Salt water Fish?

Question

YES I HAVE POSTED THIS DOZENS OF TIMES BUT....
i have had conflicting info, out of ten 4 say yes 4 say no and 2 say check with this so i ask again
Will these fish get along and be a good mix in a 200l(55g) tank
2 clown fish (1inch)
1 regal blue tang(3inch)
1 Flame Angelfish
3 green chromis
1 yellow tang
1 royal gramma
3 humbug damselfish and a clean up crew with a couple snails, shrimp and hermits

Thx goergi first answer in 2 hours

Sorry about the tank size changing i WAS getting a 60G tank frre from a friend but now i am bying a 55 G tank

Answer 1

As mentioned in my answer yesterday:
"You're looking at the present size of the fish, not their adult sizes which is what you need to consider. The tangs do not stay 3" - the yellow will get around 7", the regal will get about 1 foot, and since they're both tangs, they may not get along. Both types are active fish that need lots of swimming room.

Dwarf angels may get up to 6" as adults (depending on which species), and the clowns will get up to 2.5 to 6 inches depending on the species. Because saltwater fish are more territorial and aggressive than freshwater species, you can't keep nearly the same number in the same amount of space.

With the number of fish you have, you're still looking at an overcrowed tank once the fish grow. I know that's not something you want to hear, but you would do better to cut at least one of the tangs (personally, I'd would keep the yellow because it's smaller) and the damsels (because of aggression and reducing the total number of fish)."


At the time of that answer, a larger tank size than a 55 was given. If what you have is a 55, I would not attempt either of the tangs, and the damsels will be too aggressive with the clowns and chromis as perceived "rivals". There's simply not enough "floor space" for all them them to have an adequate territory for themselves. The chromis are peaceful, schooling fish, so I wouldn't suggest eliminating them, the clowns will be somewhat territorial, but especially so if they lay eggs in your tank.

All of the 55 gallons won't (or at least shouldn't) be water - you'll need some rock for hiding places where the fish can retreat if they're being bullied. And you won't be able to add all the fish at one time because of added bioload - if you attempt to add to many and your biological filter can't handle the added wastes, you're going to be subjecting the fish to death by ammonia or nitrite poisoning. And any fish added after the first few territorial fish establish their territories are going to be bullied by the previous fish, possibly to the point where they stop eating and die. And altogether, what you're planning is far too many fish for a 55 gallon!

I know you're getting a lot of confilicting info on this, but I can't say how many people answering this question have even kept a saltwater tank (or these species) or understand behavior of saltwater fish, or if they're just posting an answer to get the two points! You can't expect saltwater fish to behave like freshwater community fish, because they won't - and you have to plan for this territoriality/aggression when you stock.

What I would recommend that you do at this point is to get a good book on saltwater aquaria (I would suggest The New Marine Aquarium by Michael Paletta, The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Robert Fenner, or Saltwater Aquariums for Dummies by Gregory Skomal) and read about species compatibility and stacking marine tanks. Maybe you can find a copy of one of these at a local library. Another option is to post your question on a moderated forum, where the persons answering are professionals, rather than hobbyists, as are most of the users here. One forum that I'd highly recommend to you is this one: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ At any rate, you'll get another point of view you can use to compare with the answers you're getting here.

Answer 2

Putting the fish all in a 55gal tank is goin to be a squeeze as some of the fish are terrotorial (the royal gramma and the angels)
The blue tang at full size will need a 70 gallon tank at least. But is a peacefulfish and should have no problem with the rest of thier tank mates.
You also need to take caution with the damselfish and the green chromis, as they may fight. The humbug are known as aggressive but beautiful fish.
Depending on what size tang you get they need a large tank, 100 gallons or more. And are generally aggressive to other tangs, reccomended that you only keep one tang per tank!
The flame angelfish should be introduced last to your tank, as they wont be aggressive to the peaceful, less aggressive fish.
To be fair you could try it but they are expensive fish so why risk it? i would definrtly suggest you pick just the one tang. The snails wont really affect any of your fish.
If i was you i would have the clownfish, the angelfish, the chromis, gramma, and maybe one small tang.
So i would say no to what your suggesting, but your choice.
Hope this helps. Email me if you have any problems.
A x

Answer 3

I would tend to agree that if you want comfortable fish, you will need a LARGE tank for this combination...and good filtration system as this is a fairly large bio-load for a 55 as well. The territorial requirements can be eased somewhat with proper refuge...rocks, coral, etc. but 55 gallons is not adequate, nor desireable, for this amount of fish. The tangs and the gramma are skittish by nature, and don't prosper in cramped situations. And don't forget the anemone fish need anemones! Otherwise they will be miserable.
As for the damsels, they are the most quarrelsome of the list, and damsels in general will tend to ceaselessly harass the others. I, too, will never own another damsel.

Answer 4

All fish have different personalities, believe it or not. Royal grammas are hit or miss when it comes to being aggressive. You might get a nice one, you might get a mean one.

Damsels, generally speaking, can be pretty aggressive. I wouldn't put them with the more passive fish.

A 55-gallon tank is too small for any type of tang. You could get away with a baby yellow tang in a tank that small, but it wouldn't be happy, and it would outgrow the tank quickly. You're much better off avoiding any and all tangs unless you have a 125-gallon, which is 6 feet long as opposed to 4.

Have you considered any gobies? They're small, friendly, active, and colorful fish. Go to www.liveaquaria.com and take a look. There are many awesome fish besides the ones you have listed.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. =)

Answer 5

it depends on the amount of money you want to spend. Salt water fish in general are expensive and it costs even more to get the big enough tank, pump, etc. Fresh water fish are cheaper and simpler to take care of. With salt water fish, you have to clean the tank every so often.

Answer 6

Your fish will do fine together. Remember the damsels (green chromis humburg and clowns) are all just that damsels. All territorial, but I do not see a problem in a 55. They will all find their space. your tangs can get quite large, however not at anytime soon. Damsels will eat anything however they prefer the meaty foods where as your tanks will eat the veggies so the food fights won't be about that.

If you are running a protein skimmer your tank will be fine with these fish. Remember more fish can live in less water in a salt tank. I've had salt tanks for more than 30 years including my 300+ reef tank.

Reminder, if your tank is new, forget the clean up crew for now. You won't have enough algaes and wastes for them and they will starve unless you target feed them. Wait until you see algae's forming to introduce them. Also, be careful of getting too many hermits. One per tank.

Feel free to email me if need be Good luck

Answer 7

In my opinion, if you are going to have trouble, it will be from the damsels, then the pygmy angel.

I would personally not have the damsels. They are aggressive feeders and can actually cause some of your slower feeding fish (tangs are grazers) to not get enough food. I have especially seen damsels harry a tang to death. They don't touch it directly, but they never let it rest.

Answer 8

yes! they will fit. but I'm not sure if they will cooperate with each other. they probably will if they all are small. you have to get many different foods for them. and one might eat someone else's. that's my answer.

Answer 9

ask the one who sold those 2 u.

Answer 10

yes they will get along just find, and the will go grreat together, nice mixture =)