Help! Stocking new tank

[Royalstyle]

So I'm in the process of setting up a 75 gallon reef system, and was wondering if anyone could offer some advice in stocking it? I was thinking along the lines of:

4 Green Chromis
2 False Percs
2 Firefish
Royal Gramma
Coral Beauty Angel
Watchman Goby

Would this be overstocked? Could I substitute the percs for one or two Maroon clownfish or would the Maroons be too aggressive? Any advice/suggestions appreciated!

[Ninong]

Hi Royalstyle,




All of the fish you listed are suitable for your 75-gal reef aquarium. Obviously, you would want to add them gradually over several weeks and not all at once.

My personal opinion is that the Amphiprion ocellaris (false percula) clownfish would be better suited for a 75-gal tank than a pair of Premnas biaculeatus (maroon clownfish) for reasons you already suspect. Maroons are more aggressive than any of the other clownfish and aren't ideal roommates. If you really adore them, then it would be possible to go with them but my personal choice would be the ocellaris clowns.

The four green chromis (Chromis viridis) are acceptable but you're taking up a lot of available bioload with them in a seventy-five. If you really like them more than the various other possibilities, then go for it but maybe you should hold off on those until later on to make sure you really want them.

All of your other choices are fine. Don't forget that firefish are jumpers, so you will have to make sure that your top is jumper-proof before getting them.

Good luck!

[Royalstyle]

Thanks! You have a good point about the green chromis, I don't really like them, but I'm having issues finding a decent fish-or-two to round out my list.

Any opinion on the Longnose Hawkfish or the Flame Hawkfish? I'd add this one dead last obviously.

[Ninong]

Just be aware that hawkfish will eat ornamental shrimp, hermit crabs and snails. They're also a threat to really small fish. They do have a lot of personality but they can be aggressive.

[gregr]

No blennies on your list- have you thought about a Lawnmower or Starry blenny? Or Redspot blenny? Fun fish to watch and somewhat helpful in terms of algae control. Plus they're my favorite fish

[Royalstyle]

Actually I like Lawnmower and Redspot Blennies, haven't read too much about the starry blenny. I already have the Watchman goby from my list residing in a 30 gallon tank, and honestly she's really aggressive, so I worry another sand dweller will get on her nerves. Best case scenario, the 75 is big enough to get her to calm down, and then I can look at some blennies!

[gregr]

Starry blennies can be pretty aggressive but there's never been any interaction between the two (starry and ywg) in any of my tanks over the last several years. They pretty much ignore each other.

[Royalstyle]

Sounds like I'll be looking at blennies then. I know they're all similar, but which would you recommend?
Also, how do you think a onespot foxface would work out? I guess they can push 9" and are fairly active, a 75 too small?

[gregr]

I'm have little experience with Rabbitfish but with blennies... oh yeah
My personal favorite is probably the Redspot.

The Tonga blenny is pretty awesome too though. They can be pretty mean though and tend not to be out as much as the other ones you're thinking of. Plus they're quite a bit more expensive.