What fish to keep in a trio?

[baldwinaquaman]

I'm looking to add a trio of some type f fish to my 380 FOWLR, any ideas?

[sedor]

Anthias are by far the mot beautiful IMO. In a 380 you could do an even larger group like 12 and they will school together. Great way to add a lot of interest to the tank.

[baldwinaquaman]

RReally not looking toward elongate type fishes because I have a 7" bird wrasse right now, and some other semi-aggressive fish, also the reason i was looking toward three 3 larger fish, but it is a good suggestion, thanks

[Carant]

baldwinaquaman,

What about a trio of convict tangs (Acathurus triostegus) - Recty had a trio of these ... and if smaller will definitely school together.

You could go with a trio of Monos (Monodactylus argenteus) - definitely not elongated. These definitely school even as they get larger.

Cheers,
Bruce

[baldwinaquaman]

Bruce great choice on the monos, I have kept these before, but they outgrew my 150, so I might go this route, but was particulary considering flame angels or regal angels, maybe even yellow tangs, something along that line. What about heniochus? Any other recommendatons?

[flameangel88]

Three Flame angels would definitely great. :) Or you can go trio of Regal, Blueline or Bandit angels which would be awesome.

[Carant]

baldwinaquaman,

If you are considering angels ... flames as mentioned would be great.

Another beautiful and relatively inexpensive angel is the Cherub (Centropyge argi). Once they mature ... they will spawn nightly for you.

Let us know what you choose.

Cheers,
Bruce

[baldwinaquaman]

do the flames, regal, cherubs ever act aggressively to eachother? Also is this something you have to purchase as a "trio", or can you just buy three at the same time and enter them to the tank at the same time?

[flameangel88]

They can be aggressive toward each other but given the size of your tank I don't see any problem as long as you have rocks in there for shelter. I started out with 6 FAs back in 2007 and they were great till losing 3 to velvet last year. You can always add more later but much easier to do it at the same time. Get one larger and two smaller ones then sit back and enjoy.

Here's a pic from 3 months ago. One male and two females.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i287/reeftankpix/DSC_4280.jpg

[baldwinaquaman]

Really that's interesting, I'm happy to hear you can add more later (although not as good as at once) in case you lose some.are regals the same way, what is your current fishlist? Caan you keep regals and flames together?

[flameangel88]

I don't have the luck of keeping three Regals alive at the same time but have one right now with the three FAs with no issues. I've added Meredithi and Bluelines at various times without any major problem. You'll see nip and chase in the beginning but that will eventually subside.

Trio: FA, Bodianus sepiacaudus
Pairs: Blueline, Meredithi, Watanabe (1m & 1f), Bellus (2f)
the rest are mostly angels.

[baldwinaquaman]

I might go with the flames, it will probably be flames or yellow tangs. Do the flames stay close to eachother typically or spread out?

[baldwinaquaman]

Was just looking at liveaquaria, and got the idea that i want to add two or three triggers of the same type to the tank such as pinktail or bluethroat, anyone have any thoughts or seen this done.

[flameangel88]

The FA trio and the Watanabe pair are on their own till they spawn where they go up toward the top near the strong flow area and do their 'dance and release'.

[anbosu]

Was just looking at liveaquaria, and got the idea that i want to add two or three triggers of the same type to the tank such as pinktail or bluethroat, anyone have any thoughts or seen this done.

You could definitely get a pair of bluethroats. I have never heard of triggers being kept in a trio, though.

[baldwinaquaman]

At about inktails? I have seen them in pairs on video before, the tail coloration is not as bright in one or the other.