Need help stocking my tank

[forrealb50]

I had a bad ich out-break a month or so ago and lost a lot of my fish expect a few which I treated with copper and returned to my LFS while I got my tank back in order. My tank is fish less until the new year (72 days).

My setup:
55 gal, 1400lph water flow, UV sterilizer, 100 gal protein skimmer, heater, 260watt PC Currently USA Satellite, 50+lbs live rock, hang-on carbon filer, lots of snails, crabs, one large 12-15” centerpiece LTA, along with a few misc corals. I also have a 10 gal quarantine that each fish will stay for 1 month before entering the DT. *I will also have a 10gal sump at the end of the year.

Desired fish: :fish1:
Powder Brown Tang – small/medium
Yellow Tang – small/medium
Diamond Goby – medium
Hippo Tang – small/medium
Clowns – anything that will host my LTA

What are your thoughts (good or bad)? If these fish are a good combo for the tank what order should I add each of them?

[jda]

What clowns are you thinking about? Maroons are good host fish, but they will move sand and can be bullies. Skunks are equally good hosts and are better tankmates. Percs and ocs are good fish but won't always host.

The tangs are not good choices for a tank that size.

If you want some color and attitude, then you might consider some dwarf angels.

[forrealb50]

What clowns are you thinking about? Maroons are good host fish, but they will move sand and can be bullies. Skunks are equally good hosts and are better tankmates. Percs and ocs are good fish but won't always host.

The tangs are not good choices for a tank that size.

If you want some color and attitude, then you might consider some dwarf angels.

I know I'm pushing the tank size with the tangs. I would like to purchase them small around 3" and then upgrade to a 100+ gal when we move out of our condo (2 years). I will also have a better chance in getting the "okay" from the wife if she's attached to fish that "require" a larger tank to stay happy. :D

At the LFS fish store today they had a yellow and hippo tang that were acting like paired clowns. I wish I was ready for fish now!

[forrealb50]

I had a pair of percs and they didn't host the LTA. I havn't seen a clown I don't like so I would like to get a pair that has the highest probability of hosting my LTA. Which one's do you think those would be?

[forrealb50]

Thought I would post a pic of the tank.

[forrealb50]

Anyone else have any ideas on a fish combo I should go with?

[LisaD]

even at small sizes, really, avoid the tangs in that tank. especially the powder brown, but I wouldn't keep the others either. you have a nice set-up, and the LTA and clowns will actually fill it up pretty well.

diamond goby is fine.

I'd round it out with a dwarf angel, and maybe a showy small wrasse, like a mystery wrasse.

[forrealb50]

What about a yellow tang? I read they are good in tanks up to 60 gal. Is that true?

[Chloe1]

Wrasses are nice but they can be jumpers if your tank is not covered.

[forrealb50]

Wrasses are nice but they can be jumpers if your tank is not covered.

Yeah, it's not covered. Not planning on it either. I like the open top.