290 Gallon Stocking Advise

[albert_dao]

Originally Posted by dusty16

Do you know which ones?

I can answer this Most of the larger "easier" species. But it's important that they are eating pellets before you attempt this. You'll have hard time if they're only eating frozen.

Some examples are:

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...12&pcatid=1512

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...28&pcatid=1128

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...30&pcatid=2830 (the photo is misleading -- Full color males of this species are show stoppers, here's an example: http://www.oceanwideimages.com/image...4M1046-17D.jpg)

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...0+90&pcatid=90

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...0+52&pcatid=52

Of course, your mileage may vary based on the health of the animal at collection. You'll also want to make sure the fish are thoroughly dewormed.

[dusty16]

Is it ok to have different types of anthias? Like 3 of barletts and 3 lyretale?

[George]

Originally Posted by dusty16

Is it ok to have different types of anthias? Like 3 of barletts and 3 lyretale?

Normally it's not ok to mix lyretail and bartlett because they are somewhat aggressive for anthias. But you should be ok given your tank size.

[Piscez]

There's also an order and timing of adding fish you'll need to abide by to increase your odds of success, best to check back when you have your list narrowed down. Have you considered a Majestic Angel my fav, I have a 220 gal with a purple, yellow, white cheek, hippo and Naso tangs along with coral beauty, Emporer and Majestic angel ( soon to be adding a Flame angel). A malarenus wrasse, fox face , copperband, purple dotty back, air of clowns and a pair of scooter blenny's. Most of my issues have been with the tangs bullying each other especially the purple but throwing him in the sump for a couple of weeks adjusts his attitude and brings him down a couple of notches in turn allowing the other tangs to settle in. It's a real juggling act.

[dusty16]

I love your tank Piscez. It looks great. I thought that the Majestic Angel wasnt reef safe though.

Here is what I know I want for sure.
I have 2 clowns and a foxface already
Blue Hippo
Yellow Tang
Purple Tang
Powder Blue Tang
Regal Angel
Flame Angel
Copperband butterfly
And now possibly a zebra moray eel.
Debated a naso tang for a while but they seem too big.

That takes care of the bigger fish more or less. Now I just need something smaller. Anthias seem like the best option. I wanted something cheap like damsels/chromis but Ive read that they just kill themselves off.

[dusty16]

Also want something that stays in or around the sand. Some sand sifting dude.

[albert_dao]

Originally Posted by dusty16

Is it ok to have different types of anthias? Like 3 of barletts and 3 lyretale?

The answer is: sometimes? Fish are like cats. Sometimes it works and you get a really mellow group, sometimes it doesn't because one dude wants to fight at the party. Hell, sometimes you mix the same species and that one dude kills off everyone else because he doesn't like their elbows. It's not common, but I've seen it enough times to say it's not a isolated. My advice, buy the more boisterous species (lyretail) after the Bartletts and try to get them smaller than said Bartletts.

[Piscez]

Originally Posted by dusty16

I love your tank Piscez. It looks great. I thought that the Majestic Angel wasnt reef safe though.

Here is what I know I want for sure.
I have 2 clowns and a foxface already
Blue Hippo
Yellow Tang
Purple Tang
Powder Blue Tang
Regal Angel
Flame Angel
Copperband butterfly
And now possibly a zebra moray eel.
Debated a naso tang for a while but they seem too big.

That takes care of the bigger fish more or less. Now I just need something smaller. Anthias seem like the best option. I wanted something cheap like damsels/chromis but Ive read that they just kill themselves off.

Thanks a few things changed I think I should post some updated pics as I lost few fish, but regarding reef safe, my majestic ate my Zoa's but leaves the rest of my softies alone and I don't have any SPS so not an issue.

Orange spotted gobys are great for sand cleaning but a PITA to keep in the tank, big jumpers, even when I put a mesh on they would jump out of the hole where my auto feeder was. After losing 6 I gave up and now rely on conches and Cerith snails

[rishu_pepper]

Regarding anthias, Albert is spot on about their feeding regiment. If they feed pellets/flakes, you're in, but if not, you're gonna have a bad time.

Recently I lost a really beautiful specimen of a male squareback anthias, we were crushed, unreal colours; it was eating well at LFS and in the first few days, but eventually stopped and withered away. I also had a pair of lyretails about half a year ago doing the same thing. Only one female lyretail remains now, healthy as ever, but definitely make sure you get good ones that eat well.

Triggers are pretty cool, have you considered them?

[ponokareefer]

Originally Posted by dusty16

I love your tank Piscez. It looks great. I thought that the Majestic Angel wasnt reef safe though.

Here is what I know I want for sure.
I have 2 clowns and a foxface already
Blue Hippo
Yellow Tang
Purple Tang
Powder Blue Tang
Regal Angel
Flame Angel
Copperband butterfly
And now possibly a zebra moray eel.
Debated a naso tang for a while but they seem too big.

That takes care of the bigger fish more or less. Now I just need something smaller. Anthias seem like the best option. I wanted something cheap like damsels/chromis but Ive read that they just kill themselves off.

If you want something smaller you want to make sure it can stick up for itself. Starry blenny's are a fish with a lot of personality. Dartfish are pretty skittish.

My stocky anthias don't back down from my bigger fish unlike my lyretail's. Pictures don't due them justice for how colorful they are.

Chromis's are likely to kill each other off. There are some people that have been successful longer term but with multiple feedings/day. I've had my 5 for 10 months but that is not a success story yet.

Avoid damsels. They will be terrors.