Centerpiece fish?

Pep shrimp and angelfish might nip corals.

 

It has been my experience that keeping Cardinals in anything but pairs is a bad idea. Especially if they aren't mated pairs. I don't personally keep but my lfs owner has 5 in her tank and the two paired pairs beat the crap out of the odd one out. I wonder why three of you have suggested 3 of Cardinals?

 

If you get shrimp, just be sure to run an auto-top-off. Shrimp (and other inverts) are especially susceptible salinity swing, during time of molting.


I agree, try to decrease the stocking list. If you want coral, I would not suggest an angel. They may nip at coral and you won't know for sure until you put it in the tank. It's really a hit-or-miss with them. Beautiful fish though.

Instead of this: angel, 3-5 pack of bangii, a cool bottom dwelling goby, a neon goby or two, and lastly the pair of clowns, try any combination of those listed below.

- 1 angel, pair of clowns, 2 neon gobies
- 1 angel, pair of clowns, orange spot goby (or similar bottom-dwelling goby)
- pair of clowns, trio of cardinals, 2 neon gobies
- 1 clown, trio of bangii cardinals (or pajama cardinals, but not both), diamond goby



Also, while several smaller fish is better on the actual health of the fish (stress/aggression in smaller tank dimensions) the bio-load of 6-7 fish in a 50g is still a lot.

 

While I have never kept cardinals myself, a trio or a larger quantity in bigger tanks (odd numbers) are somewhat common choice in SW aquariums and usually remain peaceful. I've heard of just 2-3 cases when this aggression happened as you mention in my 4 years in the hobby.

 

I've just begun stocking my 55, I started with a pair of clowns, next will be a yasha goby/shrimp pair. I eventually want a flame angel when my tank has matured some more. I was considering a six line wrasse, but also like the bengaii cardinals for their unique look

 

its a coral free tank, only fish and mobile inverts it sounds like. so no worry about coral eaters.

 

Didn't notice that. Thanks for the info.

 

IMO, if ya keep it to 8 of the choices, you practice good tank husbandry, keep your skimmer running, some clear FX pro or similar product, this is fine for a 55g, just add your angel last, and don't get to 11 fish.

Add these fish over 6-9 months so you can slowly monitor the tank and see how it handles it. More rock would help you a ton.
I'd say you could get by with;
1 angel, 3 pajama cardinals, a goby, a neon goby, and 2 clowns and be fine

Thats 3 to 5 top dwelling fish(depending on what hosts your clowns, mine get hosted by a powerhead up top), a mid level fish (angel), and 2 bottom dwellers, or 4 if your clowns take to an anemone.

Just go slow and let your tank tell you what is acceptable for it. But with a heavy stock, you'll need to do more WCs and run the skimmer heavy.

 

I would also just get a mated pair of cardinals, unless you know the gender of the fish.