Need more fish after upgrading to a 150g, stocking ideas?

[skywelker]

Hey guys, I recently upgraded from a 75 to a 150 and I need more fish. I currently have a Scopas Tang, a pair of clowns, a Harptail Blenny, and a Tanaka Possum Wrasse. Here are some of my initial thoughts on what to add but I'd love input as there are so many fish that I am unaware of (the Possum Wrasse was a recommendation from R2R and I love it!):

Trio of Pyramind Butterflyfish

Tangs (thinking maybe 2 of the following):
-Convict Tang
-Whitetail Bristletooth Tang
-Blue eyed Tang
-Kole Tang
-Chevron Tang
-Atlantic Blue Tang (this would be my number 1 choice but I'm not sure a 150 is big enough long term)

Wrasses (this is where I struggle as there are so many choices):
-Naoko Fairy Wrasse
-Exquisite Fairy Wrasse
-Flame Wrasse

I'm certainly open to other suggestions.

As far as adding them I'm thinking it would be Butterflies first then Wrasses and Tangs if I went this route. I know there will be some aggression but I'd like to avoid WW3 as a peaceful tank is preferable. Thanks!

 

[pgsonier]

Hey guys, I recently upgraded from a 75 to a 150 and I need more fish. I currently have a Scopas Tang, a pair of clowns, a Harptail Blenny, and a Tanaka Possum Wrasse. Here are some of my initial thoughts on what to add but I'd love input as there are so many fish that I am unaware of (the Possum Wrasse was a recommendation from R2R and I love it!):

Trio of Pyramind Butterflyfish

Tangs (thinking maybe 2 of the following):
-Convict Tang
-Whitetail Bristletooth Tang
-Blue eyed Tang
-Kole Tang
-Chevron Tang
-Atlantic Blue Tang (this would be my number 1 choice but I'm not sure a 150 is big enough long term)

Wrasses (this is where I struggle as there are so many choices):
-Naoko Fairy Wrasse
-Exquisite Fairy Wrasse
-Flame Wrasse

I'm certainly open to other suggestions.

As far as adding them I'm thinking it would be Butterflies first then Wrasses and Tangs if I went this route. I know there will be some aggression but I'd like to avoid WW3 as a peaceful tank is preferable. Thanks!

If I had a tank that big, I would definitely put a Queen Angel in there as the crowning jewel, but that's just me! I love the Chevron Tang though, or even a Purple Tang!

 

[Zionas]

I must disagree. Queen Angels (Holacanthus) get huge. 10 foot tank.

 

[Zionas]

I must disagree. Queen Angels (Holacanthus) get huge. 10 foot tank.

 

[Zionas]

x1 Scopas Tang

x3 Yellow Pyramid Butterflyfish

x2 Ocellaris Clownfish

x1 Pink Possum Wrasse

x1 Harp Tail Blenny

x1 Yellow Eye Kole Tang

x1 Convict Tang

x3-4 Fairy / Flasher Wrasses

x1 Yellow Watchman (or another Shrimp Goby with a Pistol Shrimp- Randall’s preferred)

x1 Yellow Coris Wrasse

x1 Melanurus / Vrolik’s Wrasse

x1 Red Lined / Adorned / Claudia’s / Two Tone / Timor / Red Head / Grey Head Wrasse

All basslets would be OK. Royal Gramma, Black Cap, Swissguard, Swales, one of the Assessor Basslets.

Marine Betta.


Small group of Chalk Bass.

Lyretail or Bartlett’s Anthias (Anthias are a bit harder).

Small group of Azure, Talbot’s, Tracey’s, Rolland’s, or Springer’s Damsels.

Small group of Pajama or Yellow Striped Cardinalfish.

Dwarf angels (Coral Beauty, Flame, Atlantic Cherub, Fireball, Fisher’s)

Blue Throat Triggerfish.

Alternative to 2 more tangs would be a pair of Spotbreast, Bellus, or Watanabei’s Angelfish.

Depending on how much you care about your ornamental shrimp and crabs etc.: Flame Hawkfish, Long Nose Hawkfish, maybe Falco too.

Small group of Scissortail, Zebra, or Blue Gudgeon Dartfish.


Is it a 6’ tank?

 

[Angel_Anthias lover]

As far as the fairy wrasses are concerned, the naokos is considered one of the meanest, and will most likely cause problems with other fairy wrasses and flasher wrasses, and other open water swimmers

 

[skywelker]

If I had a tank that big, I would definitely put a Queen Angel in there as the crowning jewel, but that's just me! I love the Chevron Tang though, or even a Purple Tang!

Thanks for the suggestion! I probably should have mentioned this is a mixed reef tank so I think that leaves many angels out

 

[skywelker]

x1 Scopas Tang

x3 Yellow Pyramid Butterflyfish

x2 Ocellaris Clownfish

x1 Pink Possum Wrasse

x1 Harp Tail Blenny

x1 Yellow Eye Kole Tang

x1 Convict Tang

x3-4 Fairy / Flasher Wrasses

x1 Yellow Watchman (or another Shrimp Goby with a Pistol Shrimp- Randall’s preferred)

x1 Yellow Coris Wrasse

x1 Melanurus / Vrolik’s Wrasse

x1 Red Lined / Adorned / Claudia’s / Two Tone / Timor / Red Head / Grey Head Wrasse

All basslets would be OK. Royal Gramma, Black Cap, Swissguard, Swales, one of the Assessor Basslets.

Marine Betta.


Small group of Chalk Bass.

Lyretail or Bartlett’s Anthias (Anthias are a bit harder).

Small group of Azure, Talbot’s, Tracey’s, Rolland’s, or Springer’s Damsels.

Small group of Pajama or Yellow Striped Cardinalfish.

Dwarf angels (Coral Beauty, Flame, Atlantic Cherub, Fireball, Fisher’s)

Blue Throat Triggerfish.

Alternative to 2 more tangs would be a pair of Spotbreast, Bellus, or Watanabei’s Angelfish.

Depending on how much you care about your ornamental shrimp and crabs etc.: Flame Hawkfish, Long Nose Hawkfish, maybe Falco too.

Small group of Scissortail, Zebra, or Blue Gudgeon Dartfish.


Is it a 6’ tank?

Thank you, awesome info! I will look into these as there are some I am unfamiliar with. I have no ornamental shrimp or crabs, just snails and hermits, so it sounds like there are even more options. I have thought about anthias but am usually only home to feed once a day. Would they require any additional care beyond simply adding an autofeeder? I've been thinking of adding one anyways.

The tank is 5'x2'x2'.

 

[skywelker]

As far as the fairy wrasses are concerned, the naokos is considered one of the meanest, and will most likely cause problems with other fairy wrasses and flasher wrasses, and other open water swimmers

Great info to have, sounds like this may be one to skip since that is exactly what I am trying to avoid, thanks!

 

[Zionas]

Hey man! The Anthias may benefit from an auto feeder as they need several feedings a day to stay healthy but the rest should just do fine with a normal feeding schedule! Glad I could help!

 

[skywelker]

Hey man! The Anthias may benefit from an auto feeder as they need several feedings a day to stay healthy but the rest should just do fine with a normal feeding schedule! Glad I could help!

Great info, thanks again!

 

[DeniseAndy]

What is the footprint of the 150g? An Atlantic tang would be too big. Most tangs will be too big for this tank. A Kole, Tomini or Yellow/Purple would be okay, not ideal.
Do you have sand? I can think of some good wrasses, but curious if you have sand.
If you like movement, some damsels are great. Azure, Talbots are good for movement and peaceful.

 

[skywelker]

What is the footprint of the 150g? An Atlantic tang would be too big. Most tangs will be too big for this tank. A Kole, Tomini or Yellow/Purple would be okay, not ideal.
Do you have sand? I can think of some good wrasses, but curious if you have sand.
If you like movement, some damsels are great. Azure, Talbots are good for movement and peaceful.

Thanks for the suggestions!

The tank does have sand (special grade), I should have mentioned that earlier as I know it's a requirement for some wrasses.

The dimensions are 5'x2'x2'. I like purple and yellow tangs a lot but I left them off the list as I already have the Scopas and was trying to avoid mixing Zebrasomas.

 

[Kryptonian]

Agreed, a Wrasse needs sand. They burrow pretty deep to sleep. Mine go at least 2-3" in there. +1 on a Melanurus Wrasse and also Earmuff Wrasse. They have both been very peaceful for me and have a nice tank presence swimming around.
Hard to get a good pic of the Melanurus, won't sit still.

Damsels are good too but gotta make sure not to get an aggressive one. Mine has some serious attitude! standard blue damsel.

Also +1 on the dwarf Flame Angel. Peaceful and cleans up the rocks. I haven't seen him pick at any corals ever but I think that's hit or miss getting one that nips.

 

[skywelker]

Agreed, a Wrasse needs sand. They burrow pretty deep to sleep. Mine go at least 2-3" in there. +1 on a Melanurus Wrasse and also Earmuff Wrasse. They have both been very peaceful for me and have a nice tank presence swimming around.
Hard to get a good pic of the Melanurus, won't sit still.

Damsels are good too but gotta make sure not to get an aggressive one. Mine has some serious attitude! standard blue damsel.

Also +1 on the dwarf Flame Angel. Peaceful and cleans up the rocks. I haven't seen him pick at any corals ever but I think that's hit or miss getting one that nips.

Thanks for the suggestions. Love the look of the Earmuff Wrasse!! I will do some more research but that one may end up on the list

 

[Zionas]

A 5-2-2 would be best off only housing a Tomini, Koles Squaretail, or White Tail Bristletooth. Maybe a Yellow. Purple gets larger than the Yellow so I’d put one in a 6’. Gem, Black Tangs belong in a 6’. Both types of Sailfin really needs an 8’, 10’ even better. An Atlantic Blue, Pacific Blue etc. get too big for a 5’, 6’ tank, long term a species like the Pacific Blue needs an 8’ to thrive.

 

[DeniseAndy]

Scopas instead is fine for tangs. I have an ear muff wrasse and so far love it. It is still in qt, but she is so tiny I cannot add her to the 210g yet. I have also had christmas wrasse (bully if you get the hawaiian). Mystery wrasses are great. Solorensis are great wrasses too.
Maybe a yellow coris wrasse to add some yellow.
Blennies have great personalities too. I love the lawnmower blennies. Great part of clean up and so funny.
Dottybacks just have one unless it is an indigo. I had three for years. Otherwise, they are best alone.

 

[Zionas]

Hey Denise, I love the Mystery but I’m worried about it bothering more peaceful fish. What had your experience been?

 

[DeniseAndy]

Mine never bothered anyone. Very peaceful and passive really. No issues with additions to tank either. Just a good all around fish. Maybe I got lucky with mine.

 

[Zionas]

It’s a beautiful fish indeed. How did it get along with your other wrasses?