Stocking a 75 gallon reef

[Just another reefer]

So I might get a 75 gallon in a couple of months and I’ve only had freshwater tanks so It’s probably going to have softies and some lower light lps corals. So I was wondering about fish I’ve done some research and was wondering if this stocking list below would work?

1 dwarf lion fish
1 saddle valentini puffer
1 kole tang
1 coral beauty angel fish
1 Midas bleny
2 oc clown fish
2 Bangai cardinal
And maybe some disbar anthians

I’am aware that these can bother corals so if they do they’re going back to my lfs.

Thanks.

 

[SighKenny]

your lionfish would eat every single fish besides the tang, puffer, and angelfish. not too sure about the blenny

 

[Just another reefer]

I’ve done some research the lion most likely should be fine if I get decent clowns and decent size cardinals and anyway I was wondering about bioload. But I should probably tell you my filters\power head
2 aquaclear 110
1 Nero 5

 

[Just another reefer]

Bump

 

[Pbh-reef]

To me that seems like close to max capacity for fish when you include a group of anthias and a lionfish. I would suggest stocking slowly and keep an eye on both aggression and tank parameters to see if you're at your tank's max capacity either in terms of aggression or biofiltration. Its easier to add to to the biofiltration export capacity of a tank (more export media like matrix, a bigger skimmer, a fuge, more water changes) than it is to address aggression without removing a fish.

I also think the lion isn't a great choice partly because it may eat the smaller fish but mostly because it will be hard to feed with such aggressive eaters in the tank (puffers and tangs are voracious eaters and fast). @lion king will be better able to advise you there.

One group of fish totally unrepresented in your list is wrasses - I would suggest considering some of the easy and beautiful wrasses, like the yellow "coris" or the melanarus wrasse if you have sand.

 

[Pbh-reef]

this build thread seems like a good one for you to look at, doesn't seem too different from what you hope to accomplish

Build Thread - WV Reefer’s 75 Gallon Big and Dirty

This tank was established in June 2017 and is about to turn a year old. It was formerly a planted freshwater tank, but then I just had to have another reef so it was converted. :) Build Info- BRS Dry Pukani Rock CaribSea Fiji Pink Sand Equipment: VorTech MP40 x 2 Aqueon Pro 200 Heater...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Jesterrace]

I would skip the Dwarf Lion, to me it's not worth it between the potential for eating other smaller fish as well as all the venomous spines. I feel that they either belong in dedicated tanks or tanks with other predators. I suppose as a compromise you could go with a Fu Manchu Lion (stays the smallest of the bunch at around 4 inches max).

 

[MERKEY]

I am interested to follow this along!

I just set up our second tank and it's a 75g. Nothing in it yet and wont be for a little bit but I'm interested to see how all of your fish coexist. It could influence a decision or 2 lol

 

[JohnnyKnuckles]

That Dwarf Lion is gonna make you real mad at some point. That one of those that's amazing but it a roll of the dice. Vegas odds say nooooo.

 

[lion king]

You know lionfish are my thing, I just don't like the dwarfs or medium bodied lions in very busy tanks. My lions would dispatch the anthias, cardinals, and depending on the type the clowns, probably the clowns. The midas blenny gets huge and obviously the other fish would be fine in that regard. My concern is the care of the lion, most people think they get the feeding challenges, but they really don't and the lion pays for it, usually in short order. Please visit the Predator Discussion and read through some of the post to see if a dwarf lion is really for you.

 

[Just another reefer]

Ok thanks everyone I’ll probably skip the lion and check some other fish out any suggestions

 

[mattzang]

as long as there's no lionfish in there i'd recommend wrasses. some are too big for a 75, but you should be good for quite a few of them. halichoeres will cruise the tank and hunt pods and pests. fairy and flashers will be more open water swimmers. if you have a good lfs that can get you leopard or tamarin wrasses those are cool too, but those are a lot higher on the difficulty list

i'd also get some basslets and/or assessors. they're a little more reclusive, but you don't have many rock based fish

or if you don't dig the basslets, an orchid dottyback + a couple chrysiptera damsels

 

[Just another reefer]

Update on the stock list I’am thinking any suggestions that would work with this

2 oc clown fish
2 cardinal
1 Midas blenny
3 dispar anthians
1 Kole tang
1coral beauty angel
1 saddle puffer
1 melanarus wrasse

 

[Jesterrace]

That is a great list. Melanurus can drive you batty with inverts but make up for it with color and personality. Had mine for 2 years now and I love having it.

Here is mine now:

 

[Just another reefer]

Anything else I can add to the stocking list

 

[Just another reefer]

Bump

 

[Just another reefer]

Ok this what I think the final stocking is going to be

3 dispar anthians
2 bangai cardinals
2 oc clowns
1 Kole tang
1 saddle Valentini puffer
1 Midas blenny
1 coral beauty angel
1 six line wrasse
1 royal gramma
1 Melanarus wrasse

tell me if you think this will work. Thanks

 

[pcon]

Lined wrasses don't play well with other labrids. Evolved's Wrasse Primer

 

[Just another reefer]

OK thanks