Reef Safe showpiece fish for 75g

kgis · 08/18/2012, 06:56 AM

I'm setting up a 75g (my first reef tank) and am trying to decide on the stocking list. I know I want to have a clown, watchman goby and inverts. I will be adding corals once it matures a little.
But, what I am having trouble deciding on is a showpiece fish - a good sized, fish that really shows well in the tank.
Any suggestions?

EllieSuz · 08/18/2012, 07:01 AM

I would choose one of the bristletooth tangs, such as Tomini or Yellow Eyed Kohl. While they aren't brightly colored, their markings are beautiful and they reach a good size. I have a Tomini and he's just a great fish!

goreef170 · 08/18/2012, 07:35 AM

I would suggest a Powder Blue Tang. I have 15 fish, and he his my favorite. Looks great and is a active swimmer.

Altho you only have a 75gal, I would buy perhaps a 3" to start. So you would have him for several years, before he out grows your tank, and maybe by then , you will be upgrading

Andrew · 08/18/2012, 07:38 AM

No comments needed

Patrick Cox · 08/18/2012, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew

No comments needed

Comments needed for me! I don't recognize this fish.

Andrew · 08/18/2012, 08:21 AM

It's an Australian Harlequin Tusk

kgis · 08/18/2012, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goreef170

I would suggest a Powder Blue Tang. I have 15 fish, and he his my favorite. Looks great and is a active swimmer.

Altho you only have a 75gal, I would buy perhaps a 3" to start. So you would have him for several years, before he out grows your tank, and maybe by then , you will be upgrading

Isn't a powder blue tang much to big for my 75g tank?

kgis · 08/18/2012, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew

It's an Australian Harlequin Tusk

I have the same question as the powder blue tang..doesn't this fish require a 6 foot tank?

terancevan88 · 08/18/2012, 08:56 AM

I thought I couldn't have a tusk in my reef?

Color popping

Andrew · 08/18/2012, 09:20 AM

Get a small 2-4'' tusk. They tend to grow rather slow and most of the time they won't get huge unless you buy an adult collected one. And they are reef safe in terms of coral. You can kiss shrimp goodbuy and sometimes snails.

goreef170 · 08/18/2012, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgis

Isn't a powder blue tang much to big for my 75g tank?

Thats why I say start with a 3"....You should be fine, like I said above....

terancevan88 · 08/18/2012, 10:03 AM

Cleaner shrimp?

Color popping

kgis · 08/18/2012, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew

Get a small 2-4'' tusk. They tend to grow rather slow and most of the time they won't get huge unless you buy an adult collected one. And they are reef safe in terms of coral. You can kiss shrimp goodbuy and sometimes snails.

This is probably a stupid question but what do you use for a CUC if you can't have shrimp or snails?

rupatel · 08/18/2012, 01:58 PM

+1 on Powder Blue Tang

TheGodParticle · 08/18/2012, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew

No comments needed

+10 million. Best reef fish you can buy. I've had an Aussie for a while now, its never touched any of my shrimp. Some people have hit or miss with shrimp with them.

I wouldn't recommend getting a powder anything. Especially if this is your first reef tank. Powders are bound to get ICH. It's not a matter of if, its a matter of when. And they can sometimes be difficult to keep.

goreef170 · 08/18/2012, 03:09 PM

Powder Blue tang totally reef safe.....

dzfish17 · 08/18/2012, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGodParticle

I wouldn't recommend getting a powder anything. Especially if this is your first reef tank. Powders are bound to get ICH. It's not a matter of if, its a matter of when. And they can sometimes be difficult to keep.

This is not true... you can have an ich free tank if you quarantine properly. I do agree that a powder blue tang is not a good choice for a 75g tank. I would buy fish that are appropriate for the current tank... upgrades dont always happen.

Graham670 · 08/18/2012, 08:05 PM

My " show fish " is my Mystery Wrasse. Favorite of all 11 fish in my tank.

OneReef · 08/18/2012, 08:25 PM

In Europe, tangs are considered not reef safe. They can nip corals. Most people keep them though with no problem. I would not go Powder Blue. They are aggressive, very very ick prone, and need more tank than 75g. Just my opinion. One spot foxfaces are cool, and swim from end to end all day and are a great fish to show off since he just goes back and forth, back and forth. May nip soft corals though, hit or miss. If kept fed well, they dont nip. Ive kept a few with no problems. Female Bellus Angelfish are beautiful, and are reef safe, if you can find one. A school of Anthias are nice, I like them a lot. I have some Ventralis anthias that are beautiful. As far as a bigger fish like the foxface, a Pyramid zoster Butterfly's are nice, ive had one in the past. A copperband butterfly would be cool if you could get it to eat and stay alive, ha. Good luck!

OneReef · 08/18/2012, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham670

My " show fish " is my Mystery Wrasse. Favorite of all 11 fish in my tank.

I love my mystery wrasse too, but mine is in and out of the rocks all day. You don't see him very much, he likes hiding, so mine wouldn't be considered a show fish, ha. They are cool though...

Danny_B · 08/19/2012, 12:18 AM

i love angels my vote is Flame, Lamarcks, or wantabei Angel...

kgis · 08/19/2012, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham670

My " show fish " is my Mystery Wrasse. Favorite of all 11 fish in my tank.

I've heard that a lot of people like their wrasses. Why is that fish your favorite? does it have a good personality?

tkeracer619 · 08/19/2012, 09:12 AM

Personally I would stick with fish that do not outgrow the tank or present potential problems down the road. You will be much happier long term if you stock the tank for the long term.

A tang is going to take up a large chunk of your bioload so realistically I would go for more smaller fish. Tons of small fish with personality. Flame Hawk, Blennies, Jawfish, wrasses, certain anthias, gobies, firefish ect

There are just too many cool fish to settle on one showpiece. But a large Fathead Sunburst Anthias would be my first suggestion. Awesome fish.

Patroklos · 08/19/2012, 10:07 AM

Fatheads are very shy so I don't know if it would be suitable as a show fish. It's a finicky eater too...

Anemonebuff · 08/19/2012, 10:51 AM

I agree with the Tusk. Great fish and very colorful. It popped into my mind as I read the thread title.

08/18/2012, 06:56 AM	#1
kgis Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 34	Reef Safe showpiece fish for 75g I'm setting up a 75g (my first reef tank) and am trying to decide on the stocking list. I know I want to have a clown, watchman goby and inverts. I will be adding corals once it matures a little. But, what I am having trouble deciding on is a showpiece fish - a good sized, fish that really shows well in the tank. Any suggestions?

08/18/2012, 07:01 AM	#2
EllieSuz Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 3,599	I would choose one of the bristletooth tangs, such as Tomini or Yellow Eyed Kohl. While they aren't brightly colored, their markings are beautiful and they reach a good size. I have a Tomini and he's just a great fish! __________________ "You can't learn this hobby one question at a time." (Mr. Tuskfish) Eileen Current Tank Info: 60 gal. reef, refugium in sump, Internal Mag 9 return, SC 302 skimmer, two Maxi-Jet 1200's modded, four bulb T5 Lighting, Reefkeeper Lite Controller with three PC4's, Little Fishes GFO reactor.

08/18/2012, 07:35 AM	#3
goreef170 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Rancho Belago, Calif. Posts: 106	I would suggest a Powder Blue Tang. I have 15 fish, and he his my favorite. Looks great and is a active swimmer. Altho you only have a 75gal, I would buy perhaps a 3" to start. So you would have him for several years, before he out grows your tank, and maybe by then , you will be upgrading __________________ 170 Gal Leemar, Mixed Reef, 60 gal sump, 1350 cad light skimmer, 4 A.I. sol's, 2 mp40, Aquaripure Nitrate Filter, 57Watt Aqua UV, 1/3 Arctica chiller, 2 Drew dosing pumps, Charcoal & Phosban Reactors,

08/18/2012, 03:09 PM	#16
goreef170 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Rancho Belago, Calif. Posts: 106	Powder Blue tang totally reef safe..... __________________ 170 Gal Leemar, Mixed Reef, 60 gal sump, 1350 cad light skimmer, 4 A.I. sol's, 2 mp40, Aquaripure Nitrate Filter, 57Watt Aqua UV, 1/3 Arctica chiller, 2 Drew dosing pumps, Charcoal & Phosban Reactors,

08/18/2012, 08:25 PM	#19
OneReef Resident Zombie Hunter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: the great South Posts: 3,019	In Europe, tangs are considered not reef safe. They can nip corals. Most people keep them though with no problem. I would not go Powder Blue. They are aggressive, very very ick prone, and need more tank than 75g. Just my opinion. One spot foxfaces are cool, and swim from end to end all day and are a great fish to show off since he just goes back and forth, back and forth. May nip soft corals though, hit or miss. If kept fed well, they dont nip. Ive kept a few with no problems. Female Bellus Angelfish are beautiful, and are reef safe, if you can find one. A school of Anthias are nice, I like them a lot. I have some Ventralis anthias that are beautiful. As far as a bigger fish like the foxface, a Pyramid zoster Butterfly's are nice, ive had one in the past. A copperband butterfly would be cool if you could get it to eat and stay alive, ha. Good luck! __________________ What is your Zombie contingency plan? Current Tank Info: 120g SPS reef, 2x250w Radium MH, two MP40's, Reef Octopus Cone Skimmer, Ca Reactor, SMR1 Biopellets

08/18/2012, 07:38 AM	#4
Andrew Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Lima, Ohio Posts: 13,673	No comments needed

08/18/2012, 08:21 AM	#6
Andrew Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Lima, Ohio Posts: 13,673	It's an Australian Harlequin Tusk

08/18/2012, 08:56 AM	#9
terancevan88 Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 100	I thought I couldn't have a tusk in my reef? Color popping

08/18/2012, 09:20 AM	#10
Andrew Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Lima, Ohio Posts: 13,673	Get a small 2-4'' tusk. They tend to grow rather slow and most of the time they won't get huge unless you buy an adult collected one. And they are reef safe in terms of coral. You can kiss shrimp goodbuy and sometimes snails.

08/18/2012, 10:03 AM	#12
terancevan88 Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 100	Cleaner shrimp? Color popping

08/18/2012, 01:58 PM	#14
rupatel Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: garland, tx Posts: 60	+1 on Powder Blue Tang

08/18/2012, 08:05 PM	#18
Graham670 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Midwest City, Oklahoma Posts: 83	My " show fish " is my Mystery Wrasse. Favorite of all 11 fish in my tank.

08/19/2012, 12:18 AM	#21
Danny_B Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: North Phoenix Posts: 348	i love angels my vote is Flame, Lamarcks, or wantabei Angel... __________________ 29g Mixed Reef, 10g Sump/Refugium, SCA-301 Cone Skimmer, 32x3w LEDs 12RB/12CW/4UV/2DR/2TQ 60°/80° optics, 35lbs Live rock, MP10es

08/19/2012, 09:12 AM	#23
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Golden, CO Posts: 11,535	Personally I would stick with fish that do not outgrow the tank or present potential problems down the road. You will be much happier long term if you stock the tank for the long term. A tang is going to take up a large chunk of your bioload so realistically I would go for more smaller fish. Tons of small fish with personality. Flame Hawk, Blennies, Jawfish, wrasses, certain anthias, gobies, firefish ect There are just too many cool fish to settle on one showpiece. But a large Fathead Sunburst Anthias would be my first suggestion. Awesome fish. __________________ Hobby Experience: 8200ish gallons, 23 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tanks: Vortech Powered 360G Mixed reef w/120g Sump. PM Bullet XL-1 Skimmer w/Askoll 1500. ReefAngel. Radium 20k MH, Blue+ T5, Super Actinic VHO. 360G Only Rock & Water w/50g Sump. Octopus DDNW250 Skimmer.

08/19/2012, 10:07 AM	#24
Patroklos Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 255	Fatheads are very shy so I don't know if it would be suitable as a show fish. It's a finicky eater too...

08/19/2012, 10:51 AM	#25
Anemonebuff Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: LI,NY Posts: 3,881	I agree with the Tusk. Great fish and very colorful. It popped into my mind as I read the thread title.