Weigh in on my livestock selection

[flagg37]

I’m still early in my build but I’m thinking ahead to my livestock selection. The tank will be 96”x27”x27”. The aquascape will be on the minimal side; I’d say about 1/4 of the visual space with about 1” of special grade sand. Coral will likely be SPS dominant. If possible I’d like to have a couple clams and shrimp which I know may not be compatible with all the fish.

I’ve included the fish, quantity (1 if not noted), and my expected price on the list. I’m looking for any major issues you see along with cautions. Fish marked with an asterisk are ones I’ve never kept before

*Black tang ($700)
*Purple tang ($220)
Yellow tang ($55)
Achilles tang ($220)
*Powder blue tang ($80)
*Emperor angelfish ($125)
*Moorish idol ($100)
Lyretail anthias (8)($200)
Black cap basslet ($65)
Starry blenny ($20)
Red mandarin ($35)
Zebra Moray Eel ($150)
*Black angler ($70)
*Lineatus wrasse ($300)
*Blue spotted Jawfish ($170)
*Engineer goby (2)($24)
*Blue throat triggerfish ($100)

The zebra moray eels is probably the only fish I’m dead set on right now. I’d also really like the emperor angel and moorish idol but am skeptical that they will be compatible with the rest of the list. I’d also entertain other options not on the list.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Idol and emperor should be ok. I would stock according to aggressiveness and be aware of maximum size as some of these listed grow quickly.
Many of these also have different diet requirements.
Just a few things to consider

 

[mattzang]

idk much about anglers, but i'm not aware of any that are so small that they can't eat a whole bunch of the fish on that list. i think they like low flow too? @lion king

if you want shrimp i'd worry about the zebra eel and the trigger. i've seen people say that the zebra eel has pebble teeth so they aren't really fish eats, but.. they're crustacean eating specialists. so i'd look into that one

and the jawfish needs low 70s temps i believe or it won't last too long

i'd think the angel and idol would go after a clam, but never kept either so just something i'd consider

 

[lion king]

I'll stick to what I'm good at, the angler is not a good idea in this proposed tank. Their care and tank requirements are a bit more specialized that can be acheived in your tank with it's inhabitants. If you are interested in an angler they do better in smaller tanks designed to cater to their specific needs, with a selection of very few tank mates if any.

 

[flagg37]

Perfect. Thanks guys (@vetteguy53081, @mattzang, and @lion king), this is exactly what I was hoping for. I pretty much threw anything on there that I'd ever consider, and wanted to whittle my way down.

idk much about anglers, but i'm not aware of any that are so small that they can't eat a whole bunch of the fish on that list. i think they like low flow too? @lion king

if you want shrimp i'd worry about the zebra eel and the trigger. i've seen people say that the zebra eel has pebble teeth so they aren't really fish eats, but.. they're crustacean eating specialists. so i'd look into that one

and the jawfish needs low 70s temps i believe or it won't last too long

i'd think the angel and idol would go after a clam, but never kept either so just something i'd consider

The angler was probably my least desired fish on the list. I had no idea about the jawfish liking lower temperatures though. The last zebra moray eel did fine with my coral banded shrimp, but I was cautious with them. My biggest concern is with the angle nipping the clam and other coral, as well as the tangs being overly aggressive with the idol.

This is my first really big tank. Are there other fish that may fair well with those on my list that I couldn't keep before because of size?

 

[S2G]

I really like foxface rabbit fish. Your tangs are going to be the tank aggression problems. Now if you had a passer angel then it would be a different story. Emporers are assertive but not really aggressive from what I've seen. I have 1 tang and it loves just randomly tail slapping someone even though it had plenty of room

You're going to love the zebra. I would of got one of I had went 8ft+. Very cool attitude

 

[Jmas4]

I agree with @mattzand @lion king. An angler will require a specialized tank and the jawfish like cooler waters. I have heard moorish idols are difficult fish to keep. I have had an engineer goby. He was amazing with a ton of personality but I had to give him away because he was very destructive.

Good luck and happy Reefing

 

[vetteguy53081]

I agree with @mattzand @lion king. An angler will require a specialized tank and the jawfish like cooler waters. I have heard moorish idols are difficult fish to keep. I have had an engineer goby. He was amazing with a ton of personality but I had to give him away because he was very destructive.

Good luck and happy Reefing

Moorish have gotten so much easier- mist eat right away and live for years
Three years ago my pair started eating my softies, so I sold them. They’re still around

 

[Braves Fan]

The only thing that sticks out to me ,, is the Purple Tang and the Yellow Tang ,, its a big tank ,, that should help ,, maybe its a non issue as the Pros above didn't say anything about it ,,

 

[BayouReefer]

Powder Blue is very aggressive toward other tangs. I had to re-home mine because he would not leave my Yellow tang alone, constantly harassed him. Especially at feeding time and they hold a grudge forever once it starts it will never stop.

 

[Jon Fishman]

I think the tang on tang violence won’t be much of an issue if all added at once, and since it’s not 2 of one kind only...... basically like Clownfish, adding 5+ mitigates the risk of bullying/dominance

Angler can be added much later if small and the other fish get mich too big for it. anything equal to or smaller in size to it is fair game for it though

 

[Malifry97]

Moorish Idols are extremely difficult care. Have you had any experience with them before. If not I don't recommend them. Be prepare to buy plenty of sea sponges for them to graze on.

 

[Jon Fishman]

If you have a LFS with Idols that have been in their systems for a month or so, they are just like any other fish, but the “off the boat” mortality rate on them is huge. If a LfS has one in a tank and eating for a month plus, it should be fine

 

[JumboShrimp]

Several type of Banner Fish could give you the Moorish Idol 'look' without the worries. Just a thought.

 

[Malifry97]

If you have a LFS with Idols that have been in their systems for a month or so, they are just like any other fish, but the “off the boat” mortality rate on them is huge. If a LfS has one in a tank and eating for a month plus, it should be fine

Also moorish idol are extremely susceptible to stress related deaths. Tank moves can be hard on them. Not saying that you shouldn’t get one just be careful and do your research.

 

[mta_morrow]

I have my own opinions on the amount of tangs and the selection. 3 Zebrasoma and 2 acanthus doesn’t work well for me.
Perhaps @4FordFamily or @HotRocks can offer some well seasoned advice.

 

[Jon Fishman]

I have my own opinions on the amount of tangs and the selection. 3 Zebrasoma and 2 acanthus doesn’t work well for me.
Perhaps @4FordFamily or @HotRocks can offer some well seasoned advice.

I guess I didn’t look too closely at the types..... I don’t know if the number of them outweighs that, but I would absolutely try to substitute a couple out with different tangs.....

 

[4FordFamily]

It could be done but the two acanthurus are likely to single each other out. They’re some of the more aggressive acanthurus and very closely related. You might consider a third acanthurus but that’s stuffing the tank. (I overstock my tanks, be that as it may that’s one way I get away with mixing stuff I otherwise would not).

 

[Reesj]

Moorish Idols don;t tend to do well in stocked tanks as they like require large feeding if they eat at all. Not the best fish to try imo. Also the angel and idol might be a bit problamatic with the soft corals!

 

[Malifry97]

Moorish Idols don;t tend to do well in stocked tanks as they like require large feeding if they eat at all. Not the best fish to try imo. Also the angel and idol might be a bit problamatic with the soft corals!

+1also idol will eat any sponges you have.