Caribbean Biotype Fish Suggestions?

[jshorter]

Hi everyone!

I am in the early stages of starting to set up my new tank. This one is going to be a Caribbean reef biotype.

The tank will be a 40 gallon breeder with a 15 gallon refugium/sump. It will have about 45 pounds live rock, 1.75" of Bahamas Oolitic live sand, and eventually Gongorians, Millepora, and other Caribbean natives I can find.

My question to you is, what Caribbean species of fish would you all suggest for this tank?

Thanks for all of your ideas!
Jason

[sean48183]

royal gramma for sure and maybe nassau grouper (just kidding). Maybe try a blue chromis.

[jshorter]

I just got back from a week of snorkeling off of Long Island, Bahamas, and I have tons of underwater photos I am using as reference to recreate the tank. However, I am not too familiar with some of the fish I saw. If I can post some pictures of what I have, maybe someone could help ID them....?

[Hormigaquatica]

Post up!
Royal grammas are pretty common in Bahamian waters, so that might not be a bad choice. Black Cap Basslets are nice too- a little deeper water. Liopropoma basslets of all kinds are cool too, though a little more pricey.

Sticking with the Bahama theme (dont know why I picked that for you..) you could also look at a Pygmy Angel, a number of gobies (green banded gobies and neons, and all the other Elacatinus gobies come to mind), Molly Miller Blennies, Red Spotted Hawkfish, Flame Cardinal, Spotfin Butterfly. Sedentarius Butterfly, any of the Hamlets, Pearly Jawfish, Chalk Bass, Harlequin Bass... there are plenty of others.

[Big E]

Go to fishbase.org and it will sort the fish endemic to the area. You just have to enter a country or island from the list.

If you click on the fish name you'll get pics & general stats.