Smallish, active fish?

[forddna]

I'm thinking of a Royal Gramma, really, but open to other suggestions. Also, please let me know if the Gramma is not a good choice.

I'm looking for a smallish fish that is brave enough to be out in the open, swimming around, despite my largish tangs. IOW, not a scaredy-cat fish. :)

For small fish, I currently have a pair of Perculas and a Yellow Tail Damsel. I was hoping for something shaped differently than these fish.

No wrasses, either, because I am not sure of my future wrasse plans and don't want to get something that may not mix later on.

Thanks!

[ricde]

I don't currently have one, but I love the Midas blenny.

[laud]

What about peaceful Anthias with a few females and a male?

[poknsnok]

i think a gramma is a great choice. I have one thats itty bitty and he is out and about in my 240 gallon

[fish4lyfe]

Firefishs are peaceful beautiful fish and just hang out in the water collumn all day.

[Newreeflady]

I like the grammas, but I thought they get aggressive, no?? Of course, even if so, in a 200+ gallon tank it wouldn't really matter I don't suppose:)

-A

[Chihuahua6]

I love Royal Grammas. Mine is great in my 47 gal column. He's in there with a Starry Blenny and a Yellow Tail Damsel. I added the tiny Damsel after the Gramma lived in the tank for a year without a problem.

The Gramma is not mean at all but he can hold his own. He was about an inch when I got him and two years later he's 2.5"+.

He's out and about all the time and swims to the glass and stares back at me when I peer into the tank. I think every reef tank should have one : )

[forddna]

Sounds like it'll be the Gramma. Thanks!

[h20 freak1]

Anthias schools are always nice.Or a chromis school. Firefish pair?Bigger dartfish? Grammas are nice but not very active in the sense you are saying, they like to explore the rockwork.

[forddna]

I guess "active" isn't the word I wanted to use. I just mean visible, not a recluse. :)

My tank isn't covered, and the entire length of the back of my canopy is open, so I don't think firefish is a good idea.

I also already have Anthias.

[alprazo]

I think that the cardinal fish are always visible and form groups.

[snorvich]

+1 with that ^ Firefish pairs will become one unless they are mated.

[forddna]

How many Banggai's would be a good number? Will they pair off and separate from the group??

[h20 freak1]

Pair that will kill the rest off. Keep in mind they are endangered as well.

[Reeftanks6]

You could go with
Anthias
Blenny's
Wrasses
Grammas
Cardinals

Some specific ones would be

Sixline wrasse ( Love them very active but jumpers)
Leopard Wrasse ( Dont have one but have seen one in videos and look awesome)
Royal Gramma ( which you were thinking they are great use to have one in my old tank)
Cardinals ( I think they are very cool and it seems when i see them they are never hiding)

[Sk8r]

Bluegreen chromis is never still.

[rssjsb]

How about a group of chalk bass?

[Chibils]

Chalk bass are a great choice. If they don't necessarily have to be active per se (more of visible), assessors are stunning. They hang under rockwork in all kinds of funky positions.

[forddna]

What's an assessor?

[rssjsb]

http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden/ItemDisplay.cfm?c=2733+3&ddid=44926

I've never had one, but I've read descriptions of them as the perfect reef fish.

There's also a blue morph.

[basser1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13087874#post13087874 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rssjsb
http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden/ItemDisplay.cfm?c=2733+3&ddid=44926

I've never had one, but I've read descriptions of them as the perfect reef fish.

There's also a blue morph.


I've got one of these and it's a great fish! Nice bright yellow and mine swims out in the open! Very peaceful!

[forddna]

Oh, okay! Thanks for the link!! I actually looked at that fish, but I didn't know anything about them.

Can I have more than one in a tank? Anyone know their max size? Any other precautions??

[basser1]

Yes you can have more than one in a large tank. I only have a 29 gallon Biocube, so I'm limited to just the one.

[black_majik]

Neon dottyback has to be the most colorful/active fish.

[Chibils]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13089456#post13089456 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by forddna
Oh, okay! Thanks for the link!! I actually looked at that fish, but I didn't know anything about them.

Can I have more than one in a tank? Anyone know their max size? Any other precautions?? I'd imagine multiples would be easy, especially in a tank that large. They stay relatively small, maybe 1.5-2".

[snorvich]

Yes you can have multiples and you can mix the colors.

[forddna]

Awesome. Thanks!

[A sea K]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13078829#post13078829 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by forddna
I'm thinking of a Royal Gramma, really, but open to other suggestions. Also, please let me know if the Gramma is not a good choice.

I'm looking for a smallish fish that is brave enough to be out in the open, swimming around, despite my largish tangs. IOW, not a scaredy-cat fish. :)



Thanks!


The Assessors are one of my favorites but I don't think you'll see much of them with your "largish tangs".

These are definately "scaredy-cat fish. I have 2 Yellows and 1 Blue in a 65 gal peacefull tank, I added a small McCoskers wrasse to the system and never saw the Assessors again until I removed the Wrasse.

They are not very aggressive feeders either and will easily be outcompeted for food.

I know most say stay away from Damsel's but I put 5 Azures in my 210 back in Feb. Stay small, always out in the open, and colorfull. They only scrap amongst themselves and never have bothered anyone else in the tank.

[forddna]

I have a yellow tail damsel, and I love him, and would consider adding more, but I'd like a contrasting colored fish. :)

[smoothdog]

I vote for the neon dottyback too! Mine is constantly moving in and out of the rockwork. He'd be out in the open more but the flame angel is constantly chasing him.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3265/2626295845_493419870e_b.jpg

[alprazo]

If you plan to add a wrasse down the road the pseudochromis and royal grammas may object. I second that the assessors will live in the rock work unless all is very calm. Anthias get large and can become aggressive.

Personally I like the chromis - They swim in the upper half of the tank, group and are always active. Another option in addition to the above would be a cherubfish - fantastic little guys always cruising the rockwork. Pairing is difficult IMO.