How many inches

[Ethos]

Ok, so I dont think all those fish (on the list earlier) I wanted are going to make the cut. In fact, I dont think any of them will. I've decided my 75G is just going to be a live rock, invertabrates/fish tank.
I'm only going to house a few clowns (like nemo) and a tang (maybe a couple) and a clown triggerfish.
My question is how many inches can fit in a 75G saltwater? I've heard only 18 inches, but I HOPE that is wrong! Can that be?

 

[chkltcow]

You DO realize that clown triggers are some of the most aggressive aquarium fish out there, right? Putting one in a 75g with other fish is a bad idea. Well, putting one in a 75g PERIOD is a bad idea... but look beyond that for a second.

The tangs have some small chance of taking care of themselves. They have that little "razor" at the base of their tail and know how to defend themselves. Regardless, I was in the LFS one day when a clown trigger (well fed) just snapped and took the eye out of a yellow tang in a heartbeat. Just BAM and it was done. Now think about those poor little clowns crowded into a tank with it. Triggers should only be housed with other big aggressive fish capable of defending themselves... lionfish, triggers, big tangs, etc... or in a tank big enough to give everything territory. Clown triggers are cute, but people underestimate how evil they can be.

Now here's a little tidbit of info for you. At Ripley's Aquarium in Myrtle Beach, they used to have a few clown triggers in their huge "reef" tank. Last time I was there, they had ONE left. When asked why, the guy said it was because one had established itself as the alpha and would constantly chase the other triggers, to the point of starving itself because it wouldn't leave them alone long enough to eat. They eventually had to take out the problem fish and just left the most passive clown trigger in. Keep in mind, this is a 50,000+ gallon exhibit.

 

[California Ron]

I agree completely. We have a Huma Huma Trigger with a Snowflake Eel and wouldn't even think to put anything else in that tank. Your either going to have to go with 1 or 2 aggressive fish or go with several mild mannered fish. You will be throwing good money after bad if you try to put sweet fish with a trigger it will turn in to a snack tank.

 

[Navarre]

the only trigger i would say you can get away with in there is a bluethroat.. nowhere near as colourful but they are safe.
2 tangs in 75 gallons is also gonna cause issues.. you "might" and that is borderlines get away with a small bristletooth tang like a yellow eye but if you are considering anything larger than 75 gallons is far too small for 1 fish let alone 2 tangs.
Im really sorry, it seems the fish you have been choosing just wont fith the conditions you are able to provide for them. What i will say is that i congratulate you on asking here first before rushing out and getting the fish first (many dont). It proves you are trying to be responsible and want the best conditions for your fish.

Dont get dissheartened though, keep asking. Im sure we can all fidn suitable fish for a tank of this size.

 

[Ethos]

^Thanks

So,
Heres a second revised list,
Fish:
4 or 5 Clown fish
3 Damsels
1 Tang
Invertabrates:
Anemone (How many do you get? Or how are these sold? Like in patches?)



Ok, so like I asked before that no one answerd, how many inches of fish can fit in a 75G?
Does invertabrates count as inches of fish?
How is the anemone sold?

 

[parker313]

In SW, you really can't go by inches of fish.... It's much more about fish temperament, swimming style and compatibility with other fish.

For inverts/cleaning crew - you want 1 per gallon. So, in a 75g tank, you're going to want a mix of 75 snails and hermit crabs.

Anemones are sold in single species, not in a bunch or anything. I'd hold off on getting one til your tank is *well* established since they can die quickly and pollute the whole tank.

In fact, if the only reason you want an anemone is for your clownfish, you can forego the anemone and get something else like a toadstool leather mushroom coral. Clowns don't always host in something, but many like these leather mushrooms.

 

[ess17]

I hate to be the bearer of more bad news for you, but I see a couple things on your list that I am not so sure will work.

1. I don't think you will have much luck with 3 or 4 clowns in a tank unless you get two different pairs. Someone can correct me on this, but it seems like they would fight if they were all one kind, especially if there were 3 of the same kind.

2. I have heard more than one person on here say that damsels are a no no. They are agressive and if they cause problems in a tank, they are a nightmare to try to catch.

As far as anenomes, they are sold as a single organism just like a fish or a piece of coral. Go to liveaquaria.com to see pics to get an idea. Keep in mind these are very hard to keep healthy, even in great lighting. They need pristine water conditions and if they start to get sick, they can ommitt chemicals that will kill everything in your tank if you don't catch it in time. I don't think I would ever put more than 1 or 2 in a 75 GAL as most species get very large.

Unlike freshwater fish, don't get caught up in inches you can have in your tank. As you have been doing already, I suggest either getting a definitive list together of the fish you want and post them here and see what others think, or just start with the most passive fish you want and then as you add fish, just post here and ask opinions before you go buy it. I believe it was Nav that noted that it isn't always the size of the fish that matters, but how much bio-load they will bring to the tank. (For example Lion Fish).

I am a newbie, so take it for what it is worth, but I hope that helps.

 

[Ethos]

I have heard more than one person on here say that damsels are a no no. They are agressive and if they cause problems in a tank, they are a nightmare to try to catch.

It really depends. I know that they Domino Damsels are a pain in the butt! Even though their small, they are really, really territorial. But the Humbug damsel is great for begginers because their really hardy AND because they have the most courage in the damsel family.
The Sergeant major damsel on the other hand attacts anything that even looks at them (or trys to depending if theirs a 1/2 inch of glass seperating it) wrong. If you put these in your tank get ready for a action movie. Or a bunch of your fish go missing depending on wich comes first.
The Blue devel is also good because It swims on all leavels of the tank, and it can survive in tanks full opf fish 5 times it size.
So, again is depends on what you get.

I am a newbie, so take it for what it is worth, but I hope that helps.

Any bit of help can help anyone, even if its coming from a newbie like you to....Navarre for instince.....even though I doubt Navarre will ever need an info from me.
Plus your not that new..........You have more posts than me!

 

[Navarre]

Hey! im not all seeing expert im the first to admit that. And your right, even the newest member or hobbiest can point out things or see things tht i have never thought of or encountered. Never put yourself down no matter how new you are as its people like this that see the hobby in a whole new light and this helps to expand our knowledge just as much.

 

[Ethos]

^What did you think of my revised list? Can I fit 2 ( male and female) False percula clownfish, 2 (male and female) tamato clown fish, 2 or 3 Blue devel Damsels, 2 or 3 humbug damsels, 1 (maybe 2) yellow tangs. I like the power blue surgeon tang, but I dont think I can handle a herbavore right as I start off. Also, later in the game, I'll get the anemone* about the same time as I get the clowns fish. I wont be able to fit all of that I know, but I like those. What oout of those would work the best? (I really have my heart set on the clowns)

EditI think, if I dont just use they Leather back one.

 

[chkltcow]

If you're wanting a school of damsels..... I'd say look at chromis instead. Check out the blue-green reef chromis. They look like damsels, but without the evil.

http/www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Di....cfm?pCatId=115

And I'd steer clear of powder blue tangs too. The other day I was in the LFS and they were talking about tangs. One woman asked if the store owner could order her one, and before he even got a chance to react, another customer had jumped in and warned her against it. Apparently they are VERY prone to ich... more so than most tangs. The guy said he's had 5 of them over the years, and all of them got stressed and got ich and eventually died of it. Not very hardy.

 

[andywg]

Hey! im not all seeing expert im the first to admit that. And your right, even the newest member or hobbiest can point out things or see things tht i have never thought of or encountered. Never put yourself down no matter how new you are as its people like this that see the hobby in a whole new light and this helps to expand our knowledge just as much.

I hate to disagree here Nav, but to all intents and purposes, you are!

I would bet there's barely a thing you don't know, or know exactly where to find the info for on reef tanks.

Now, to stop this being a thread jack..

Ethos, I would be wary of anemones, not because of what they may do to the tank, but more because of being able to care for them. In the wild they live for 20+ years, yet in a survey of experienced reef keepers something like less than 7% had ever managed to get one past 2 whole years in an aquarium.

There were a few good threads quoting research on anemones in tanks about a month to 8 weeks ago that were really interesting.

As mentioned with the clowns, they don't need an anemone (despite what Disney teaches us ) and anumber will go for corals that are far easier to keep.

Again, I must congratulate you on researching here first. A couple of hours of research in marines can save s amll fortune later on.

HIH

Andy

 

[Ethos]

Thanks^, but still, no one has told me if they are all compatable and how you would configure the number of things out of that list. I know its very unlikely but, will all of that (With the revisions) fit in a 75G tank?

 

[chkltcow]

Thanks^, but still, no one has told me if they are all compatable and how you would configure the number of things out of that list. I know its very unlikely but, will all of that (With the revisions) fit in a 75G tank?

*sigh*

In a word.... NO. What you're planning is not gonna work.

Powder blue = ich factory... and your tank is too small
Yellow tang.... you might be able to get away with one, but they don't like being in pairs
Mixing two sets of clowns might not be a good idea because you end up with the possibility of them fighting over what they host in
Damsels, even those listed as "semi-aggressive", can prove to be a MAJOR pain in the butt. They're not afraid of other fish, and can end up harassing everything in your tank. I still think if you want a school of fish, look at blue-green reef chromis.

And I urge you, as I said in the other thread, DO NOT get an anemone.

 

[Ethos]

Yellow tang.... you might be able to get away with one, but they don't like being in pairs.

Ok, so I'll add one.

Mixing two sets of clowns might not be a good idea because you end up with the possibility of them fighting over what they host in

But earlier someone said not to add more than 2 clowns of the same kind. So when I see aguarium full of clowns, they had to make a compramise somewhere. So where?

Damsels, even those listed as "semi-aggressive", can prove to be a MAJOR pain in the butt. They're not afraid of other fish, and can end up harassing everything in your tank. I still think if you want a school of fish, look at blue-green reef chromis.

As I have said earlier in a post ahead, it depends on what kind of damsel you get. their is more than just one you know.

And I urge you, as I said in the other thread, DO NOT get an anemone.

Also as I have said, I am CONSIDERING the Leather.