Caribbean Reef Tank - fish suggestions??

[jjvernon]

I have decided to revamp my reef tank to all Caribbean species. (Fish first; coral will be more difficult.) Right now I only have two yellow jawfish. I want a very peaceful tank, where the jaw fish will not be overly shy. Any suggestions on tank mates that hail from the Caribbean? I'd like a red-spotted hawk, but am worried about aggression. Can I keep a royal gramma and a black capped basselet together? Can you get purple reef chromis?

All thoughts are appreciated.

[rachenbrazil]

in large tank with several rockwork you can keep gramas together . If have same rockwork pinus hawkfish will not bother the jawfishes ...
But you must understand with habitat you want to replicate , jawfish , sand bed reef , royal grama , coral reef rocks , black cap , deeper water coral rocks (really in edge of deep blue) , purple chromis (if C. insolata) deep water coral rock... so combine them together may not be the habitat you wish ... so check it carefully but as I said in large tank (180 ...200 ... bigger) you can keep them all together ...

[Beaun]

These are the fish that are easier to find in the trade.
Chalk bass, Pygmy Cherub Angel (C. argi), red tail triggerfish, swissguard basslet, flame cardinal, neon goby, there are several belnnies, sergeant major damsel, and the grammas you talked about.

If its a big tank then atlantic blue tang, french angel, queen angel (if you want to deal with the aggression).
How big of a tank is this?

[namxas]

the reef scorpionfish (Scorpaenodes carbbaeus) is a small, peaceful scorpionfish that would be an alternative to the hawkfish if you're worried about agression. they appreciate caves and overhangs, as you'll rarely see it rightside up except at feeding time.

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/cute2700.jpg

the fish is a really cool peach color now:

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/carb500.jpg

[TampaReefer79]

the reef scorpionfish (Scorpaenodes carbbaeus) is a small, peaceful scorpionfish that would be an alternative to the hawkfish if you're worried about agression. they appreciate caves and overhangs, as you'll rarely see it rightside up except at feeding time.

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/cute2700.jpg

the fish is a really cool peach color now:

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/carb500.jpg

Is he venemous like his big cousin?

[namxas]

Is he venemous like his big cousin?

yes...it is indeed a true scorpionfish. however, i can't imagine getting popped by this species unless you put your hand directly on top of it. our specimen retreats into the rockwork during tank chores, unlike many of our other scorps, which either simply sit there, or want to be fed and follow me around.

[michael_cb_125]

My dream tank is a system that replicates the deep water bank reef and rubble zones of the Caribbean.

L. carmabi (pair)
L. mowbrayi (pair)
L. klayi (pair)
G. hispanus
P. aya
P. guyanensis

This is a dream list for me and one that I pan on obtaining in the near future. ;)

~Michael

[jjvernon]

Thanks for all the replies. My system is about 200 gallons, but only 80-ish in the display tank. I love the little scorpion fish. Are they very available? Do they get along with others?

[Elysia]

My dream tank is a system that replicates the deep water bank reef and rubble zones of the Caribbean.

L. carmabi (pair)
L. mowbrayi (pair)
L. klayi (pair)
G. hispanus
P. aya
P. guyanensis

This is a dream list for me and one that I pan on obtaining in the near future. ;)

~Michael

Just make sure that you have a way to photograph this tank & its inhabitants... I'd love to see some of those deepwater Carb. grammas.

[michael_cb_125]

;)

~Michael