Approaches to aggression in stocking a 120

[trilinearmipmap]

Planning the stocking of a 120g reef, it will be my first SW tank. I plan to understock because it is my personal philosophy.

I like the look of Maroon Clownfish but they are said to be aggressive, False Percula clowns are tamer but don't appeal to me as much. So which plan makes more sense?

Plan A: put in several different types of scrappy aggressive fish that can take care of themselves, eg pair of Maroon Clowns, Orchid Dottyback, perhaps a Tang.

Plan B: put in more peaceful types of fish that won't bother each other, eg. False Percula Clowns, Royal Gramma, other more peaceful fish.

Plan A appeals to me more if it will work out, please advise me on this.

[EmilyB]

Maroons with a host are no where NEAR their reputation, when compared to Tomatoes....or WC Clarkiis, or Black "Percs".....

IME anyway....

[DOO-E]

Okay it all depend if you want an active flashy tank with a high activity level, i would go with more aggressive species but if you like a colourful tank that all the fish seem to get along and moderate activity i would go with the Calmer more doctile fish. The only thing is with the more aggressive fish more precaution has to be taken when adding new species.

[AJ_77]

My false Percula female bites me every time, anemone or not (think she's WC). I think you would do fine with Plan A, as those species seem to have been kept together many times. What kind of Tang?
You'll find just as many stories of your Plan B fish getting into problems together, I think...

One thing, if it's a new tank and you want a host anemone for your Maroons (I think the gold stripe are particularly stunning), then that's 6 months to a year away until your tank is a good and stable... But you know that already.

[BCOrchidGuy]

I've avoided maroons simply because of the aggression factor I've read about. I've kept tomatos with out any problems, cinnamons as well. False percs have taken chunks out of my hand while cleaning the glass and moving rock so who knows. I think the Maroons are one of the prettiest clown available, and the gold stripe is outstanding.

Doug

[Nemain]

My maroons arent agressive in the least, of course I added them last to a well established tank.

[trilinearmipmap]

OK so if I get a Yellow or Hippo Tang first would that not make sense as it may eat algae which may initially be a problem. Two months later an Orchid Dottiback. Two months later one other fish, then two months later a pair of Maroon Clowns, does that sound reasonable?

[EmilyB]

Never plan for things to go as planned....

[DOO-E]

Okay i would first put in the maoons clowns and place a divider or a safe haven fior the smaller maroon in the tank until the two pair off. Thenwhen they are paired put in an anenome. The clowns will reside to the anenome and no go to far. Then put in the dottyback then the tang. Or if you are buying a pair of maroons i would do it in the same way exept you dont have to wait for the two to pair off. The thing is tangs are really aggressive so you should put them in last.

[AJ_77]

Originally Posted by trilinearmipmap

OK so if I get a Yellow or Hippo Tang first would that not make sense as it may eat algae which may initially be a problem. Two months later an Orchid Dottiback. Two months later one other fish, then two months later a pair of Maroon Clowns, does that sound reasonable?

This sounds like the model of restraint, and you should be applauded. (no, I'm not being a smart-@ss)...

By the time you get to your Maroon pair (I'm assuming you plan to get a mated pair and avoid the major hassle and poor odds of trying to get a couple to pair up on your own), you should be in good shape to judge the shape and progress of your system. Then an anemone choice will be much easier. Good plan, good luck.

Oh, and: what EmilyB said...