Centerpiece fish?

I have a 56 gallon tank, 30x18 footprint, 24 tall. I am coming back to the hobby after some hiatus. Anyway, I want to start planning this one the way I told myself I would when I got out last time. So I want to pick my "centerpiece" fish and then work with whats compatible to put around it, then introduce things one by one in a good order and at a pace compatible with the ecosystem as it develops over the first year or so.

I know I want a CUC, and I want some inverts but not going to be a reef, so not reef safe but CUC safe and shrimp safe is important.

I have my list of showcase fish down to
Yellow tang
Purple tang
Lavender tang
Blue eye tang
Or perhaps a butterfly.

I also plan on a dwarf angel and a pair of clowns. I doubt there is much more I can add and keep the tank "low maintenance" but any comments and suggestions would be awesome!

 

I hate to rain on your parade but none of those gosh will fit in a 56 gallon tank. I would look into a dwarf angel.

 

56 gallons is a bit small for a tang. They will probably be super stressed and ich city galore..... How about a nice flasher wrasse? Very Cool fish!

 

(Oh yes, and wrasse jump so you would need a lid)

 

As stated unfortunately your tank is too small for any Tangs but there are alot of pretty fish in the sea.
Heres a great place to look. It has min. tank sizes,feeding and general info on alot of SW fish and invertebrates.
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=15

 

Too small for any tang, I agree with chelsea and look into dwarf angelfish.

 

Friend at the LFS said I could buy a baby big angel, then trade it in right as it turns into adult colors... I think I'm going to go that route. Most are prettier as babies

 

I think if you go that route you will find this hobby frustrating and ultimately un-fulfilling. One of the great joys in aquarium keeping is to be able to keep a fish for many years. Keeping a fish healthy, fat and happy is really a difficult task. I think you will be happier and find aquarium keeping a more enjoyable hobby with a fish that is sustainable for a long period of time.

Have you thought about a school of fish? Sometimes that is more visually appealing than one large fish in an aquarium. And it is kind of rare, as in not a lot of people do it. For instance, think about 5 of these: Saltwater Aquarium Fish for Marine Aquariums: Acares Midget Reef Chromis, Chromis acares along with a dwarf angel and the pair of clowns you mentioned. Makes the tank look busy and full while still providing a safe sustainable environment for the fish.

 

And unfortunately your friend at the LFS gave you bad advise. Just catching the fish will be really tiring and annoying.

 

I'll keep thinking, maybe a bicolor angel, a few bangii cardinals, a pair of clowns, and a nice assortment of inverts (lots of shrimp).