Stocking ideas

[SteveJP]

As I snorkel in the reefs of Cancun, I realize I want a saltwater tank. My wife really wants a kole tang, so I want to build a tank for her in a few years. (Going to do a lot of research on everything before i start building.) I was wondering, what kind of fish mates can happily live with a kole tang? I'm making a tank from acrylic (dimensions 9'L x 2'H x 2W). I don't want too many fish, total of 4-5 with a good bit of crustaceans and a mandarin fish or two. Thanks

 

[Jolee0722]

You are looking at a 270 gallon fish tank. You could definitely put way more than five fish, so it is good so that if you want more fish then you could potentially add more. I would recommend getting a large angelfish. Your tank is perfect for them. My personal favorite is the emperor angelfish. It is fun to watch them grow and change.

 

[Grizz]

Theres very few fish that cant be kept with the kole. Here's a chart that will help you chose tank mates

Marine Compatability Chart

 

[Jolee0722]

Also, a group of anthills may be fun to watch.

 

[Jolee0722]

Anthias not anthills, stupid autocorrect.

 

[JAKEPIN]

I would do large angel for sure, emperor and queen are my personal favorites, maybe a foxface or a wrasse might be a good idea

 

[SteveJP]

These are all great ideas. I really new to saltwater. I've been told that it easier to start a saltwater tank in a large tank vs a small tank. I've had quite a bit of experience with fresh water: Cichlids, community fish, plating. I'm hoping this will have more of a challenge.

 

[JAKEPIN]

These are all great ideas. I really new to saltwater. I've been told that it easier to start a saltwater tank in a large tank vs a small tank. I've had quite a bit of experience with fresh water: Cichlids, community fish, plating. I'm hoping this will have more of a challenge.

If you are new, than I would wait with the angel. They tend to be moderate to difficult to take care of. I would do the foxface, kole tang, any maybe a harlequin tusk. Those are kinda cool. If you want, you can also add a blue tang, just add it with the kole. The rule of thumb with tangs is you need to introduce at the name time, and they need different body shape. ( blue and naso wouldn't work) the mandarin is kinds hard, so I would wait to get it. If you need help, just give me a shout!

 

[Jolee0722]

Then maybe you can get a dwarf angel. They are easier to take care of than large angels.

 

[JAKEPIN]

Agreed. Plus, if you are going big, than I would get two; perhaps I bicolor and a flame angel

 

[Jolee0722]

They may be expensive but I really like the colorization of the multicolor angel.

 

[SteveJP]

Money is really not an option when it come to stocking. I want to do it right when it comes to keeping healthy fish. I really like the coloration of the dwarf angels too. Another though, kind of off topic, how do I find out if these fish are reef safe? Will it say it in the description of the fish?

 

[Jolee0722]

Go to liveaquaria and they have a bunch of information including whether the fish is reef safe or not.

 

[SteveJP]

Awesome! Thank you

 

[bribo12]

Oh man if money isn't a problem for stocking get a gem tang! Now that's an expensive fish. But seriously I like yellow tangs, harlequin tusk wrasse, a shoal of anthias for sure. You could also do fairy wrasses and definitely a pair of clowns. A 270 is definitely a good size for a salt tank and you have tons of options for stocking! It's going to be fowlr not a reef, correct?

 

[Jolee0722]

Actually, since you have a really big tank, you could get more than 2 clowns. It's awesome to see groups of them swimming around. If money isn't an issue, gold flake angels are awesome and one of my favorite fish. They are pretty expensive.

 

[Jolee0722]

Also, are you planning on a reef tank?

 

[SteveJP]

By my understanding, I want to do reef. I would like some corals in it. I really like the plant life, but I don't want to get too extravagant with the decor.

 

[Jolee0722]

Ok because a harlequin tusk wrasse and many angels and dwarf angels are caution with reef. Harlequin tusk with a reef is a no no. The angels are prone to nipping at corals, but I have seen many who are just fine. Just be with caution when adding them to a reef or when adding coral.

 

[SteveJP]

I defiantly will. I'm going to take a few years and do research on everything I'm going to put in the tank. The jewel tang is definitely something I would love to get. I don't understand why they cost so much. I saw a few people who spent 1000 each, others 3000.