First time setting up a reef tank (90 gallon peninsula)

JohnIsNewToReefKeeping

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Hello, I am a beginner in reef keeping and wanted to know if you guys could help me out with choosing the right fish for my system. The list is in chronological order from the fish I must have to the tank to the bottom which is flexible. options and thoughts are welcomed. (Not sure what corals I'm going to have but most likely a bunch of soft coral.
1. Fu Manchu lionfish
2. (2) Clownfish w/ anemone
3. Flame Hawkfish
4. Exquisite Firefish
5. Blue Tang
5.Coral beauty angelfish
6. Flame Angelfish
7.Red Head solon fairy Wrasse
8. Zebra Barred Dartfish
9. Purple Dottyback
10.Lawnmower blenny
11.Yellow Watchman Goby and Tire Pistol Shrimp
12. Lyretail Anthias (female & Male)
13.Two Spot Bristletooth Tang
14. Bluestreak cleaner Wrasse
15. Bigeye Black Bar SoldierFish
16. Chalk Bass
 
One observation. Do you want a reef tank? or a fish only tank? Because Lion fish aren't always reef safe and have compatibility issues with a lot of fish on your list.
 
@Bentonb Yes I do want a reef and the lionfish. The one I want will only get to about 5 inches.
 
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Lionfish will gobble up anything they can fit in their mouths so any small fish on that list, I would avoid.

Blue Tang is out as your tank is too small (they get about a foot long when they are fully grown and need a 6-8 foot long tank), Firefish/Dartfish will become food, the Coral Beauty and the Flame Angel will likely nip your corals and Dwarf Angels are really hit and miss for whether or not they will co-exist. The Flame Angel tends to be a bit more aggressive towards tank mates than the Coral Beauty. After having owned the Flame Angel (in the past) and currently a Coral Beauty, I would pick the Coral Beauty over the Flame angel, but that's just me. That Tang should work, Chalk Bass could work (may or may not be reef safe). No idea on the Soldierfish and the Cleaner Wrasse I would skip as many starve to death in captivity. I strongly suggest you spend some time checking out www.liveaquaria.com and use it as a research tool if nothing else. They are pretty accurate for determining minimum tank size for a given fish, reef compatibility, temperament, etc. They aren't infallible, but they are spot on about 90-95% of the time with such things. This will help you narrow down what goes in your tank and what is best suited for it.
 
1. Fu Manchu lionfish
2. Flame Hawk Fish
3. Regular clownfish pair w/ anenome
4.coral beauty
5. lemon peel angle
6 dispar anthias
@Jesterrace Is this a good combo?
 

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

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  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

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  • No.

    Votes: 26 37.1%
  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 3 4.3%
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