Stocking a 55 gallon tank?

Well I finally completed my stand/canopy. This will be mainly an SPS tank (transferring all my SPS from my 20). I would like some input on fish for this tank.

I would like a pair of clowns (I have a tank raised perc.) and will probably add a second one in the transfer. I also have a blue damsel that is pretty buddy-buddy with the clown, so I may add him too.

What are some good wrasses that are relatively easy to find? I like the sixline, but some people seem to have reservations about them.

I was thinking about adding a Yellow-eye Kole tang.

Any Goby suggestions?

Any other suggestions?

 

Here's a cool video for utility
YouTube

Any types of fairy wrasse and flasher wrasse are nice. Also yellow wrasse are reef safe too.

All manner of gobies and blennies are fine (except for some less known ones)

Basslets are cool.

I think the tang is too big for the tank but not completely sure.

You could get...

Firefish

Chromis

Cardinals

Small angels

 

I would agree about the tang - they generally need more space. You might be able to get away with a small or juvenile one for a period of time, but ultimately, they would outgrow the space.

In addition to Toby's suggestions, you might try a Royal Gramma, or some of the Dottybacks. A Scooter Blenny would work well, as long as they are trained on frozen, and/or you have enough life in the tank to keep them sustained.

Maybe some of the smaller cardinal fish out there?

 

For wrasse in a 55, you could do a Flasher Wrasse or two, a Possum Wrasse, or a couple smaller Fairy Wrasse. Stay away from Sixlines. See this post for when I asked about Fairy Wrasse for a 55: http://www.3reef.com/forums/tropical-fish/all-about-reef-safe-wrasses-122261-6.html#post1459843

Otherwise, I would agree that a 55 really is too small for a Tang, even a smaller Bristletooth. I was thinking about it myself back when I had my 55, but decided against it.

A Midas Blenny would make a wonderful addition. Depending on what other fish you choose, you could do a smaller Hawkfish. A Watchman Goby and Pistol Shrimp would work as well. A smaller Dwarf Angel would do be nice as well.

 

+1 on the Watchman and Pistol pair.

I had my Yellow Watchman and Tiger Pistol in a 50 and they did great. They will need a little deeper sandbed to really feel at home but once the shrimp gets going, they are fun to watch.

 

Interesting. I found this thread earlier in the day that seemed to have a consensus that a Kole would be okay. But I am re-considering in favor of the less aggressive Tomini.

http://www.3reef.com/forums/tropical-fish/yellow-eye-kole-tang-tank-size-86417.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/tropical-fish/tomini-tang-55g-75516.html


I like the Fairy Wrasse and Blenny idea. Both seem like active fish that cruise the rocks.

What kind of angel would be okay in a reef tank?

 

A smaller Bristletooth would be your call. I just won't tell anyone that they should if you know what I mean. As for angels, as mentioned a smaller dwarf, such as Flame Angel or Coral Beauty (those to specifically if you are keeping corals as they are less likely to nip than others AFAIK). There are plenty of others too if this will be a FOWLR.

 

It will be primarily an SPS tank. I am transferring all my acros and montis into it eventually.

 

It will be primarily an SPS tank. I am transferring all my acros and montis into it eventually. So that worries me about the angels a little.

 

They are hit or miss. I am taking the chance and adding a Flame Angel to my 125 reef ( I was going to add it to my 55, but now upgrading). From everything I have read, Flame Angels are the least likely not to nip, but you just don't know.