55 gal. saltwater reef

[Percula]

i am starting a 55 gal. reef and i was wanting to make sure i could have the fish that i was thinkin about gettin. i was thinkin about 1 yellow tang, 2 false perculas, 1 six-line wrasse, 1 red firefish, and a dwarf angel(not sure what kind). is that ok? and also can i get a starfish? i would like to have one. i have no clue what kind so i will take any suggestions. anyway thanx

[Paidbychrist0825]

for one you have that poor 55 overstocked.
That yellow tang will hit 8 inches as an adult, and ther false percs will do 3 inches each. your over by 3 inches already. six lines get to three, now were over by 6. the red firefish( lionfish) get nice and large at over a foot. over by 18 inches.

[Paidbychrist0825]

o yea, a star will be ok, as long as it wont bother your corals and fish. i would check the profile of the star you want to get. a googel search will turn up lots of results

[Percula]

ok i want a firefish not a lionfish (duh)http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?siteid=21&pCatId=168 and i'm not going to have a wrasse anymore. that wont be overstocked. so yeah. and i dont want a starfish nomore.

[Paidbychrist0825]

ok my fault, i did a liveaquaria search for "red firefish", and lionfish came up, should have looked at the other results. upon looking further i did see your little dude.
You still have that 8 inch yellow tang in with those 3 inch percs, and you are still 3 inches over.

[MikeS]

Tangs really need a tank around 75gal. or larger....I have kept yellow tangs in a 55, but they really do tend to do better in a larger tank. Also yellow tangs tend to be a bit territorial, esp in a smaller tank, like a 55, and it would probably pick on your clowns....just my $.02 worth....

MikeJS

[arockkid]

My mom's tang and clown fish are best friends in a 46. They'll swim together all day. And I have yet to see this 8" yellow tang you speak of. I've seen OTHER tangs get huge. Every tank is different.
Most places will say, though, to put the tang in last, after the more peaceful fish have established their territory.
My 2cents.

[Percula]

yeah i was going to add it last. well wherever i have been said tose fish were ok.

[rememberme]

I had a yellow tang 2 percs and a royal grammer in one tank - although a bad combo (lfs sold them to me saying it was ok) - they did fine in terms of fights and stuff - it was as small as yours to...

[MikeS]

there are so many varibles that come into play when dealing with fish aggression....it's hard to predict what will happen with certain fish. That is why I always use words like "typically" and "probably" when dealing with this issue...I've kept "incompatible" fish together with no problems, and I have watched "compatible" fish tear each other to pieces....it can be hard to predict, and it's always a roll of the dice to some degree....
Generally speaking, you are wise to check here for opinions, a lot of LFS's (but not all) will sell you a bad mix and tell you it's ok....

MikeJS

[Percula]

well everyone i have asked has said it was ok. so i am going to try it. thanx guys

[rangers95]

i would defiently try it out... like i always say "trial and error"

[Percula]

well im goin with a 10 gal. now

[Paidbychrist0825]

and by that you mean you wil not be having all of those fish, yes?

[Percula]

im just gonna have 2 clowns i think. or maybe one and a firefish. i havent decided yet