Possible 55g Fo

[Magga Pie]

I have a 75g reef already and I have a 55g in my bedroom sitting empty. I was thinking about setting it up to maybe do a fish only setup.

My question is would it be even worth setting up a 55 since its small?

I really like lionfish, eels, and puffers.

Can any of these fish be put into a 55g?

Anyone have any ideas as to what fish would be good for this size tank?
Thank you

[Snail-po]

of course this can be a fish only , heck any tank can be a fish only the size just limits how much you put in it. I think you could fit 1 or 2 triggers in here here , some dwarf angels , maybe a eel.:)

[FiShTaCo]

You could easily house one of each of the fish you like into a 55g.
A dogface puffer can be housed in a 55g no prob.
I wouldn't put more than 3 fish in a 55...and not large ones.
Being messy eaters be sure you have tons of water movement and a k!%k@$$ skimmer rated for a much bigger tank.
Here's my suggestion. In this order add...

1. small lionfish (Volitans are hardy but get large) try looking for Antenatta Lionfish...usually do not get much larger than 8-9"

2. Snowflake Eel (stays smaller than others & very hardy)

3. small Dogface Puffer

[Magga Pie]

Cool thanks for the responses.

[LisaD]

You could easily house one of each of the fish you like into a 55g.
A dogface puffer can be housed in a 55g no prob.
I wouldn't put more than 3 fish in a 55...and not large ones.
Being messy eaters be sure you have tons of water movement and a k!%k@$$ skimmer rated for a much bigger tank.
Here's my suggestion. In this order add...

1. small lionfish (Volitans are hardy but get large) try looking for Antenatta Lionfish...usually do not get much larger than 8-9"

2. Snowflake Eel (stays smaller than others & very hardy)

3. small Dogface Puffer

sorry, I have to disagree with this list, though I think you can do something similar. scale down the stock list more.

for an eel - not a true eel, but a wolf eel blenny has the same look and IMO even more personality than the "true" eels. or get a golden dwarf moray if you have the $$. snowflakes will outgrow and most likely escape the tank.

lionfish - get a fuzzy dwarf. they are hardy, easy to train to frozen, and the right size for the tank.

puffer - not really an option unless you are willing to risk your lion. sharpnose puffers are small enough, but can be fin nippers. dogface puffers get 13" and are THICK and also produce a lot of waste. a 55 will not be sufficient for an adult dogface. they are one of the only puffers I would really want to chance with a lion, but they are just too big for your tank.

decide if you like puffers or lions better, then make a choice. there are a lot of other fish you can also consider for your tank (not all together).

dwarf angels
small hawkfish - e.g. flame hawk
basslet or small grouper type fish - royal gramma, marine betta

My 55 has an eclectic mix that works for me:

green wolf eel blenny
marine betta
two seahorses
reticulate boxfish (Ostracion solanensis)

caveat - this is not a beginner's stock list. the seahorses are a risk with the boxfish and wolf eel, but my 4 year old wolf eel is not aggressive. you also need to be careful with boxfish - they are not beginner fish and can release a toxin that will wipe out the tank if stressed. I also have macroalgae and hardy corals in this tank.