Stocking Ideas for 130g

[FlyingOctopi]

I'm getting back into the hobby after 13 years. I'm getting a 130g display tank. This is what I was thinking so far and would like your advice. What do you think I could keep? The higher on the list the more important to try to keep.

1 - Yellow Tang
1 - White Tail Bristletooth Tang or Powder Blue Tang
2 - Clownfish (least aggressive and smallest)
1 or 3 - Fathead Sunburst Anthias
1 or 2 - Shrimp Goby w/ Pistol Shrimp
1 or 3 - Reef Safe Wrasse
1 - Blenny
6 - Blue/Green Reef Chromis (for a school) possibly or are there any other fish that would School?
Possibly these
1 - Hawkfish
1 - Royal Gramma
1 - Orchid Dottyback

Thanks,
Russ

 

[FlyingOctopi]

Also any suggestions that aren't listed are greatly appreciated.

 

[Zionas]

What are your tank’s dimensions?

 

[FlyingOctopi]

60.5"×25.3"×21.7"

 

[Zionas]

Yellow Tang and Bristletooth would be a good combo. Not sure how well the Sunbursts do in groups, if they’re like other Anthias they can kill each other off over time but Sunbursts are known to be a somewhat more solitary species. I’d ask.

For wrasses definitely look into Halichoeres (more than 1 can be kept, don’t keep more than 1 of a species), any Fairy or Flasher would be fine. Refer to articles by a member called evolved in this section of the forum on how to mix Fairy Wrasses. I think some smaller Hogfishes like the Red Stripe and Yellow Candy are really beautiful too, not sure how they’d mix with your other wrasses though.

Chromis- People have mixed reports keeping them in groups. Some say 6+ work better, others say theirs dwindled down to 1 or 2 regardless.

Hawkfish- Which ones are you considering?

Blenny- Which ones are you considering?

Shrimp and Goby Pair would be great.

Not sure how Gramma and Dottyback would mix, ask.


Group of Dartfish- Zebra, Blue Gudgeon, Scissortail.

Pair of Spot Breast or Watanabei or Bellus Angels- I’m looking at this option myself. My tank’s dimensions will be somewhat similar to yours except I trade some height and width for length.

Smaller Acanthurus Tangs maybe- Mimic, Convict, Lavender

Marine Betta

Copperbanded Butterfly- Can be harder to keep

Smaller Roaps (deep water) butterflies- Burgess, Mitratus, Tinker’s

Assessors- Yellow, McNeill, Randall’s

Reef Basslets- Swissguard, Candy (expensive)

Foxface varieties

Cardinalfish

Dwarf angels

Some damsels (Chrysiptera, Pomacentrus, Neopomacentrus, Fusilier Damsels)

Xanthurus Cream / Red Sea Xanthurus Angel (Not sure how reef safe)

Firefish (skittish, not sure if species can be mixed but unlike the other Dartfish heard they need confirmed pairs)

OrionN would suggest a Powder Blue Tang and Regal Angel, he has 30+ years of experience. They’re harder to keep for many people like the Copperband Butterfly.





It’s hard to truly get a schooling fish in all but the largest of tanks. Some people have had success with a harem of Anthias but not guaranteed. Cardinalfish except the Bangaiis may be an option too. I don’t know how true the odd over even numbers is.

 

[FlyingOctopi]

Very helpful thank you!

 

[Zionas]

YW! Glad I could help.

 

[FlyingOctopi]

Do Basslets hang out in the rockwork?

 

[Zionas]

Most are very shy, stick to Rockwork, like caves and overhangs.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Welcome back to the hobby.

Zionas gave a nice list.

My list would also be Tomini (white tail too expensive for me) and yellow. Add them at the same time to help avoid aggression. I have both in my 180 and my flame tang that was added second attacks my yellow from time to time.

I just got 4 small ORA percs that seem to be working out. They are little, I am hoping they don’t grow to be aggressive but it’s a gamble.

Not a fan of anthias or chromis. Had both in the past. Zionas pointed out the issues. Some anthias also need feeding unkeep to survive. I have a male and female pajama cardinal. I think cardinals are underrated. 10 plus years and they have never given me any problems, and sometimes have had some eggs. There are different types.

Maybe Azure damsel, they are lower on the aggressive scale for damsels and can hold up again the clowns

Love long nose hawk fish.

Purple fire fish is fun, but can be shy and hide