Fish order to build happy tank

[jetskiwilly]

Just put together a 90 gallon....2'x3'. Transfering coral/fish from existing 32 cube, lps mix. Going back and forth how to add fish, what order and when. Started with dry rock on 2 month cycle in bucket, +5lbs of live rock, cycle with lighton, couple cubes of mysis shrimp to keep up bacteria. DP tank has been up and running for 2 weeks, added one chromis 2 days ago to test the waters.

list
bristle tooth tang and/or kole tang......max 2 tangs...maybe just one
(7-9) chromis.....I like the schooling, cardinalfish are another option but 3x price
2 clowns - existing to current tank
black head blenny - existing
yellow coris wrasse.....or something that fits with others and moves around tank alot and will fit 90 gallon. Leopard wrasse if I ever see one in a LRS, yet to see one in real life.
coral banded shrimp...existing


its a short list. So who goes in first?? My "want" says go get the tang I saw at the shop yesterday....but my mind says tank isn't ready, get the chromis. Be patient.

 

[Dryan]

Be patient, and unfortunately, you probably want the tang last. Depending on which tang 90 gallons is probably only enough room for 1 tang.

 

[undermind]

I agree probably tang last. But that's simply because they're the only thing on your list with much of an attitude (unless the blenny does).

That said, I think your list is peaceful enough that it wouldn't be the end of the world if you gave into temptation and got the tang first.

The biggest challenge is probably the number of chromis you'll have to buy to get 7-9. They're sure good at dying. But once you've got your group, they're pretty tough.

 

[Dryan]

Follow up since the picture either wasn't there or didn't load. Love the way you have the branching structure set up. Looks great!

 

[JCM]

I have a very similar sized tank. I would definitely add the tang last.

I have a Ctenochaetus binotatus that is kind of a jerk. Bought it at 1.5", it's up to 3" now. I'm not convinced it will be comfortable in this size tank long term. I certainly wouldn't try a 2nd tang.

 

[i cant think]

I have a 4x2x2’ tank and also have a Ctenochaetus binotatus which is about 2.5 to 3 inches. He uses all of the tank however I dont think he’s too small for the tank but I certainly wouldn’t have another tang. I have 10 other fish in the tank but they aren’t as hyper as him. He isn’t a jerk though, but I have lucked out in some areas and gotten unlucky in others where all my notoriously aggressive fish are peaceful and the notoriously peaceful fish are aggressive to newcomers.
Definitely add the tang last though. Add the others first, preferably chromis and clowns together as they’re kind of related.

 

[JCM]

I have a 4x2x2’ tank and also have a Ctenochaetus binotatus which is about 2.5 to 3 inches. He uses all of the tank however I dont think he’s too small for the tank but I certainly wouldn’t have another tang. I have 10 other fish in the tank but they aren’t as hyper as him. He isn’t a jerk though, but I have lucked out in some areas and gotten unlucky in others where all my notoriously aggressive fish are peaceful and the notoriously peaceful fish are aggressive to newcomers.
Definitely add the tang last though. Add the others first, preferably chromis and clowns together as they’re kind of related.

I wish I had that extra foot of length like you. I dont think my Ctenochaetus is too big for the tank at this point, but I'm not ruling it out long term yet. He's not a jerk like an Acanthurus or Zebrasoma, but he doesn't really love me adding new fish.

 

[i cant think]

I wish I had that extra foot of length like you. I dont think my Ctenochaetus is too big for the tank at this point, but I'm not ruling it out long term yet. He's not a jerk like an Acanthurus or Zebrasoma, but he doesn't really love me adding new fish.

I assume you have a 3’x2’x2’ then? Still a really nice size and if I’m honest I prefer the smaller/medium tanks (3’-5’) Id love a 6’ but I don’t think I could ever find room for one. I agree that when I see aggression it’s nowhere near Zebrasoma or Acanthurus level, I find Acanthurus and zebrasomas will just murder no matter what species (Some say yellows are more peaceful but I don’t believe it, that could be one specimen out of 1000s in the world).

Also I realise I said “Too small” when I meant Too big for my tank. I’d still stick to the smaller species which include:
Ctenochaetus *CF* striatus (emphasis on Cf), Ctenochaetus flavicauda, Ctenochaetus binotatus and Ctenochaetus tominiensis.

 

[JCM]

I assume you have a 3’x2’x2’ then? Still a really nice size and if I’m honest I prefer the smaller/medium tanks (3’-5’) Id love a 6’ but I don’t think I could ever find room for one. I agree that when I see aggression it’s nowhere near Zebrasoma or Acanthurus level, I find Acanthurus and zebrasomas will just murder no matter what species (Some say yellows are more peaceful but I don’t believe it, that could be one specimen out of 1000s in the world).

Also I realise I said “Too small” when I meant Too big for my tank. I’d still stick to the smaller species which include:
Ctenochaetus *CF* striatus (emphasis on Cf), Ctenochaetus flavicauda, Ctenochaetus binotatus and Ctenochaetus tominiensis.

Yes correct, 3x2x2 roughly. I think it's a great sized tank, but there's always "just one more" fish I want. You know how it goes haha