first fish & planning a fish list for 120G

[Jlobes]

Well, the 120 is up and running and almost done cycling, that means that the first addition is soon to come. That has got me thinking lots about the future inhabitants and possible fish list for the 120 restart. Im very open to ideas and suggestions and hoping to get some solid feedback from the R2R crew.

tank is 120G(48x24x24) with a 30 synergy reef sump. 2 radion xr30, 3 mp40s(back/left/right). vertex omega 150, carbon/gfo reactors. you can find all the details about equipment and setup on my build thread.

Tank will be a mixed reef, heavy on LPS. Im a huge acan, chalice fan. Dont get me wrong, i love some SPS and acros, but Id be content with a dozen or so stunners, than an entire collection.

Obviously, like most folks I love super bright, fun, interactive fish. But im looking for a very well rounded species collection. Theres a few must haves and some "really want but probably shouldnt"(ahem, pygmy angel) on the list in my mind.

I love wrasses and hope to have a collection of quite a few(4-6). would be great to get a black tang or a purple tang. Of course, the requisite CUC.

Heres the "dream" list(* indicates on the permanent list, BOLD indicates already acquired):
-pair of very unique clowns, thinking mixed pair(picasso*, snow onyx, etc)
-4-6+ wrasses,(rhomboid, FLAME*, lineatus, LABOUTI and a few others)bold in QT
-1 tang: blk or white tail*
-pair ruby red dragonet*
-pair of coral croucher*
-a few anemone(RBTA*, lemondrop*, sunburst*)
-1 BORBONIUS ANTHIAS* in tank.
-pair of bimaculatus or ventralis anthias * if no conflict with borb
-hawkfish(longnose or geometric) might be cool
-helfrichi firefish pair/trio*
-Venustus angel(this one is pushing it, but such a cool fish)
-make some suggestions

Theres a few others, Im spacing at the moment. the list will continue to get refined and updated as the selection process unfolds. Im not balling by any means, but I will spend decent money on prime fish. hopefully, they will be with me for some time, and I may as well buy the best and be super stoked for the next years. Rather than saving $30-60 now and having a fish im not as "stoked" on.

Please feel free to make suggestions and comments. recommend specific fish or even a specific site/vendor. Im all ears(well, eyes). Thanks in advance for your time and comments. I look forward to getting some great feedback and putting together one heck of a fish list.



and heres a recent FTS, just because what good is a thread with NO pics.

 

[Devlin]

I would look at zoacollector. He has great selection of fish and great pricing. I got a potter and helfrichi darts from him. Ordering this week from him again. Fish came in packaged great and very healthy eating like pigs.

 

[Devlin]

I would look at zoacollector. He has great selection of fish and great pricing. I got a potter and helfrichi darts from him. Ordering this week from him again. Fish came in packaged great and very healthy eating like pigs.

Has great selection of wrasses.

 

[Devlin]

I would definitely get the lighting maroon clowns if you want unique. My LFS has pairs for 500$. While that's on the high side. They are grade A. And very tempting every time I go in. LOL

 

[Jlobes]

I would look at zoacollector. He has great selection of fish and great pricing. I got a potter and helfrichi darts from him. Ordering this week from him again. Fish came in packaged great and very healthy eating like pigs.

agreed, on the list of possible vendors for sure. along with, POTO, picturesque, LADD...

 

[eatbreakfast]

I would recommend against lightning maroon clowns, any maroon clowns, as they are the largest and most aggressive clown species, far too boisterous for the fairy wrasses on your list.

Bimaculatus anthias are stunning, hardy, but a larger species. Flavoguttatus anthias are smaller, but would be better in a group of 6 or more.

Lineatus, cf. lanceolatus, and lunatus are awesome fairy wrasses to add to your list and attenuatus is my favorite flasher.

Other suppliers to add to your list would be reefwise and ny aquatic.

 

[4FordFamily]

So I do not see any tang, angel, or butterfly shaped fish! What about a zebrasoma tang (yellow, purple, scopus, black, desjardini sailfin, or sailfin?)

Dwarf angels may work well for you, although they can be nippers. Butterflies often nip at corals, too. What about a foxface? Magnificent or One Spot?

I like longnose hawkfish, good choice. The wrasse suggestions by eatbreakfast are superb. I might also add that i always enjoy a melanarus, vroliks, and/or a yellow "coris" wrasse. They're inexpensive and full of personality. They may eventually eat some of your cleanup crew but they also eat reef pests and you can replenish your CUC annually without too much hassle!

 

[eatbreakfast]

I think black and purple tangs made the initial list...

 

[4FordFamily]

I think black and purple tangs made the initial list...

Did they? I must have missed them. It's early.

 

[Jlobes]

I would recommend against lightning maroon clowns, any maroon clowns, as they are the largest and most aggressive clown species, far too boisterous for the fairy wrasses on your list.

Bimaculatus anthias are stunning, hardy, but a larger species. Flavoguttatus anthias are smaller, but would be better in a group of 6 or more.

Lineatus, cf. lanceolatus, and lunatus are awesome fairy wrasses to add to your list and attenuatus is my favorite flasher.

Other suppliers to add to your list would be reefwise and ny aquatic.

I tend to agree with you on the maroon clowns, not my first choice, but the lightnings are cool. Might end up grabbing a lightning to pair with my now lonely Allardi clown, in the nano.

thanks for the wrasse suggestions, those are on the long list, just trying to narrow it down a bit. would love a flasher or two as well.

Ill have to check out reefwise(theyre chicago folks, no?).

 

[Jlobes]

I think black and purple tangs made the initial list...

somebody was reading.

 

[Jlobes]

So I do not see any tang, angel, or butterfly shaped fish! What about a zebrasoma tang (yellow, purple, scopus, black, desjardini sailfin, or sailfin?)

Dwarf angels may work well for you, although they can be nippers. Butterflies often nip at corals, too. What about a foxface? Magnificent or One Spot?

I like longnose hawkfish, good choice. The wrasse suggestions by eatbreakfast are superb. I might also add that i always enjoy a melanarus, vroliks, and/or a yellow "coris" wrasse. They're inexpensive and full of personality. They may eventually eat some of your cleanup crew but they also eat reef pests and you can replenish your CUC annually without too much hassle!

gotta have some of those butterfly shaped fish indeed! black and purple tang are on the list.

I know dwarfs can be nippers, thats why they are on the "maybe" list. I love the look and colors, but not sure i wanna risk it. A foxface would be cool too. hhmmm

agreed with the CUC comment. It need replenishing at least once a year. I suppose if i HAD to order from reefcleaners twice a year, due to my wrasse collection, it wouldnt be the end of the world. it would be worth it

 

[3dees]

I wouldn't put two tangs in a four foot tank. especially if one is a purple. I have the same tank, only sumpless, and as much as I love tangs, I won't add one. I just think they need more room to be happy and to keep aggression down. hawks are awesome fish. a one spot foxface will keep the algae down and is a great fish. never a problem with coral or other fish. a coral beauty is one of the best dwarf angels for a reef although there is always a risk.

 

[Jlobes]

I wouldn't put two tangs in a four foot tank. especially if one is a purple. I have the same tank, only sumpless, and as much as I love tangs, I won't add one. I just think they need more room to be happy and to keep aggression down. hawks are awesome fish. a one spot foxface will keep the algae down and is a great fish. never a problem with coral or other fish. a coral beauty is one of the best dwarf angels for a reef although there is always a risk.

wasnt planning on both, its a one or the other kinda thing. Its not a set in stone idea, just getting it all out there.

coral beauty is aight, but if im going with a "risky" fish, its gotta be amazing

 

[4FordFamily]

gotta have some of those butterfly shaped fish indeed! black and purple tang are on the list.

I know dwarfs can be nippers, thats why they are on the "maybe" list. I love the look and colors, but not sure i wanna risk it. A foxface would be cool too. hhmmm

agreed with the CUC comment. It need replenishing at least once a year. I suppose if i HAD to order from reefcleaners twice a year, due to my wrasse collection, it wouldnt be the end of the world. it would be worth it

Agreed

 

[Jlobes]

keep the ideas flowing. maybe I should get @evolved in here for a wrasse discussion. pretty much the go to source for wrasse lists/info

 

[Jlobes]

well, LADD has had a few pairs of coral crouchers, lately. Might swoop a pair and make them the first additions. They are mellow, peaceful and not too $$, for the first addition. LOL

 

[Jlobes]

I would recommend against lightning maroon clowns, any maroon clowns, as they are the largest and most aggressive clown species, far too boisterous for the fairy wrasses on your list.

Bimaculatus anthias are stunning, hardy, but a larger species. Flavoguttatus anthias are smaller, but would be better in a group of 6 or more.

Lineatus, cf. lanceolatus, and lunatus are awesome fairy wrasses to add to your list and attenuatus is my favorite flasher.

Other suppliers to add to your list would be reefwise and ny aquatic.

agreed. while I think the LMC are beautiful/unique fish, a bit too aggressive for my tastes/tank. Im really leaning towards a mixed pair, one amazing picasso and something else.

a single borbonius is definitely coming. trying to decide ona pair of bimaculatus or sunburst for the others.

the wrasse are gonna be the most difficult to nail down, I LOVE so many of them. maybe @evolved will poke his head in here and offer some tips.

 

[Jlobes]

list updated. trying to decide on the first addition. thinking a pair of coral crouchers and a CUC would be a good start. However, NYaquatics has some great borbonius right now, and crazy as it sounds, have had a thought about that being the first one in.

keep the suggestions coming, still refining the list

 

[evolved]

TJ gave some good advice.

Honestly, I hate giving recommendations; there are so many choices and what will appeal to you is a matter of personal taste.