55 Gallon Stocking Advice

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Bearsfan023

New Member
Hello everyone!

This is my first official post on this site so I apologize in advance if this is in the wrong spot. I have been following this forum for months but finally decided to get in on the action and make a splash. I recently inherited a 55 gallon tank (6 months ago) and have almost reached the point where it is fully stocked (or maybe it is fully stocked and I just do not know it, that is what brings me here today). The tank has been set up for over 7 years, it was transferred to my house and set up same day so it is pretty well established. I have a 25 gallon refugium as well as a 20 gallon (?) sump, around 45# of live rock, 3" of live sand and a few miscellaneous corals. At this point I was wondering if my tank is fully stocked or if I could add another fish or two. I am currently looking to add one more fish but cannot decide what I want to add, or if it would make sense to add another fish at this time. I currently have the following stock:

1x ocellaris clown
1x royal gramma
1x cardinal pajamafish
1x lawnmower blenny
1x hawkfish
1x purple firefish
1x pin cushion urchin
2x emerald crabs

Now that I look at the full list I realize there is more in there than I had thought. However, that being said, I am looking for recommendations on another fish that is coral safe and fairly docile that will not cause any issues in the tank. I will try to provide some pics of my tank set up later today but basically I have a rocky area with many caves and an area that is mostly open sand. Please let me know your thoughts! And I appreciate any additional tips as I am very new to the hobby as a whole. Thanks in advance!
 
Kristin1234

Kristin1234

Active Member
I would say you are pretty well stocked, but most of those fish are pretty small.

Did you know what fish you wanted? It would depend on their size and bioload.
 
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Bearsfan023

New Member
I have been considering an Angel (either a flame angel or coral beauty) but am worried that the tank is too small, and I have also read stories that they can be very hit or miss with coral so I think I will be staying away from those. The other thing I considered was a wrasse but I believe with the firefish that may also not be the wisest decision. I was at my LFS the other day and they recommended a Kole Tang but from everything I have read online, a 55 is just too small to give it a great life (although this seems to be debated quite a bit). So to answer your original question, I have some ideas but at this point I do not really know that I have too many more options. I was thinking about getting another cardinalfish or 2 to create a school . Ideally I would prefer a larger sized fish as a "center piece" type fish but I also do not want to risk any of my current occupants just so I can have a flashier fish in there.
 
lmforbis

lmforbis

Well-Known Member
I agree you are pretty well stocked at least with fish. They are very good fish for a 55 gallon too. We don't see that often. Yep a 55 is too small for any tang. You can get away with maybe a pygmy angle or at flame back angel. Both are smaller than most dwarf angels. I think you would still have the basic issue of them being hit or miss with coral. i have a flame angel that is well behaved so far. Flasher or fairy wrasses would be fine with your fire fish. I have both a fire fish and blue grudgeons that are similar to fire fish. My flasher wrasse is fine with both of them.
Cardinal fish only hang out together when they are young. If you have a mated pair they will be fine. Another thing that is interesting to have is a shrimp goby and pistol shrimp pair.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
I would suggest two Clownfish (same species) instead of the Firefish.

Or, wait until the Firefish kills itself and then replace it with a Clownfish.
 
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Bearsfan023

New Member
I appreciate all of the replies so far! I may continue looking into a wrasse and adding one in a month or so. I also like the idea of adding another shrimp or 2 because my CUC is lacking a bit at this time. As for the clown fish, would I be able to add a second one now or would I be better off waiting and adding a mated pair down the road?
 
Kristin1234

Kristin1234

Active Member
I absolutely love fire fish. My purple jumped from my display into my overflow. And then back into my display when I was chasing him with a net.

One of my favorite fish.
 
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