I currently have a porcupine puffer, cuban hog fish, and a dragon wrasse. I have a 110 gal tank. I just went to the LFS and put a large maroon clown and a yellow tang on hold. Although I have compatability charts and it seems like they'll be OK, I was wondering what all of you thougt. Thanks
Fish compatability?
- Thread starter Roly
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I would not encourage putting a Yellow Tang in a tank that is less than 6 feet long. I don't know the standard dimensions of the 110, but if it is 6 feet or longer, then the aquarium is right for a Tang.
I think you're planning on too many fish for that size tank, but I don't know for sure, since you don't mention other system features.
The fishes you have and are planning for are omnivores, carnivores, and one herbivore (the Tang). Since most the fishes are carnivores and omnivores, I would pass up the Tang. Reasons include: lack of space; the excessive bio-load; and because the Tang is the outlier type of fish. You'd have to try to get seaweed to the Tang while other fishes 'look on' and the predators are not so keen at being a bystander while another fish eats.
Otherwise, the addition of the Maroon should work out well. Try and spare the reefs and get one that has been tank bred.
I think you're planning on too many fish for that size tank, but I don't know for sure, since you don't mention other system features.
The fishes you have and are planning for are omnivores, carnivores, and one herbivore (the Tang). Since most the fishes are carnivores and omnivores, I would pass up the Tang. Reasons include: lack of space; the excessive bio-load; and because the Tang is the outlier type of fish. You'd have to try to get seaweed to the Tang while other fishes 'look on' and the predators are not so keen at being a bystander while another fish eats.
Otherwise, the addition of the Maroon should work out well. Try and spare the reefs and get one that has been tank bred.
Youre right. My tank is only 4 feet long. Because of your advise Im gonna pass on the Tang. Do you think that I have reached the limit on the amount of fish I should have? I do weekly water changes and so far everything seems to be OK. My No3 levels arent perfect but they are not high. My skimmer seems to be workin well. I was planning on 5 fish total. The three that I already have, the clown, and one more. I was plannin on the Tang but I now know that that isnt a good idea. But I would like another. Should I stop?
There's a lot about your system that I do not know about. But I am assuming you have an 'average' FOWLR system.
The fish you want and have can grow to approximate sizes indicated below:
Porcupine Puffer: 12 inches
Cuban Hog Fish: 6 inches
Dragon Wrasse: 12 inches
Maroon Anemonefish (assuming a female): 6 inches
The fact that some are strict carnivores means they expect a lot of whole meaty foods. That means extra wastes and burden on the biological filter.
Although your nitrates aren't a problem for a FOWLR or FO system, there are other hidden and important features to water quality, space stress, and environmental issues for the fish to deal with.
Let's say the fish get to just half their full adult size. That's 18 inches of pretty thick (high mass) fishes. That's a bio load for a 'normal' 125+ gallon FOWLR system. If you plan on keeping these fish for more than a couple of years, the tank is not going to work to their benefit. When they have reached their adult size, they should be in a marine system of no less than 200 gallons.
Those very experienced and professionals that keep Porcupine Puffers suggest the fish to be housed, alone, in a 90 gallon marine system or larger. Keep this in mind.
The fish you want and have can grow to approximate sizes indicated below:
Porcupine Puffer: 12 inches
Cuban Hog Fish: 6 inches
Dragon Wrasse: 12 inches
Maroon Anemonefish (assuming a female): 6 inches
The fact that some are strict carnivores means they expect a lot of whole meaty foods. That means extra wastes and burden on the biological filter.
Although your nitrates aren't a problem for a FOWLR or FO system, there are other hidden and important features to water quality, space stress, and environmental issues for the fish to deal with.
Let's say the fish get to just half their full adult size. That's 18 inches of pretty thick (high mass) fishes. That's a bio load for a 'normal' 125+ gallon FOWLR system. If you plan on keeping these fish for more than a couple of years, the tank is not going to work to their benefit. When they have reached their adult size, they should be in a marine system of no less than 200 gallons.
Those very experienced and professionals that keep Porcupine Puffers suggest the fish to be housed, alone, in a 90 gallon marine system or larger. Keep this in mind.
Wow. I feel kinda dumb because I should have known these things. Thanks for your help with this and with the clam issue I had for my puffer. You have been very helpful. I will hold off for now on. I already bought the clown but that will be it for me. I will get a larger tank in the future so I could do all of the things I want. By the way, it is a FO tank
Don't feel badly Roly. Almost all aquarists at some time or other has been so 'enthusiastic' about the hobby that they want to put a lot of fishes/marine life into a small space. We all want everything! But the plastic or glass 'cage' we buy has its limits.
You are, by the way, more than welcome!
Live long and prosper.
But the plastic or glass 'cage' we buy has its limits. You are, by the way, more than welcome!
Live long and prosper.
