55 gallon FOWLR aquarium stocking

[fish4life157]

Hello Fishlore! These are the following fish I plan to have in my 55 gallon FOWLR tank- coral Beauty, 2 ocellaris clowns, six line wrasse, and royal gramma. That adds up to about 17 inches of fish when full grown. I currently have a fillstar xp2 cannister rated for 75 gallons. I will purchase an HOB skimmer if problems arise with nitrates or anything else. I want to add 3-6 more inches of fish if possible. I am thinking about purchasing 2 green chromis for my tank. Do you think this is a good plan to stock my 55 gallon aquarium? If you have any ideas about fish that could replace the chromis's post those as well because I want fish that are more colorful than that species.

 

[ryanr]

You're referring to inches of fish. Are you implying the inch-per-gallon rule? If so, I'd stop there, it is not applicable to FW, and is definitely not applicable to Saltwater species.

Your stock list is pretty good for a 55G as it is. I probably wouldn't want to add any more. You pretty much have the same stock as I have in my 3' 66G.

Don't under-estimate the beauty of the Green Chromis You could possibly add up to 4 Chromis, or a pair of BangaiI Cardinals, or a PJ cardinal, or a Flamehawk (depends if you want inverts)

That would pretty much have you stocked.

I think you'll find that you'll need the skimmer, and won't need the canister filter.

 

[fish4life157]

@ryanr
But can I keep the canister with the HOB skimmer? I really love how clear it makes the water and I would hate to give it up. Would two chromis really add to the bioload? I have no corals and only 55 pounds of live rock and LOTS of open swimming space. My tank also contains plenty of caves and holes for fish to dart through.

 

[ryanr]

You'll be surprised how clear your water will stay just with a skimmer. I don't run any mechanical filtration, just good turnover and flow in the tank, and a skimmer, my water is crystal clear.

It's up to you, I don't recommend canisters because of their propensity to become nitrate factories. You can run it if you want, but keep an eye on nitrates, and be prepared to service the canister every week to keep detritus from building up in it.

With SW, it's not so much the bio-load. The Live Rock at 1 - 1.5lbs per gallon provides plenty of media for bacteria to grow on. With SW, your big concern is swim space and territories.
You're already stocking a coral beauty, and like their Freshwater counterparts, angels can be territorial and aggressive.
The six line wrasse can also be aggressive, and are known to potentially scrap with Chromis https://www.fishlore.com/profile-sixlinewrasse.htm

I did say you could possibly do up to 4 chromis

 

[fish4life157]

@ryanr so I could get rid of the canister filter all together and just use the HOB skimmer? And which one (the coral beauty or angelfish) should I add last into my tank?

 

[ryanr]

Yes, you could get rid of the canister altogether

I think you meant coral beauty or wrasse? (CB is a dwarf angel)

I'd stock as follows:
Clowns
Royal Gramma
Coral Beauty
Wrasse

I introduced my six line wrasse last, and haven't had any problems. (but each specimen is its own fish)

 

[fish4life157]

haha my bad ;D And if I do decide to get the 3 chromis I should put them in quarantine first right?

 

[Tigress Hill]

haha my bad ;D And if I do decide to get the 3 chromis I should put them in quarantine first right?

Always

 

[ryanr]

Always a good idea to QT all Saltwater fish (and Freshwater for that matter). With SW, more so because they are often wild-caught (who knows what they might have), and secondly trying to get fish out of a tank full of Live Rock... hmmmm

 

[fish4life157]

Yeah @ryanr I have a 10 gallon set up right now ready for the fish. I was wondering how long the quarantine should last and if I should add any medications to get rid of any parasites of unwanted bacteria.

 

[ryanr]

Is it cycled? (the QT)

The general consensus seems to be 4-8 weeks in QT. That's 4-8 weeks of health, if you get to week 3, and get a problem, the 4-8 weeks resets and starts again when treatment is complete.

I know there are some things people do to as a prophylactic treatment.

I don't actually personally do the quarantining of fish, it is done by the company that catch the fish (Australian law for imported animals), and then again at the LFS I buy from. The wild-caught fish get quarantined for 4-6 weeks before my LFS gets them, and the LFS will hold them for me another couple of weeks to make sure they survive transport stress etc.
It sounds risky not doing the QT myself, but I have never had any disease in my tank (FW or SW). It's a process that works here.

 

[fish4life157]

@ryanr I used water from my main tank... does that count as a cycle?

 

[ryanr]

@ryanr I used water from my main tank... does that count as a cycle?

No. You need to have a cycled QT that can process ammonia, nitrite (the same way your display/main tank does). This normally requires cured live rock (not a good idea in a QT), or some other form of media that bacteria would colonise. There is very little bacteria in the water itself.

 

[fish4life157]

@ryanr so should I set a small piece of LR in my tank to allow it to cycle? How long should this take?

 

[ryanr]

Cycling can take 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, there's no set time period (same as FW)

If I were in your situation, I'd get the display tank full of live rock, cycling. At the same time put some extra pvc pipe in it, and maybe some filter sponges, and let it acquire a bacteria colony. Once the display is cycled, then get your QT ready. When you bring the fish home, move the pvc pipe and filter sponge material into the QT (PVC pipe makes good hiding spots), ensure you have good circulation in the QT, and bingo, cycled QT

 

[fish4life157]

@ryanr Thanks for all the help!

 

[ryanr]

You're welcome.

Too, be sure to try and maintain the same parameters (Temp, salinity, pH etc) in the QT as the Display, then when it's time to move the fish, no acclimation is necessary.

 

[Krish Sridar]

HI originally planned on setting up a freshwater tank but decided to give saltwater a go. I have a hydor skimmer, fluval 307 cnaister and a fluval led light, fluval cp4 circulation pump. Just ordered some live rock and live sand. How should I go about stocking this tank and how many of each? Any more equipment I need? I would like some beginner friendly fish.

 

[FinalFins]

Hi, I'm not sure if you need more equipment, too much of it for me to delve into marine but you have a hydrometer/refractometer right?

For stocking, (reading this off a book)

6 chromis, either the green chromis or the blue chromis,
4 neon gobies, Elactinus spp.
2 clown gobies,
1 royal gramma,
6 peppermint shrimp.

or

1 damsel
2 clowns, true or false percula clown
1 chalk basslet,
1 flasher wrasse,
3 cardinalfish, all same species, BangaiI or pajama cardinals,
1 coral banded shimp

or

2 damsels,
1 small wrasse, (I think they are implying six line wrasse)
1 basslet
1 yellow tang

David E Boruchowiz, Saltwater Aquariums, published 2007

 

[NC122606]

HI originally planned on setting up a freshwater tank but decided to give saltwater a go. I have a hydor skimmer, fluval 307 cnaister and a fluval led light, fluval cp4 circulation pump. Just ordered some live rock and live sand. How should I go about stocking this tank and how many of each? Any more equipment I need? I would like some beginner friendly fish.

Do you have a QT? It’s needed for saltwater, unless you don’t want to. Do you have a heater? Salinity reader, test kit, TDS, and extra Salt. I think you should be fine with a Auto top off. Also get a RO/DI unit, it will help you in the long run.

Fish...
I suggest going to LiveAquaria and filtering it for 55 gallons and seeing what you like.
You can do something like
Kole Tangs
Clownfish
Royal Gramma
Pair of BanggaI Cardinals
Fire fish
Etc
Find what you like and come back to get some info on them!

Hi, I'm not sure if you need more equipment, too much of it for me to delve into marine but you have a hydrometer/refractometer right?

For stocking, (reading this off a book)

6 chromis, either the green chromis or the blue chromis,
4 neon gobies, Elactinus spp.
2 clown gobies,
1 royal gramma,
6 peppermint shrimp.

or

1 damsel
2 clowns, true or false percula clown
1 chalk basslet,
1 flasher wrasse,
3 cardinalfish, all same species, BangaiI or pajama cardinals,
1 coral banded shimp

or

2 damsels,
1 small wrasse, (I think they are implying six line wrasse)
1 basslet
1 yellow tang

David E Boruchowiz, Saltwater Aquariums, published 2007

I know you’re reading off a book but...
1. Yellow Tang Too big
2. Sixline wrasse too aggressive
3. Trio of Cardinalfish will form a pair and kill the other
4. Damsels are a nightmare unless you go for the peaceful ones
5. Large Chromis groups sadly widdle down to nothing.
But still some of the suggestions are pretty good!

 

[SomeoneFISHy]

I have a 55 gallon, and I'm just riding the waves. I mean that by just going along with how things look. For my FOWLR, I want to have a good community tank, with outgoing, friendly fish. All mine are easy/moderate care. I would recommend herbivores, as I have no idea how to get carnivores to eat

My idea:

2 Clowns - True/False Percula, or Ocellaris

A single kind of Dartfish OR Jawfish (Jaws can get a little territorial, and might spit sand. Fun!)

Fairy Wrasse OR Six-Streaked Wrasse.

2-4 Clown Gobies OR 1 Dwarf Angel.

The inverts might be hard to stock. Urchins are always a safe bet. Some turbo snails are good. Lobsters, Shrimp, Fan Worms, and Stars are good too.

 

[NC122606]

I have a 55 gallon, and I'm just riding the waves. I mean that by just going along with how things look. For my FOWLR, I want to have a good community tank, with outgoing, friendly fish. All mine are easy/moderate care. I would recommend herbivores, as I have no idea how to get carnivores to eat

My idea:

2 Clowns - True/False Percula, or Ocellaris

A single kind of Dartfish OR Jawfish (Jaws can get a little territorial, and might spit sand. Fun!)

Fairy Wrasse OR Six-Streaked Wrasse.

2-4 Clown Gobies OR 1 Dwarf Angel.

The inverts might be hard to stock. Urchins are always a safe bet. Some turbo snails are good. Lobsters, Shrimp, Fan Worms, and Stars are good too.

Hey, you can usually get carnivores to eat by giving them supplies of live ghost shrimp. Once they start eating then you can try brine shrimp or something meaty! Use LRS Reef Frenzy.

 

[Krish Sridar]

Do you have a QT? It’s needed for saltwater, unless you don’t want to. Do you have a heater? Salinity reader, test kit, TDS, and extra Salt. I think you should be fine with a Auto top off. Also get a RO/DI unit, it will help you in the long run.

Fish...
I suggest going to LiveAquaria and filtering it for 55 gallons and seeing what you like.
You can do something like
Kole Tangs
Clownfish
Royal Gramma
Pair of BanggaI Cardinals
Fire fish
Etc
Find what you like and come back to get some info on them!

other than the quarantine tank I do have all the other miscellaneous equipment like heaters etc. Are there any schooling type fish I can keep?

 

[NC122606]

other than the quarantine tank I do have all the other miscellaneous equipment like heaters etc. Are there any schooling type fish I can keep?

Ok so, Saltwater isn't really good at keeping schooling fish. Chromis is really your only option and if you add them all at the same time you should be fine. Chromis might attack each other if one is added after them or they might just not do it. Chromis are aggressive towards each other so I wouldn't think they would last that long, maybe if you get lucky and have good conditions. If you would like to try it you can and it may work out for you! Maybe 5 or 6 would work.

 

[Krish Sridar]

Ok so, Saltwater isn't really good at keeping schooling fish. Chromis is really your only option and if you add them all at the same time you should be fine. Chromis might attack each other if one is added after them or they might just not do it. Chromis are aggressive towards each other so I wouldn't think they would last that long, maybe if you get lucky and have good conditions. If you would like to try it you can and it may work out for you! Maybe 5 or 6 would work.

**** that sucks...
so far I have been thinking of the following:
- 2x clownfish
- 2x BanggaI Cardinal
- 1x Watchman Goby
- 1x Dwarf flame angel
- 1x royal gramma basslet

 

[NC122606]

**** that sucks...
so far I have been thinking of the following:
- 2x clownfish
- 2x BanggaI Cardinal
- 1x Watchman Goby
- 1x Dwarf flame angel
- 1x royal gramma basslet

Sounds good! You may be able to fit a Kole Tang in there as well! If you need something else just post back here.

 

[Krish Sridar]

Sounds good! You may be able to fit a Kole Tang in there as well! If you need something else just post back here.

Thanks for your help!

 

[SomeoneFISHy]

Good luck with the schooling fish

I've heard Kaudern's cardinalfish are good.

Hey, you can usually get carnivores to eat by giving them supplies of live ghost shrimp. Once they start eating then you can try brine shrimp or something meaty! Use LRS Reef Frenzy.

Thanks I can look into that! I've been worried about the little guy.

 

[saltwater60]

Sounds good! You may be able to fit a Kole Tang in there as well! If you need something else just post back here.

I have no idea why you’re pushing a like tang for a 55 gallon tank. No tang is suitable for a 55 gallon tank.

I personally hate canister filters for saltwater. They are nitrate factories.
I like the following fish for a 55 gallon tank
Clowns are great smaller species like ocellaris or percula.
Wrasses are great a robe and colorful. Just get smaller species.
A dwarf angel might work well. Some can be slightly aggressive but most are not too much trouble
BangaiI cardinals are pretty cool fish
Many different gobies would work as well.
Orchid dottybacks are nice.

 

[SomeoneFISHy]

I'm glad that I provided good advice. I usually end up getting most facts wrong

 

[NC122606]

I have no idea why you’re pushing a like tang for a 55 gallon tank. No tang is suitable for a 55 gallon tank.

Sorry I’m just like that.
But also I think that a Kole tang would fit, not any of the yellow, blue hippo, or purple. I know you don’t agree but I think so. TominI would be the best fit.

 

[saltwater60]

Sorry I’m just like that.
But also I think that a Kole tang would fit, not any of the yellow, blue hippo, or purple. I know you don’t agree but I think so. TominI would be the best fit.

Sorry. I do disagree along with every web site and reference I’ve checked. Let me explain why.
The lowest tank size recommended for a kole tang is 70 gallons and that’s 25-30% larger than a 55. Also many web sites state the larger the better because they are active swimmers.
IMO and experience tangs are active swimmers roaming the tank constantly and if they don’t have the room they get stressed and are subject to illnesses and/or sometimes aggression towards other tank mates. A 55 gallon is only 12” in depth front to back and that’s not deep enough IMO. It’s also recommended to have a good amount of live rock since they are herbivores so they have natural food to pick on. This habitat preference will take up more valuable tank space needed to a very active free swimming fish.
Kole Tang Care - Size, Life Span, Tank Mates, Breeding

 

[SomeoneFISHy]

Tangs would be pretty hard to keep. I honestly want one, but I think it might be for the best not to have one in a 55.

May I suggest a Dwarf Angel instead? They are smaller, but serve the same kind of look as a tang. The color variation is SO PRETTY as well!

 

[saltwater60]

Tangs would be pretty hard to keep. I honestly want one, but I think it might be for the best not to have one in a 55.

May I suggest a Dwarf Angel instead? They are smaller, but serve the same kind of look as a tang. The color variation is SO PRETTY as well!

I agree. Some great dwarf angels.
Less disease risk with dwarf angels too. Tangs are ich magnets especially when stressed out.

 

[Fishenthusiast123]

Tangs would be pretty hard to keep. I honestly want one, but I think it might be for the best not to have one in a 55.

May I suggest a Dwarf Angel instead? They are smaller, but serve the same kind of look as a tang. The color variation is SO PRETTY as well!

I've had more difficulty keeping dwarf angelfish alive compared to tangs. I had a yellow tang in a 60 gallon (died do to an ammonia spike) and I currently own a yellow mimic tang in my 75 gallon. I have owned two coral beauties. The first survived for a month or two in the 60 gallon before dying. Still don't know what happened - she was plump and had no marks. The second didn't make it past quarantine. From what I've heard coral beauties are the best dwarf you can get - a pygmy angel is hardy but if they don't have enough room they're nasty little creatures. My tangs have never had an ich problem and besides for trying to be top dogs and fighting with my sebae clown and trigger (The yellow basically slashed at the trigger because they shared the same cave, the yellow mimic gets his dorsal fin shredded every now and then when he skirmishes with the sebae over some food) they mesh very well with semI aggressive fish. Both coral beauties had bouts of ich.