What to stock? (75g)

Will Milberger · Sep 11, 2018

I've got my tank up and going. It's a 75 gallon (Aggie Aquarist) is my build thread. So far, I've got some softies (6) for corals and an Orchid Dottyback and Lawnmower Blennie for fish.

Trying to get a feel for what to add. I know I want to add a Royal Gramma and I like the female Lyretail Anthias. I was thinking of a Bristletooth Tang.

What would be some of your suggestion? I would like to stay is the budget realm ($40 under), but something unique. You help is greatly appreciated.

Bob Loblaw · Sep 11, 2018

The Orchid may give the gramma a rough time. The female Lyretail will turn to male if its they only one and a 75 may a bit on the small side for multiple Lyretails.

Will Milberger · Sep 11, 2018

Bob Loblaw said:
The Orchid may give the gramma a rough time. The female Lyretail will turn to male if its they only one and a 75 may a bit on the small side for multiple Lyretails.

Thanks, I have a Splendid Dottyback, Lyretail and Royal Gramma in my aquarium where I work. The Dottyback chases the Lyretail at feeding time but that's the only time. I did not know they change. So far, the one I have has stayed female for the past two years. (AFAIK). This gives me more to consider.

Oshengems · Sep 11, 2018

Dottyback do get nasty when settled, but they work I have a royal gramma & dotty back in my 75g

This is my stock if it helps

1x Hippo tang(got him the size of a quarter but def too big a year later he’s up for sale)
1x Red head Solon fairy wrasse
1x Flasher wrasse
1x royal gramma
1x p. Dottyback
2x Maroon clown(gold nugget & Lightning)
4x Cromis( these guys gave my tank life)
1x chalk basslets
1x Potters angel(my price fish another reason the hippo is exiting I want him to be the center of my fish)

Edit: forgot my leopard wrase

Will Milberger · Sep 11, 2018

bronxreef said:
Dottyback do get nasty when settled, but they work I have a royal gramma & dotty back in my 75g

This is my stock if it helps

1x Hippo tang(got him the size of a quarter but def too big a year later he’s up for sale)
1x Red head Solon fairy wrasse
1x Flasher wrasse
1x royal gramma
1x p. Dottyback
2x Maroon clown(gold nugget & Lightning)
4x Cromis( these guys gave my tank life)
1x chalk basslets
1x Potters angel(my price fish another reason the hippo is exiting I want him to be the center of my fish)

Edit: forgot my leopard wrase

Those are some of the ones I was thinking of. Why do you think the Red Head requires a 90g vs the Blue Head a 75g? I like the Chalk Bass too.

Oshengems · Sep 11, 2018

The red head actually replaced a jumping blue face very similar I think they both do good in a 75g the only fish from that list I feel doesn’t belong is my hippo, aesthetic he’s a swore I’m my eyes he’s a tad too big for the rock work I have, everyone else fits the standard 75g tank good they don’t look cluttered when swimming

Oshengems · Sep 11, 2018

Btw my dottyback has killed a mutilcolor angel, fairy wrasse, a red face wrasse and would constantly square up with my hippo when he was smaller they do become a menace to new tank mates for the multicolor angel I had a crowd in my house witnessing this fish go BERSERK! But he’s been so docile lately idk if feeding 5-6 times a day has helped and I turn the lights off when adding new ones to let them hide and at least settle

eatbreakfast · Sep 12, 2018

I would not add a gramma to a tank with an established dottyback.

Flasher wrasses, zebra or scissortail dartfish, flame or longnose hawkfish are a few options.

Todvod · Sep 12, 2018

eatbreakfast said:
I would not add a gramma to a tank with an established dottyback.

Flasher wrasses, zebra or scissortail dartfish, flame or longnose hawkfish are a few options.

Could it work by adding the gramma first and then the dotty? I have both on my stocking list for a 66gallon.

Bayareareefer18 · Sep 12, 2018

I stumbled across a black cap basslet at my lfs. Went with that instead of a gramma. Very nice fish. They were pretty pricey on LA but at lfs was $40

I have a 75 as well. I also really like my tailspot blenny and flame hawk. Added three purple firefish with the basslet as well

eatbreakfast · Sep 13, 2018

It has a better chance of working out if the gramma is in first.

3 firefish do not work out together. At least one will be killed if 2 form a pr. If 2 do not form a pr, 1 will kill the other 2.

Bayareareefer18 · Sep 13, 2018

eatbreakfast said:
It has a better chance of working out if the gramma is in first.

3 firefish do not work out together. At least one will be killed if 2 form a pr. If 2 do not form a pr, 1 will kill the other 2.

That's what I thought but recently have had many here say otherwise

eatbreakfast · Sep 13, 2018

Bayareareefer18 said:
That's what I thought but recently have had many here say otherwise

Where?

Oshengems · Sep 13, 2018

Btw I had both purple and orange dart fish in my tank no problem at all they were both added at the same time and they would hang in the same area, forgot about my orange dart fish add him also to the list of the berserker in my tank the purple dottyback

eatbreakfast · Sep 13, 2018

bronxreef said:
Btw I had both purple and orange dart fish in my tank no problem at all they were both added at the same time and they would hang in the same area, forgot about my orange dart fish add him also to the list of the berserker in my tank the purple dottyback

For how long?