Tropical Fish Forums

[kevin3020]

I'm going to start up a 75 gallon FOWLR tank and I just don't know what to put in it. I've searched the internet and can't figure out a good way to stock this tank. The dimensions are 48x18x20 with a 20 high sump.
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55 gallon Mbuna tank
3x Yellow labs
4x Yellow-tailed acei
4x Red zebra cichlid
29 gallon community
5x Tiger barbs
4x Odessa barbs

[Mike612]

It depends on the type of setup you want. With a FOWLR setup, you can have a tank with peaceful fish like Clowns, Cardinals, a Dwarf Angel, etc..... You could, however, also setup a predator tank with a Snowflake Eel and a small Lion, but that also requires a lot of filteration and skimming.

It all depends on what you want and the amount of filtration you have.

[kevin3020]

I was thinking of a peaceful setup. How would this work?
1 Centropyge loricula
1 Centropyge argi
2 Amphiprion ocellaris
4 Chromis viridis
My sump is 800 gph and has a 150-GAL Protein Skimmer Venturi Driven SA-2014
_________________
55 gallon Mbuna tank
3x Yellow labs
4x Yellow-tailed acei
4x Red zebra cichlid
29 gallon community
5x Tiger barbs
4x Odessa barbs

[Mike612]

Mixing Angels isn't always easy, nor is it recommended. For your tank, I would really consider choosing just one species of Angelfish. Just keep in mind that the Angel should be added last because they are extremely aggressive towards any fish that are added after them.

The only other issue that I have is with the Chromis. Chromis are better kept in schools of odd numbers, not an even number like 4 as you listed. If you drop one of the Angels as I suggested, you could probably pull off 5 Chromis in your tank.

Good luck.

[FloridaBoy]

Kevin, you are getting good advice from Mike, I just wanted to stress the importance of using a quarantine tank as you build your community. The best way to stock your tank is by using a strict quarantine protocol to reduce the chances of pathogens in your system. Also, if you are a beginner please review my list of species to avoid, at the link below.
Best wishes for your success...
http://www.aquahobby.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=17688
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Keepin' marines happy for 25 years

[MarkLehr]

On the subject of angelfish aggression, you will find that C. loricula, despite its small size, is one of the most aggressive of the Centropyge genus. It would work well in a mixed community, but adding this fish last is great advice. It is also very sturdy, so it is an excellent beginner fish.

I agree that adding multiple angelfish, especially from the same genus, to a 75 gallon tank could be very difficult. You never know if it will work out.

By the way, this same situation often develops when mixing Centropyge angelfish and Tangs, especially Tangs of the Zebrasoma genus, such as the Yellow Tang or Scopas Tang. If you are going to add a Tang, I would suggest a Ctenochaetus Tang, such as the Kohl, Chevron, or Tomini.

To add to your existing list, you could consider a Hawkfish. These fish stay relatively small and mix well in communities. Another option would be a Squirelfish, which would be more active in the evening and gives your aquarium a unique flavor at night. You will also find the Pseudochromis to be a hardy family of fish, but these fish also are best added near the end, as they become rather territorial.

[kevin3020]

Here is another stock list
1 Centropyge loricula
2 Amphiprion ocellaris
5 Chromis viridis
1 Sargocentron xantherythrum
3 Lysmata amboinensis
Will this work?
_________________
55 gallon Mbuna tank
3x Yellow labs
4x Yellow-tailed acei
4x Red zebra cichlid
29 gallon community
5x Tiger barbs
4x Odessa barbs

[Mike612]

I have never actually kept a Squirrelfish so I cannot give you too much information about them. To my knowledge though, they will eat invertebrates. This means that you probably would not be able to keep both the Squirrelfish and the Shrimps together in the tank.

[FloridaBoy]

Regarding S. xantherythrum; I would be cautious about keeping a larger Squirrelfish with shrimp or small fish...


EDIT: Mike beat me to it.....
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Keepin' marines happy for 25 years

[Mike612]

Haha sorry Floridaboy. I always like to be one step ahead of everyone, including myself.