Please help me decide!

[RMAS0934]

Hey all,

So it is time to purchase my first fish, and I can not decide on what to get first. I've been going back and forth with two different options, and I'm having a very hard time. So I hope you all can lend me your votes and ideas, or just knowledge to help me out! It is a 75 gal FOWLR tank.

Option 1:
Blenny (sandhopper or horseface)
Yellow Watchmen or Orange Spotted Goby
Lemon Chromis
Clownfish
Flame Angel
Dogface Puffer or Blue Spotted Puffer

Option 2:
Dogface Puffer
Harlequin Tusk - Australia
Tassle Filefish
Either Wolf Eel or Powder Blue Tang

What I love about the dogface is the personality (my LFS have a dogface and a wolf eel that are hilarious with great personalities. Although the dogface is showing signs of ich). If you all have any advice on these fish themselves (I have done much research but reading is different than owning) or on the lineups please do not hesitate! Anyway, the DT and QT are ready to go so thank you all fo ryour help so far!

 

[mniemann]

Option 2.... I have a tusk and they are beautiful and not run of the mill. They will eat snails and hermits but that doesn't bother me.

 

[eatbreakfast]

A dog face puffer will quickly outgrow a 75g tank, they get over a foot. They are both curious and aggressive, both of which are qualities that don't do well in smaller tanks. They are quite personable though and are a great pet, just not for a 75g.

In fact several of the fish on list 2 grow too large for a 75. Harlequin tusk and powder blue get too large. Having too many oversized fish in too small of an aquarium can lead to water quality and aggression issues.

 

[mniemann]

If you buy the tusk small it will be fine. I've had mine for over 2 years in my 75 and hes only about 3 inches. I only keep 2 others, a purple tang, and a blue ribbon eel. Eat breakfast is right though, I had a maroon clown that got pretty big and started going after the fins of the tang. He quickly found his way back to my LFS. If you blow up my avatar picture you can actually see both the eel and the tusk near the bottom just right of center.

 

[RMAS0934]

Thanks guys! I'm not planning on getting all the fish from either option. It was more choosing the type of setup for me, and then choosing a couple form either option.

I'm having trouble finding less aggressive fish with fun personalities. I did see the yellow head jawfish but other than that...

 

[Triggreef]

I'm not a tank size **** but I also think that's too small for some of those fish. I had a dogface and a tusk in a 125 and I thought that was to small. Problem is they get big fast and are very messy eaters. All of list 1 is good except the dogface imo.

 

[RMAS0934]

I wouldn't think that at all bud! I wanted to post, for one, because bluezoo has those fish sized for 75 gal or larger. However, LA has them sized for bigger. I would never put a fish/animal in jeopardy just b/c I want one. I'm glad to hear your opinion b/c Im here to learn before I buy. I appreciate the feedback!

 

[Triggreef]

Interesting suggestion for you. I say interesting because it doesn't pop up in my suggestion box often. Check out lyretail anthias. Can do a pair or just one, they are pretty easy and personable. I always thought they were boring until I owned one. They are one of the first to greet you eveytime, and they really seem to be inquisitive. They kind of watch you back. Hard to explain.

 

[Triggreef]

 

[RMAS0934]

Thanks for the suggestion. I did some reading on these a little earlier and they seem really interesting. Everything I read said they would be personality in the tank.