Thoughts on Fish?

UPDATED WISHLIST ON PAGE 2, 18 JUL 2011

I am currently working on my 125gal RR fish tank (saving up to buy the sand and rock and I will be gtg). Meanwhile I am trying to do research on what my wish list is since this is my first tank. The below list is my proposed plan and would like to know what your thoughts are. Most of the fish I listed are reef compatible w/ the exception of the tang (proceed w/ caution).

I really would like to have 1 or 2 fish that are 1ft and maybe 10 more smaller fish (3-6in) and eventually hermits, crabs etc as CUC.



1. Black/White and/or just Ocellasis Clownfish
Min tank size: 20 gal
Care Lvl: Moderate
Semi-Aggressive & Peaceful
Max size 3"

2. Blackcap Jawfish
Min tank size: 30 gal
Care Lvl: Moderate
Peaceful
Max Size 4"

3. Red or Green Mandarin (since the carelvl is difficult)
Min tank size: 30 gal
Care Lvl: Difficult
Peaceful
Max Size 4"

4. 3 Spot Domino or Blue Velvet Damsel
Min tank size: 30 gal
Care lvl: Easy
Aggressive
Max size 6"

5. Powder Brown Tang
Min tank size: 125 gal
Care Lvl: Moderate
Max Size: 8"

6. Marine Betta
Min tank size: 50 gal
Care Lvl: Easy
Peaceful
Max Size: 8"

7. Vanderbuilt Chomis
Min tank size: 30 gal
Care Lvl: Easy
Peaceful
**Should be in schools of 3.

Thoughts?

 

My only thought is that you want to be cautious which 1-foot fish you mix with the rest. Make sure they have a small mouth, like Tangs or Butterflies. Three things I've learned in the aquarium hobby, both fresh and saltwater, concerning choosing tankmates:

1) A fish does not need to be a predator to eat another fish.

2) Most fish prefer live food; if it fits in their mouth, it's food.

3) "Peaceful toward tankmates" only applies as long as there are no tankmates that fit in their mouth.

 

+1 to ^^^

The Marine Betta may fit into this category.

 

#4: Domino Damsel or Blue Velvet Damsel, both very aggressive as they mature and get larger. I would sure be reluctant to put one in a large peaceful tank and then in the future have to get them out.

 

I agree with all the replies you have gotton so far so I will throw in my thoughts on the Mandarin.
I would not recommend getting one until the tank gets established with pods and rotifers. Lack of food can kill these little guys. I waited 4 years to get mine, seeded the tank with pods 3 times, and still have days where I worry about whether there is enough food for them.
Do a lot of reading on these babies before you get one. You'll be glad you did. They are so cool to watch.

 

Thanks for your imput guys, very helpful and informative. Code111 after reading your statement, I am definitely going that route before purchasing one. Actually I am going to take it off my list for the time being (but dang they are beautiful fish!).

I would like to hear what others would put in if it were their tank (with the intentions that it will be FOWLR for 6mnth-1yr before purchasing coral) (just to give me other ideas)

Thanks again!

 

I love my 6 line wrasse. He keeps away pests that come in on live rock and loves to hunt and kill bristleworms. He will also eat parasites and flatworms keeping the aquarium safer for me. A long time ago, I stuck my hand on a bristleworm....ouch...

Be careful with tangs as they do have a top fin that can cut you like a razor and I hear it is really painful. I am definitely not trying to discourage you on buying one, many reefers have them in their tanks, but it is always good to know that it is there.

Sandsifting gobies are not only peaceful, they are reef safe, they keep the sandbed stirred up, stay small, and are hysterical in the morning coming out of their caves. My favorite thing in the mornings was drinking my coffee and waiting for him to wake up. Sadly, mine got old and died a few months ago.

Firefish or Dartfish are very peaceful fish. Once they develope confidence, they are very entertaining darting around the tank. They are reef safe and stay small.

One more thought on the Mandarin. Some can be taught to eat live and frozen food but that is not always successful. I have been able to get my male to eat live baby brine squirted at him with a turkey baster and this morning I observed, for the first time, him eating blood worms. My female will eat nothing offered her.

 

I woudl not consider anything as large as 1' in that tank. I ahve a 8" naso in mine and it seems huge.

 

i have to say 12 fish can no way fit into that tank no matter what kind of fish they are, i would not put any fish in there that reach a foot long. if it were my tank i would do 2 or 3 fish that get about 6-8 inches such as tangs some dwarf angels most butterflies and a few others and mayve 5-6 fish under 4-5 inches such as some anthias cardinals blennies gobies etc.

 

Just my two cents,

The marine bettan is awesome looking but has the tendency of eating small ornamental shrimp or cuc that fits in his mouth. If you are going to go into a reef then from my experience this guy doesnt like the intense lighting that the reef normally has.

The powder brown is super beautiful BUT he tends to get aggressive very territorial, so be sure to put him last. They also tend to get rather big and need a low if swimming space, so plan ahead your rockwork to be sure to leave enough space for him to run around. A more peaceful tang and great lil cleaners for the reef are the tomini tang and the kole yellow eye tang. They are always picking at the rocks and they normally don't bother anyone else ( of course dont mix them).
Another guy you might love and its perfect for reef life is the Salfin Blenny, he is always picking at the algae in your rocks and has AWESOME personality. The Midas Blenny is also great to see swimming around.

Hope it helps.