Can multiple fish species coexist in a limited space?

[zenix4]

I'm still in the process of setting up my tank, but I'm curious about the fish I can keep together in a standard 75 gallon tank (48Lx18W). I've got my heart set on a blue hippo tang, a yellow tang, a pair of clown fish - you know, the ones like Nemo. I'd also love to add another pair of clown fish, the black and white ones, if possible. And I'm definitely gonna throw in some coflakes. I'm planning to add these fish gradually, so I don't overwhelm my bio load. What do you guys think? I'll have around 110 pounds of rock in there, so I'm hoping that'll help with the load.

[rileyon]

I'd advise against the hippo tang, they just get too big for a standard 75 gallon tank.

As for the clown fish, one pair would be the safe bet, you'd really need a massive tank to successfully keep multiple pairs. I've heard of some people having success with a group of 6 or 7 juvenile clowns, but I wouldn't recommend it personally.

The yellow tang might work, but keep in mind they're very active swimmers and need plenty of room to move around. You'd have to start with a small one and be prepared to rehome it if it outgrows the tank.

Considering your tank size, I think a dwarf angel or a flasher wrasse would be a better fit. You could also look into some chromis or similar fish that stay relatively small and would add some natural movement to the tank.

[finleydive]

I'm on the same page as Rileyon.
While I think you could make the yellow tang work, the hippo tang's definitely out of the question.
There are plenty of small reef-safe wrasse and other little fish like gobies that'd help cover different levels in your tank.

[flicker3]

I'd definitely rule out the hippo, it's just not suitable. Maybe consider an embera hawkfish or a pair of neon gobys instead, they could work well in your setup.

[flame9x]

I'm still in the process of setting up my tank, but I'm curious about the fish I can keep together in a standard 75 gallon tank (48Lx18W). I've got my heart set on a blue hippo tang, a yellow tang, a pair of clown fish - you know, the ones like Nemo. I'd also love to add another pair of clown fish, the black and white ones, if possible. And I'm definitely gonna throw in some coflakes. I'm planning to add these fish gradually, so I don't overwhelm my bio load. What do you guys think? I'll have around 110 pounds of rock in there, so I'm hoping that'll help with the load.

You can keep the yellow tang, but be aware that it's an active swimmer and needs space.

One pair of clown fish is doable, but not two pairs. However, some people have successfully paired a regular percula with a black and white one, so you could consider that.

As for the coflakes, just make sure to leave some space for additional rocks and decorations. Some coflakes might come attached to rocks, so keep that in mind.

[zenix4]

Are there other show fish I could keep besides the yellow tang? I want fish I can see, not ones that max out at an inch and a half.

[rileyon]

I think fish that are too big for a tank, it just doesn't look right, you want them to look like they're in their natural environment. Something like a dwarf angelfish or a small foxface rabbitfish might be a good choice. They're showy, but they stay relatively small, so they'd be a good fit for your tank.

[brunobear]

I've found that a lot of reef safe wrasses tend to reach around 3 inches in length. In my experience with a similar tank size, albeit a shallower one, I've noticed that fish exceeding this size just become too large for the space. I'd advise against keeping any Tangs in a tank of this size, to be honest.

Anthias could be a great option for you, and you might also want to consider shoaling fish. Although they might be small individually, they can create a more dramatic visual effect when viewed from a distance, which could be quite nice.

[rileyon]

I agree with the suggestions about wrasses, they're a great choice for a reef tank. Check out some of these:
http/www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_di...amp;pcatid=2648
http/www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_di...amp;pcatid=1397
http/www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_di...&pcatid=375

Reef tanks can be a handful, and large messy fish just make it tougher. I'm planning on using a sump to help keep things under control.

[flame9x]

Take a look at this one - the purple firefish. I think it'd be a great addition to your tank. A small group of these would be pretty easy to care for, and they're active swimmers so they'd be fun to watch. Alternatively, you could also consider a small school of green chromis - they're pretty low maintenance and can be kept in a small group.