownfish
x1 Sailfin Tang
x1 Blue Tang
x1 Purple Tang
x1 Chocolate Tang
x1 Niger Trigger
x1 Lemon Peel Angel
x2 Leopard Wrasse
x2 Chromis (If at all)
x2 Lyretail Anthias (Maybe 3 if I donate the Chromis)
x1 Fuzzy Dwarf Lionfish

The Kole Tang isn’t a necessity, but I would like one as I love their look. However, I’d much rather prefer a purple tang.

Antennata Lionfish can given to my friend who’s had an eye on it. He’s got big (180+) FOWLR systems.

Chromis I’ll probably donate.

Quoyi Parrotfish is still a huge debate for me

 

[Coralreefer1]

You may have an issue with your Zebrasoma Tangs displaying aggression towards each other. Your Lion May feed upon your smaller fish like the Chromis’. May have a problem it’s your Maroons being boisterous towards anything added after them. You will need strong filtration for the amount of waste excreted by the number and size attained of many of these fish. Nothing is guaranteed and you will just have to monitor your tank. Personality differs from fish to fish and also depending on your tank set up, size and other variables.

 

[AbnormalReefer]

P.S. - Would the antennata be fine in the refugium? I really adore his personality, but, I do know he may become a community risk to some fish and inverts if kept.

 

[MSB123]

P.S. - Would the antennata be fine in the refugium? I really adore his personality, but, I do know he may become a community risk to some fish and inverts if kept.

I have kept lions before, I would not keep one (especially an antenna, who get big and like lots of room) in anything under 100 gallons. So I would suggest against the lionfish in a fuge.

 

[AbnormalReefer]

I have kept lions before, I would not keep one (especially an antenna, who get big and like lots of room) in anything under 100 gallons. So I would suggest against the lionfish in a fuge.

Really? I thought antennata lionfish only reached 6-7 inches? Meanwhile, for fuzzy dwarfs I’ve heard from 4-6 inches. Not doubting you on the refugium advice, was just a little wowed at the antennata’s size requirements.

 

[MSB123]

Yeah. Antennas do reach that big, but if you think about it, 6” long means a spread of ~14-16”. That means that in a 50 gallon tank, 36”x18”x19”, it will barley have room to turn around.

 

[AbnormalReefer]

Yeah. Antennas do reach that big, but if you think about it, 6” long means a spread of ~14-16”. That means that in a 50 gallon tank, 36”x18”x19”, it will barley have room to turn around.

The more you know....

How much spread do fuzzies need? Since they don’t have the streamers of the volitans or antennata?

Besides the Chromis, which I’m strongly debating on getting rid of, do you see risk with any other of my fish if I keep the antennata around in the display? I know that my male maroon clowns are at risk as it matures. Leopard wrasse should be ok as they max out around 6”.

Also, what do you think of the modified stocking list above? Assuming I keep the antennata and discard the idea of a Parrotfish for now?

 

[SPR1968]

Well if your still wondering, I think I have more fish that you’re suggesting in my system which is a total of around 175g. I have pictures on my build thread below and you can see the different species

They all get on well together with no issue and I have a massive amount of filtration to take care of the bioload

 

[AbnormalReefer]

Well if your still wondering, I think I have more fish that you’re suggesting in my system which is a total of around 175g. I have pictures on my build thread below and you can see the different species

They all get on well together with no issue and I have a massive amount of filtration to take care of the bioload

Hi, could you give me your complete stocking list? I’m curious to see!

 

[ca1ore]

Whether a tank is understocked, just right, or overstocked is a function of two things: ability to keep nutrients under control (balancing input and export) and swimming room. The latter would be particularly important for swimmers like tangs, so an open aquascape would be important. Generally a pair of clowns is better than a trio. I don't keep chromis anymore - too likely to be uronema carriers. Anthais, particularly lyres, are better kept in small groups. Quoyi is a difficult fish to keep. It is generally considered moderate, but I think this is not correct and to should be an expert-only fish. It can be a problematic eater, and fares poorly in the presence of aggressive feeders like tangs. Otherwise, I'd not think your proposed list to be overstocked (heck, I have 120 plus fish in my 450).

 

[SPR1968]

Hi, could you give me your complete stocking list? I’m curious to see!

Sure, here you go

Regal Angelfish
Flame Angel
Coral Beauty
Yellow Tang
Regal Tang
Purple Tang
Chevron Tang
Freckle Face Tang
Kole Tang
Tomini Tang
Vampire Tang
Blonde Naso Tang
Pair of Blue Throat Triggers that have spawned on at least 2 occasions
Pair of clown fish
Magnificent Foxface
Laboute Wrasse
Lineatus Fairy Wrasse
Yellow Wrasse
2 Yellow Goby
Royal Gamma
Starry Blenny
5 Green Chromis
5 Azure Damsels
7 Lyretail Anthias
Neon Dottyback

And may have forgotten someone!!

 

[AbnormalReefer]

Sure, here you go

Regal Angelfish
Flame Angel
Coral Beauty
Yellow Tang
Regal Tang
Purple Tang
Chevron Tang
Freckle Face Tang
Kole Tang
Tomini Tang
Vampire Tang
Blonde Naso Tang
Pair of Blue Throat Triggers that have spawned on at least 2 occasions
Pair of clown fish
Magnificent Foxface
Laboute Wrasse
Lineatus Fairy Wrasse
Yellow Wrasse
2 Yellow Goby
Royal Gamma
Starry Blenny
5 Green Chromis
5 Azure Damsels
7 Lyretail Anthias
Neon Dottyback

And may have forgotten someone!!

Wow! Quite a wide array of animals. Something I would like, but I’d be scared of running out of swimming space!

What sort of filtration do you have running on that thing? Must be a lot to keep up with the bioload

 

[nereefpat]

Overall, I don't think your list is too far off.

I can't help you with the parrotfish...no knowledge there.

The three Zebrasoma genus tangs may be a problem, especially when the sailfin gets big. Your thought of replacing the yellow with a lemonpeel angel is a great one, as long as this isn't a reef. Lemonpeel angels are infamous, more so than other dwarfs. The sailfin may outgrow the 180 eventually. You can cross that bridge in the future.

Something I haven't seen mentioned yet, is that the Niger trigger may decide to chew on the lion's fins.

 

[AbnormalReefer]

Overall, I don't think your list is too far off.

I can't help you with the parrotfish...no knowledge there.

The three Zebrasoma genus tangs may be a problem, especially when the sailfin gets big. Your thought of replacing the yellow with a lemonpeel angel is a great one, as long as this isn't a reef. Lemonpeel angels are infamous, more so than other dwarfs. The sailfin may outgrow the 180 eventually. You can cross that bridge in the future.

Something I haven't seen mentioned yet, is that the Niger trigger may decide to chew on the lion's fins.

Hi,

I know that the sailfin tangs get huge. Person at my LFS has seen em at 2 feet in public aquariums. Eventually when it outgrows my tank (which will be many years) then I’ll figure something out.

Unfortunately my tank is and will continue to be a mixed reef... Do you have any idea on other bright yellow fish besides a yellow tang? I’ve heard of the yellow coris wrasse, but I don’t know if it’d fight with my leopard pair. Yellow gobies are out of the question due to the lionfish. I’m considering a yellow longnose butterfly or a foxface though.

I’ve heard rumors of the Niger possibly chewing on the lions fins. So far I haven’t seen that happen. Heck, I don’t think my trigger even knows my lions exist! But I will keep an eye out

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello all,

As the title says, would this be achievable bioload wise with a 270 gallon system? A 180 gallon display tank, a 30 gallon sump with protein skimmer, chaeto, and live rock, and a 55 gallon refugium with more live rock and macro-algae.


This is my planned stocking list for the future:

x3 Maroon Clownfish (Already have, don’t ask... long story but they all seem to get along)
x1 Quoyi’s Parrotfish (Still a maybe; heard they chew LR into sand; which I don’t want in a barebottom display; refugium will have sand though, so I could allocate the sand from the DT to the refugium)
x1 Sailfin Tang (Already have; around 6-8 in)
x1 Chocolate Tang (Already have; Juvenile)
x1 Purple Tang (Must Have)
x1 Yellow Tang (Must Have, unless I can find another fish that provides that stunning yellow which won’t be lionfish food. Lemon peel angel perhaps?)
x1 Blue Tang (Must have)
x1 Kole Tang (Not a must have but is only 6 in max and great for algae)
x1 Niger Trigger (Already have, will remove if any sign of aggression is displayed. So far my chocolate tang seems to be the bully and the trigger a model citizen)
x4 Green Chromis (I like them; but I wouldn’t be terribly upset to get rid of them/place em in the fuge)
x3 Lyretail Anthias (May reduce down to a pair if bioload is too heavy)
x2 Leopard Wrasse (Already have; a must keep as I love their stunning coloration)
x1 Fuzzy Dwarf Lionfish (Must keep; I just love him/her)
x1 Antennata Lionfish (At risk for eating some inverts and fish as it matures; may place in the display refugium instead as it matures)

Note - Both lionfish are weaned onto frozen

Will this work? I realize that regardless of filtration capacity the size of many fish will still crowd the tank. Here would be modifications:

Display Tank

x3 Maroon Clownfish
x1 Quoyi Parrotfish (Maybe)
x1 Sailfin Tang
x1 Lemon Peel Angelfish
x1 Chocolate Tang (As Juvenile only)
x1 Purple Tang
x1 Blue Tang
x1 Kole Tang (As Juvenile only)
x1 Niger Trigger
x2 Lyretail Anthias (Pair)
x2 Leopard Wrasse
x1 Fuzzy Dwarf Lionfish

Refugium -

x1 Antennata Lionfish
x4 Green Chromis (Maybe; I’ve heard they can feed off of copepods, which defeats the purpose of a refugium)

Thanks all for the advice

Yes- it can be done

 

[AbnormalReefer]

Yes- it can be done

Hi, what fish are in your tank?

 

[AbnormalReefer]

Whether a tank is understocked, just right, or overstocked is a function of two things: ability to keep nutrients under control (balancing input and export) and swimming room. The latter would be particularly important for swimmers like tangs, so an open aquascape would be important. Generally a pair of clowns is better than a trio. I don't keep chromis anymore - too likely to be uronema carriers. Anthais, particularly lyres, are better kept in small groups. Quoyi is a difficult fish to keep. It is generally considered moderate, but I think this is not correct and to should be an expert-only fish. It can be a problematic eater, and fares poorly in the presence of aggressive feeders like tangs. Otherwise, I'd not think your proposed list to be overstocked (heck, I have 120 plus fish in my 450).

Hi,

There’s definitely enough swimming room with my aquascape for tangs, however, the sail fin tang may simply outgrow that space since they reach anywhere from 14” to 24” from what I’ve heard/seen.

I started off with a pair of maroon clowns, a beautiful big female and a striking bright orange male. However due to circumstance I obtained a third medium size one and gave it a shot. To my surprise, after some pecking and curiosity, they all share their anemones!

Chromis started off as a group of 5 and one succumbed to uronema. However since then (2-3 months ago) no signs in the others. Would 3 be enough lyretails for a “small group”? 1 male 2 females?

I know parrotfish are definitely tough to keep alive in captivity. I haven’t had any of what most people would consider “expert-only” fish as my tank is still relatively new, unless you consider antennata and fuzzy dwarf lion fish expert only! (Which nobody probably does). However, I think I’m willing to give it a shot eventually. I can make a separate thread about their care requirements.