Potential Stocklist for ~200 gallon aggressive-ish reef

[styndall]

I'm planning on putting together a reef with some semi-aggressive fish. The tank will be 180, 210, or 200. I want to build the stock list around a pair of bluejaw triggers. I have pair of black ocellaris clowns that will go in, and I'd like to keep either a flame or lemonpeel angel, or, if possible, both.

I plan on keeping a number of soft corals, pompom xenia, zoanthids, and large mushrooms, and some stony corals, probably acropora aculeus and gemmifera, and some monti caps.

What others would you suggest? I like niger triggers, but I know they're more aggressive. Would leaf fish work in this sort of reef? How about soldierfish? I really like the bigeyes. Another possibility is a porkfish.

[LisaD]

I keep leaf fish, and they are very poor swimmers, slow moving, need live food and not at all competitive feeders. I keep mine with seahorses. I don't think a leaf fish will be a good choice in this tank. They won't compete for food, and might get picked at. If you like them, set up a 29 or a 30 gallon tank for a trio and some peaceful tankmates.

I don't have experience here, but I suspect the lemonpeel angel will be less reef safe than the flame - neither can be guaranteed not to pick at your corals.

Blue jaw triggers should be fine in your tank, but I'm not sure whether you can trust a niger to be reef safe or not. Mine is, so far, but it is still small. You might consider a Hawaiian pink tail trigger if you feel you need another. Crosshatches would be safe, but they are very expensive, and for me, would be too redundant in type with the blue jaws.

I think the last three would be ok, but make sure you have caves or overhangs for bigeyes or soldierfish, they don't like intense light.

Have you thought about a pair of Genicanthus angels? They are unusual because they 1) are reef safe, 2) can be paired.

I'd also consider a mimic tang and a harlequin tuskfish. Not to say you should have all of them, just consider these...

This is my stock list for my 210. I will have some soft corals and zoos, but the fish are what I care about and invest in...

Emperor angelfish
Australian harlequin tuskfish
Blue spotted rabbitfish
Dogface puffer
Hawaiian pinktail trigger
Niger trigger
Brazilian dragon moray
Zebra moray
Black tip grouper

None of these fish is full grown except the two morays. I realize I will be overstocked as they get bigger. I can take out several and put them in another tank I have. Or I'll have to upgrade. I can't bring myself to get rid of any of them, I'm too attached. :)

[styndall]

Crosshatch triggers are definitely too spendy for me, and the similarity to the bluejaws is a bit much. I do like the harlequin tusks, so I'll keep that in mind. I haven't seen any genicanthus that I fancy particularly, and most of the ones I've seen have been quite expensive as well.

As to lighting concerns: I plan on keeping two 150 watt halides and supplemental T5 actinics and keeping corals exclusively in the top 15 inches or so of the tank. I like the look of a strong lighting gradient, with a few bright spots and many dim areas. I thought about some of the flashlight fish I've seen on liveaquaria, but I don't have any experience with them, and I don't want to condemn any fish to death.

[LisaD]

I don't know much about the flashlight fish, but I think they, like pinecone fish, are pretty passive and may not be compatible with the faster and more aggressive fish in your tank.

I guarantee you would like the HT. They are not only beautiful, they are really cool fish with interesting behaviors and personality. They are assertive, but not aggressive. I kept one with bigger fish, but also a clown and royal gramma, for three years. It never bothered either of those fish. They'll eat crabs and shrimp, but won't bother your corals. So the gorgeous coloring and big blue teeth are nice, but these fish are way more than that.

Have you considered adding one of the large angels? They really are showcase fish. If you don't want something as large as a Pomacanthus (though some are smaller than others) or as nasty as a Holocanthus, consider some of the other good choices in other genera. The Koran angel doesn't get super huge, and is hardy and beautiful. I think it's probably one of the most under-rated angels.

I used to think of Genicanthus angels as glorified damsels. I was very unimpressed with their looks and didn't believe they had much personality. They are so different from the large angels and didn't really seem interesting. I changed my mind some after seeing some of the really striking (and expensive!) ones in person. If you are open to giving them a try, get two female LaMarck's angels. One may (should) turn into a male. These are not very expensive, and these are the hardiest of the Genicanthus. They are pretty impressive when they get some size on them, and are much cooler than you'd think.

[styndall]

My local shop got a LeMarck's angel last week, and I spend a while watching it. You're quite right about them -- they're interesting and very subtly pretty. I'll attach them to my list, which for now looks like:

A pair of bluejaw triggers
A pair of black ocellaris clowns
Perhaps a harlequin tusk
A LeMarck's angel, or a pair
A Bigeye Soldierfish
A Porkfish

Any other suggestions or issues?

[LisaD]

I like this list. I'd leave it at that for now, giving you some latitude for later.

[Fish_King_25]

I agree with lisa no doubt...nice list with room for some future additions