What next, everything with a purpose so far.....

[BryanM]

okay, okay, the clowns were for our enjoyment, but still a purpose

we have:

1 powdser blue tang
1 Foxface
1 diamond back goby (2 if the first one is alive and hiding, unsure)
1 size line wrasse (same, 2 if the first one is hiding, wife swears she saw the first one last night)
A bonded pair of snowflake clowns.... Best addition - they encouraged more socialization in the tank!!

we have a handful of corals and a red bubble tip nem that already split once.

Curious on suggestions of a fish that we might want to add next.... Oh, we have a filefish coming to hopefully deal with aptasia... But the primary reason, to me, is to add some color and fun to the tank.

Also, its a 425xl redsea, I'm trying not to add fish that will significantly outgrown the tank...

 

[BristleWormHater]

Flame hawkfish
Starry blenny
Not both they may fight for the rock space.
Not a fish, but a florida fighting conch, maybe?
Anthias
That's my best thoughts right now.

 

[Lavey29]

Also, its a 425xl redsea, I'm trying not to add fish that will significantly outgrown the tank

Then why did you add the blue tang and foxface to an undersized tank?

 

[00W]

okay, okay, the clowns were for our enjoyment, but still a purpose

we have:

1 powdser blue tang
1 Foxface
1 diamond back goby (2 if the first one is alive and hiding, unsure)
1 size line wrasse (same, 2 if the first one is hiding, wife swears she saw the first one last night)
A bonded pair of snowflake clowns.... Best addition - they encouraged more socialization in the tank!!

we have a handful of corals and a red bubble tip nem that already split once.

Curious on suggestions of a fish that we might want to add next.... Oh, we have a filefish coming to hopefully deal with aptasia... But the primary reason, to me, is to add some color and fun to the tank.

Also, its a 425xl redsea, I'm trying not to add fish that will significantly outgrown the tank...

Careful with the filefish.
Extremely docile slow moving fish, in with some fast moving swimmers and a six line which isn't the nicest citizen.

 

[traumamed]

Get a trio of anthias. Lyretails are pretty hardy and good first-time anthias.

If you're feeling adventurous and willing to take a bit of a risk, a dwarf angel like a coral beauty or lemon peel. Be ready to capture and re-home if you end up with a specimen that has an appetite for coral. I've had a few over the years and can anecdotally report no problems personally.

As noted above, the filefish will require an eye as well. Additionally, I've tried them before for aiptasia and found they had zero interest. Hopefully your experience will be better.

Consider trading out the PBT for a bristletooth tang of some sort, as they tend to be smaller and more appropriate adult length for your tank.

 

[vetteguy53081]

okay, okay, the clowns were for our enjoyment, but still a purpose

we have:

1 powdser blue tang
1 Foxface
1 diamond back goby (2 if the first one is alive and hiding, unsure)
1 size line wrasse (same, 2 if the first one is hiding, wife swears she saw the first one last night)
A bonded pair of snowflake clowns.... Best addition - they encouraged more socialization in the tank!!

we have a handful of corals and a red bubble tip nem that already split once.

Curious on suggestions of a fish that we might want to add next.... Oh, we have a filefish coming to hopefully deal with aptasia... But the primary reason, to me, is to add some color and fun to the tank.

Also, its a 425xl redsea, I'm trying not to add fish that will significantly outgrown the tank...

fLAME HAWK WILL GO AFTER ANTHIAS AND ANY SHRIMP IF YOU HAVE ONE
Blenny acceptable. Tomini tang, pyramid butterfly are good tank mates

 

[BryanM]

Then why did you add the blue tang and foxface to an undersized tank?

I am aware that the tank size CAN be marginal for both of these fish. But it is pretty close, and should mine outgrow the tank I'll rehome. It's not like I added a Naso tang that will 100% outgrow the tank.... But yea, they certainly could.

 

[BryanM]

fLAME HAWK WILL GO AFTER ANTHIAS AND ANY SHRIMP IF YOU HAVE ONE
Blenny acceptable. Tomini tang, pyramid butterfly are good tank mates

I have two cleaner shrimp I forgot to mention - Thx!

Tomini has been on the short list.

 

[PharmrJohn]

I am aware that the tank size CAN be marginal for both of these fish. But it is pretty close, and should mine outgrow the tank I'll rehome. It's not like I added a Naso tang that will 100% outgrow the tank.... But yea, they certainly could.

Sorry, but it's not all about gallons. Some fish need good swim lanes to exist peacefully. Especially that powder blue.

 

[Lavey29]

I am aware that the tank size CAN be marginal for both of these fish. But it is pretty close, and should mine outgrow the tank I'll rehome. It's not like I added a Naso tang that will 100% outgrow the tank.... But yea, they certainly could.

They don't belong in a 70g DT (with rocks) not 90g empty. They are typically in 6ft tanks not 4ft

 

[littlefoxx]

fLAME HAWK WILL GO AFTER ANTHIAS AND ANY SHRIMP IF YOU HAVE ONE
Blenny acceptable. Tomini tang, pyramid butterfly are good tank mates

Oh wow I didnt know they would go after anthias!!! Crazy. Just the flame hawk or all kinds of hawkfish?

 

[BryanM]

I've been online for over 30 years. I've got thick skin, i don't sweat much to be honest.

For those that want to be black and white about things, enjoy yourselves.

That's not me, if you want to tear me a new one because you think I've done a significant wrong, go ahead.

At the moment the PWT swims around happily. It eats algea. It feeds of the mysis I feed the tank. It feeds off the TDO food I Feed the tank.

The foxface? The same.

Assuming it takes 2-3 or more years for them to grow so big that they are too dang big for my tank I'll post, I'll ask, and I will give them to a new home with a bigger tank.

This hobby cannot be black and white. But I'm not far off, and some fish wont grow that big, some will. There's a huge grey area, and I think I'm in it. I have very intentionally NOT purchased some fish that will absolutely grow too dang big for my tank. But the PBT and Foxface are in that grey area, to me, to the LFS, etc, and again, if they get that big, I'll happily rehome them.

That will take some time for sure tho.

 

[BryanM]

Also, the both appear to be happy, nibble on things off the rocks, eat when I feed, swim around, etc, etc. They have places to hide, and do so when I add corals, gluing them, etc and are NOT at all happy when my hand is in the house

 

[Lavey29]

I've been online for over 30 years. I've got thick skin, i don't sweat much to be honest.

For those that want to be black and white about things, enjoy yourselves.

That's not me, if you want to tear me a new one because you think I've done a significant wrong, go ahead.

At the moment the PWT swims around happily. It eats algea. It feeds of the mysis I feed the tank. It feeds off the TDO food I Feed the tank.

The foxface? The same.

Assuming it takes 2-3 or more years for them to grow so big that they are too dang big for my tank I'll post, I'll ask, and I will give them to a new home with a bigger tank.

This hobby cannot be black and white. But I'm not far off, and some fish wont grow that big, some will. There's a huge grey area, and I think I'm in it. I have very intentionally NOT purchased some fish that will absolutely grow too dang big for my tank. But the PBT and Foxface are in that grey area, to me, to the LFS, etc, and again, if they get that big, I'll happily rehome them.

That will take some time for sure tho.

Did you invent the internet being online over 30 years? There are true hobbyist and there are others. Pretty sure what category you fit. I wish you luck.

P.s. I saw 6 shamus in a swimming pool, you're fine....

 

[PharmrJohn]

+1 @Lavey29.

The first, second, third and 101st time someone had concerns about the way I did things, I listened. I listen every time. Because someone, somewhere has made that very mistake and is attempting to educate me on the issue. If I know beyond a reasonable doubt that I am correct, I still listen, but I move on politely. That is one of the unwritten tenants of forums such as these. Especially where living creatures are concerned. We are, after all, stewards of all we keep in our tanks. We do our research, make the best decisions we can and practice good husbandry to ensure continuing good health and quality of life. Then we try to help each other out in an effort to combine our collective knowledge base into something more tangible. So, in the end, you can heed our advice or cast it aside. Ultimately, you need to do you. Best of Luck.

 

[EliMelly]

Did you invent the internet being online over 30 years? There are true hobbyist and there are others. Pretty sure what category you fit. I wish you luck.

P.s. I saw 6 shamus in a swimming pool, you're fine....

Look you’re right in regard to size but it is possible they are babies and he may upgrade. I started with a Red Sea 350 with a yellow and hippo tang and told everyone I would upgrade. I now have a 200 gallon. But yes OP if you’re not planning on upgrading it may not be right to the fish.

 

[Lavey29]

Look you’re right in regard to size but it is possible they are babies and he may upgrade. I started with a Red Sea 350 with a yellow and hippo tang and told everyone I would upgrade. I now have a 200 gallon. But yes OP if you’re not planning on upgrading it may not be right to the fish.

I agree, if you get tiny fish and have a planned upgrade to a large tank in the near term it is possible to be successful.

 

[EliMelly]

I agree, if you get tiny fish and have a planned upgrade to a large tank in the near term it is possible to be successful.

How you been?

 

[BryanM]

Did you invent the internet being online over 30 years? There are true hobbyist and there are others. Pretty sure what category you fit. I wish you luck.

P.s. I saw 6 shamus in a swimming pool, you're fine....

god dang bud, is there zero grey area in your game?

Nope, didnt invetnt the internet, if I did I'd a older.

 

[EliMelly]

god dang bud, is there zero grey area in your game?

Nope, didnt invetnt the internet, if I did I'd an older.

When it comes to fish habitat it’s pretty important for the overall success and health of the fish. I suggest going with smaller tangs… white tail or yellow might work !