Opinions needed

[skeety]

Okay...so the essance of this post is, what can I add to my 72 SPS tank?

I've had the tank for over 2 years...as a result, I've had some losses. After I finally got the tank where I want it, the losses from that point on were beyond my control.

I have:

fish:
1 coral beauty
1 hippo tang
2 chromis

inverts:
~15 hermits
6 snails

that's it.

LOTS of SPS's...but as far as mobile life's concerned...the tank's lacking.

4-5 months ago, I lost my 2 clowns (about a week apart) due to their desire to be the fish equivelents of astronauts. Then, last week, I lost my cleaner shrimp (due to old age, I'm thinking). The tank's just looking kind of empty.

But with the Hippo in there, I'm not really sure what else I can add. I WILL not rearrange the rock to reset territories, so that options out. My SPS's are pretty much established and growing across rocks. Not to mention, I just don't think it's worth it. So that said, I'm open to any ideas.

Upstairs, I have my 75 gallon softie tank, which I think will be coming down soon. In it, I have a purple firefish (girlie, in a macho kind of way ) a scarlet cleaner shrimp, and a watchman goby/pistol shrimp combo.

I'm DEFINITELY gonna throw the scarlet cleaner in the 72 SPS tank.
I don't think the Tang will give him any grief.

But what about the dart fish? Wonder if the Tang will beat that guy to death.

And the Watchman/Pistol combo. I think the watchman can handle himself...not worried there. But I AM worried about adding the pistol to a tank that's pretty high in flow. he's SOOO tiny, and his tunnels would get demolished constantly. But maybe he'd find a good spot in the back, where there's not as much flow. Opinions on this?

Or should I just add something else entirely different? Suggestions?

I'm only thinking one or two more fish at most...think I'm close to max...but afraid I might have to small a bio-load now that I've lost a few critters.

Thoughts?

[VWD]

Mike You have so many options, Many fish you can put in that tank, Hippo tang may get mad but adjust to a new tankmate, Like You said you can move things around alittle.

Flame hawk
some firefish

some new clowns


so many fish out there

[skeety]

My question is...the Hippo WILL get over it?

He's my main concern. But at the same time, he's my most prized fish, so it's not like there's the option of getting rid of him.

[LadyReefNeck]

From my experience the hippo tangs are less irritable than say the Purple Tang when it comes to other fish. There are so many choices. I've always liked the Yellow Coris Wrasse and Sixline Wrasse for color and they are always out swimming visibly. I've never seen them give the shrimp any hassles either.

I wouldn't worry about adding the goby/pistol shrimp pair into a high flow tank ... they will find a location they like. My husband has alot of flow in his tank and his pair of Yellow Watchman gobies and their Tiger Pistol shrimp found a great spot at one end.

Just my $0.02 worth.

[Tim224DT]

More clowns, wrasse, gobies, bleenys are all cool

[frankandmaura]

Is another Tang out of the question? I just got a Yellow Eye Kole Tang and I love it. It is a really cool addition, not aggressive at all and id constantly picking at the rock for algae. Lot of motion and nice colors...in fact, I think it looks a lot like a Purple Tang, but its tail is not yellow. And the price is very reasonable. I got a nice 3" for about $23 at Blue Zoo.

[frankandmaura]

Oh...and mine is in with a Hippo...they are fine with each other.

[Doug1]

In time the Hippo is going to outgrow that tank, they can exceed 12"

[tdwyatt]

scribbled foxface

[skeety]

Originally Posted by Doug1

In time the Hippo is going to outgrow that tank, they can exceed 12"

Well aware of that Doug...which is PRECISELY why I'm working on getting the 330 gal tank up later this year! hahaha

Right now, he's only at about 4-5"...so i think I got time.

I just worry about him beating up any new addition

[mtfatwork]

if he is happy I wouldnt worry to terribly much about it. A rabbitfish would be a good addition, or I am partial to wrasses. All of my tangs seem to leave my wrasses alone. Maybe a flasher, or if you are worried about it being too small you can look at the fairy wrasses (there are some beautiful ones) Even a green coris wrasse can be a nice addition, especially because they like to much on little worms and those annoying itty-bitty snails.

[reefBoyDc]

Hey Mike, some ideas:

Royal Gramma
Six-Line Wrasse
Any Fairy Wrasse (they are so colorful an beautiful)
Coral Banded Shrimp
Sally lightfoot crab
Anthias
More chromis (they're awesome when in schools)

[maveri9720]

If you lost your clownfish to adventurous curiosity, then I would steer clear of all Wrasse, b/c I am assuming you have an open top. They are notorious jumpers. I have 3 Flasher Wrasse and they tend to ping around alot when startled.

Depending on how soon you are going to get the 330 up and running, I personally like Foxface rabbitfish.

Another pair of clowns would be nice.

Some Firefish. Maybe some more Chromis.

I don't think you would have a long-term prob adding new fish, as you might have with the Purple or Yellow tangs.

[Geoff]

get a bunch of fairy/flasher wrasses. super easy to keep (as long as you can keep them in the tank).

G~

[crvz]

Hmm, if you're in the process of upgrading, a Genicanthus angelfish is pretty rare (and reef-safe). Some can get to about 9 inches, but they are unique stateside in the hobby.

Or maybe a Xanthichthys trigger (think blue-throat or crosshatch). Great fish, mostly reef safe (i hear they like ornamental shrimp, but thats about it), and again, more unique. But also, get to about 9-10 inches as adults (would not recommend long term in a tank less than about 120 gallons).

I also second the Kole tang (or any of the Ctenochaetus, such as the tomini or, if you've a liberal budget, maybe a chevron). Great grazers and easy going, I'd be surprised if you have trouble with a hippo (though I would advice against keeping that hippo in a 72 gallon, he's going to get cramped!). And should be good in that tank, they are one of the smaller tangs (~7 inches, I think).