Help me stock my 300 gal. FOWLR

[orgetorix]

OK. I'm converting my FW planted tank to a FOWLR and am still in the research stages. I am at the point of deciding on my stock. The tank is a 300 gallon 8' wide x 2' deep x 2.5' tall. I am now pretty sure that I won't ever move into coral keeping.

I know I would like a few large fish and maybe a small school of some smaller fish, but I have only the most vague ideas of aggression and compatibility. Here, I will list a stocking idea ordered in their importance to me. Of course, if it turns out that #1 on my list is too hard to care for or too much of a pain compatibility-wise, it can be adjusted as well. Please give me some ideas and possibly some things I have yet to consider.

Here's the list with some ideas.
1. Puffer (porcupine or spiny box)
2. Trigger (a relatively small, peaceful one)
3. Tang (Naso?)
4. Large Angel (whatever is easiest/prettiest)
5. Schooling Fish (maybe some bangii cardinals)
6. Dwarf Angel (??)
7. Lion (volitan)

Thanks in advance for everyone's input/advice.

[mattiej]

Have you thought about doing an Atlantic tropical theme tank? You can easily find most of the types of fish listed from the Atlantic and their costs might be a little less intimidating. The porcupine puffer is one great fish for personallity and longevity. I have one in the shark pool and it has been there since the pool was first filled. The Gray Trigger may not have much color but does have style. If you have troublem finding triggers, there is always the filefish. These guys look like many of the triggers but aren't as aggressive. The Scrawled File is one of my favorites as is the Orange. Unfortunately there are only two types of surgeonfish in the area and they are the Atlantic Blue Tang (bright yellow as juvie, gray-blue as adult) and the doctorfish. The most beautiful angelfish, arguably, is the Queen Angel. These guys aren't as difficult as you might think as long as you privide them with a varied diet including marine sponge (Ocean Nutrition brands). As to schooling fish one I find particularly unique is the Porkfish. Yellow and white stripes and some cool schooling behavior make them fun to have.

This is just a suggestion. Of course there are so many more options from the Indo-Pacific. One word of caution, with large numbers of aggressive feeding fish make sure that any lions you have also get enough food. These guys are pouncers and can sometimes be out-competed by speedier fish.

[bobbyp]

trigger might attack lion

[ozadars]

You can go with the first four; the trigger, the angel, the puffer and the tang but rest is not very compatible with these fish and each other.
Bangaii cardinals are not schooling fish. They school when juvenile but when they are adults, they choose their mates and live with them.
Apagon cardinals are schooling fish but very peaceful and not suitable with those aggressive fish.
Most schooling fish suitable for 300gal tank are small fish so not a good mix with triggers, puffers and angels (however there are planktivore angels and triggers, they are not as aggressive)

[capt. insano]

get a cool wrasse in there, like a Red Coris. Always on the move! or maybe a Harlequin tusk

http://store6.yimg.com/I/marinedepotlive_1786_15369722


My vote is for a Black Hawaiin (black Durgeon) Trigger. Very mild mannered, get larger, and have a cool coloration

http://www.fishbase.org/images/Menig_u9.jpg

I think the bangaii's would probably become a snack for someone in this type of tank

Porcupines are alright, but I prefer a cool Arothron puffer, like a stars and stripes, yellow belly, Meleagris, etc

http://store6.yimg.com/I/marinedepotlive_1798_12956875

If you want a pretty hardy angel, my vote goes for a Passer angel

http://store6.yimg.com/I/marinedepotlive_1791_573156

[finntyla]

aaaaaah the black trigger.
What a superb fish