Fish choices

[Redemption626]

Hello,
I have a 210 gallon tank I’m setting up with a sump of 40 gallons. It will have a skimmer as well so my question is after I cycle the tank my first fish to add I was think would be two clown and two Banggai cardnals or is this two much to start with in this big of a tank?? Other question about is about lighting and do I run the lights while cycling??

 

[Zionas]

You should be fine as none of these are high bioload fish.

However, not sure if two Bangaiis are gonna get along. You could do the pair of Clowns with a basslet like the Royal Gramma, a trio of Pajama Cardinals, or maybe even the two Clowns and a larger fish like a Foxface or Marine Betta. None of these fish are overly intolerant of fluctuating water conditions. You could also do 2 Clownfish and a goby / shrimp pair.

Personally I think 2 Clowns and a hardy, large fish like a Foxface or Comet would work perfectly to start with but that’s me. The larger fish can poop and give some nutrients to the corals. xD

 

[Redemption626]

Can I house a betta with the plans of shrimp (cleaner shrimp) and crabs in a clean up crew?? Also thought rabbit fish would be good to add when algae starts to form and tank is established?

 

[Zionas]

Make sure to add them before the Betta if you can. The Rabbitfish, yes, but I think if you feed them a good diet of greens early on (Spirulina Flakes, Sea Veggies, Formula-2 pellets and flakes, nori-they should love it) they should be fine. They’re graders but not grazers to the same degree as a Bristletooth Tang. The Bristletooth I’d wait until the tank is a bit more established should you choose to add one.

 

[Redemption626]

Ok May I ask what the meaning of “grader” is in fish talk, sorry still somewhat a noob to the language. Second of all was gonna add a bristletooth, yellow, and purple and yellow at later dates. But if I could get away with a betta with out eating my clean up crew I’d go one less tang for it tbh a magnificent fish imo!!

 

[Zionas]

Sorry! I meant “grazer.” A “grazer” generally refers to a type of marine fish that eats algae off of substrate and rocks in the aquarium. The Bristletooth Tangs are grazers. The Sailfin / Algae Blenny, as the name suggests, are also grazers. Centropyge (dwarf angels) are yet another example of a grazing fish. Zebrasoma (Yellow, Purple, Scopas, Sailfin, Red Sea Sailfin, Black Velvet, Gemmatum) tangs are also grazers but not to same degree as the Bristletooth tangs. They’re more traditional herbivores.

You’re mixing three Zebrasoma tangs with a Bristletooth. I don’t know how well it would work as I’d be worried about aggression between the Zebrasoma tangs. I’ve seen it done before on YouTube, but if I were you I’d be on the safe side and consult someone more experienced in this thread.

If you really want to mix Zebrasoma tangs, I’d keep it at the Purple and Yellow and get the Marine Betta in place of your second Yellow Tang, or get a Foxface in place of that Tang. Add the Foxface before the Tangs, as the Tangs are the more aggressive out of the two species. My personal preference is the One-Spot Foxface, it’s the smallest out of its genus at only 8”. Still a large fish, but the others can get to 9-10” with several hitting a foot long.

Yeah! The Marine Betta is a MUST HAVE for me! I’d say you should consult some other members on whether they’d be fine with a cleanup crew, but if you can get one it would be the best. To be more conservative, I’d do Foxface, Marine Betta, Yellow or Purple Tang, and a Bristletooth Tang.

All the best!

 

[homer1475]

Only problem with a marine betta, they are very cryptic. You won't ever see it unless your feeding it.

Typically a marine betta will eat anything that fits in its mouth, and inverts are a delicacy. While I have no first hand experience with them, when I was considering one, this is the research I found.

 

[Redemption626]

Ok my bad I screwed that up my plan would be rabbit, purple, bristletooth, and the betta for big guys if doable.

 

[Redemption626]

Only problem with a marine betta, they are very cryptic. You won't ever see it unless your feeding it.

Typically a marine betta will eat anything that fits in its mouth, and inverts are a delicacy. While I have no first hand experience with them, when I was considering one, this is the research I found.

That’s what my research said that’s why I didn’t originally include it just like I was thinking the fu Manchu lion as well was one I thought about!