Fish selection help!!!

[squachy]

Hello all - I have a 150 gallon aquarium that has been established for 5 months. The occupants now include:
Blonde Naso Tang (XL)
Adult Emperor (Med)
Purple Tank (Med)
Powder Blue Tang (Med & aggresive)
Niger Trigger (med)
Blue Line Trigger (Med & somewhat aggresive)
Clown Trigger (sm & a baby thats growing)
Dog Face puffer (med)
Blue Ribbon Eel (3.5ft)

all of these fish are doing fine and get along but I would still like to try and add one and possibly two more fish. Does anyone know of a fish that would fit into my community. The fish would have to be somewhat aggresive to fend off these other fish. I have been thinking of an Australian Harlequin Tusk but wasn't sure. I would appreciate any help or advice. Thanks

Phil

[saltjunkie]

Wow phil, your tank sounds pretty well stocked. i am not sure what to reccomend, other than that my experience with triggers is that they are pretty aggressive, and that any fish you add needs to be atleast as agg. as the triggers. although im still not sure why you would wat more fish in that tank, it sounds like a cool looking tank already, any other members have any suggestions for Phil?

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Whoever invented salt water aquariums should be shot for taking all my money...everyday, oh well gotta have something to do!

[reefland]

Phil, that sounds like a well stocked tank to me as well. With all of the triggers in there, the late addition of another fish in their territory may be fatal.

I wouldn't add anything elso IMHO.

[reefdog]

I always felt that to many fish can be a distraction. You cant notice the personalities, and indiviuality of the fish you have when you put to many in. Plus the more fish the higher your chances something may go wrong.

[FishTechie]

I have to agree with the above posts, but IMO its not that you have too many fish just that your fish will get HUGE, and your tank will look too busy...
in my 180 i have

2 firefish
2 gobies
2 scooter blennies
2 percula clowns
2 banggaii cardinals
2 jawfish
2 bicolor blennies
2 cleaner shrimps
1 mandarin goby
1 blonde Naso tang (med)
1 purple tang (small)
and 1 powder blue tang on hold at the LFS...

so i will only have 3 main fish that will be swimming at eye level, the rest will be all over the rocks or hiden

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My 180 Utopia: Updated 5/21/00

[indianajones]

I agree with the previous posts concerning the possibility of overcrowding. Also, adding too many fish at once may lead to biological overload and thus, dead fish.

[Triggers]

If all those fish live to min of max size you will have 125" of fish. That would equate to over 1"/per gal (-) water displacement.
If fed properly your filtration must be unbeleivable.
IMO I would not add anything further and even if you lose a couple still nothing.

[Joaco]

yup, that's a lot of fish already.

Beware of territorial problems, waste buildup (consecuences), ICH outbreaks do to stress (all its forms)...problems related to overcrowding and excessive bioload in general.

One more thing: Emperor Angels need excellent water quality (only to mention water requirements), with all those messy eaters that will be really difficult, if possible at all if we consider the bioload too.
Please dont add more fish to that tank, and consider either upgading it or reducing the number of fish in it.

Joaco

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Joaco's saltwater webpage Updated 12th June 2000

[squachy]

Thanks everyone for all of your help. My tank is doing great and I think I have been convinced to not mess with success. I have overkilled on filtration and feed only three times a week. I still feed them quality food I just don't want any over feeding problems. I think I will be able to sustain this community for a very long time. Thanks again for all your advice

[FishTechie]

I agree with trigger, Tangs are grazers, and will feed all day, i feed mine PrimeReef flake twice a day along with a 3x3 piece of dried seeweed....hth

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[squachy]

In theory you have a great idea. The problem arrives when the triggers eat all of the algea. I have tried feeding numerous times a day with healthy food and nothing seems to help. I can say that my tangs are beautiful in color, are growing, and overall appear happy. Thank you for your input but with the current residents that type of feeding is not what I need. (ie overfeeding!!!)

[Triggers]

It is my understanding that the Tang family needs to be fed several times per day at the least. A constant food source would be the optimal preference.

[The_Bandit]

Can supplement the tangs feed with Nori, or another compatible leafy green.... I have heard some people have used lettuce or spinach after blanching it in boiling water, has anyone tried that ??

Jamie

[ScottC]

Here's my look at it... Imagine yourself living in a 1 bedroom apartmant with 12 other people, no doors and only one bathroom. Think you'll be getting along with everyone?
Scott

[FishTechie]

I have read that spinach falls apart and is too messy, but broccoli stays together longer and tangs seem to love it...hth

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[fishonly]

I have heard that feeding the fish "people food" is not the best for them either. Lettuce is mostly water and not very nutritional but I don't know about broccoli

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Shelly