I need some swimmers

[splix]

I dont have a whole lot of fish yet. Potters angel, gold head goby, and the usually clown pair. Plans are for a flame angel, and 1-2 large angels, 1-2 triggers. But thats another topic.

I like blue reef chromis and some anthias. 155 DT, 175 total system. How many blue reef chromis's could I get away with since they're good in schools. Also would they be ok with a couple of Athinas?
Yes I know not to go out and add 20 fish :P Just curious about numbers and compatibility in my mixed reef.

[Bogue Chitto]

You would probably do better with another fish instead of the chromis, that is if you are talking about the greenish blue ones. I had 20 after 2 or 3 additions and everyday 1 or 2 would disappear. I now have 1. They just don't do well for me. But you may be talking about another kind and have success with them.

[splix]

disappear? As in being eaten or how do chromis just disappear?
I'm not talking about green chromis, blue reef ones. Same fish basically.

[jraker]

chromis will eventually whittle themselves down to 1. just get one chromis. blue reef chromis are really cool, but i think green chromis are cooler. i guarantee you, fish DO NOT school in captivity. they will only school or shoal if there is a predator. if there is not a predator, they will kill each other. there can only be one.

i like fathead sunburst anthias, or lyretail anthias. anthias do have to be fed 2-3 times per day, though.

[splix]

Interesting. I honestly had no idea. This is why I ask :)
Even Live Aquaria says they should be in a group.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+1634+113&pcatid=113

[alprazo]

I agree one the chromis point. They tend to rapidly die off and you are often left with one or two. Plus there is a high risk of introducing uremona when adding chromis. They will stay closer together than a bunch of damsels, but they will not school, like they do in the wild.

[Reef Frog]

Interesting. I honestly had no idea. This is why I ask :)
Even Live Aquaria says they should be in a group.

[url]http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/

I have seen a few mistakes in the fish descriptions on LA/DD. It's always a good idea to get information from a few sources IMO.

[mfinn]

For some reason I was able to keep my same 6 chromis for almost 8 years.
They were even laying eggs on a fairly regular basis.
But one thing I will say is the dominant male got pretty aggressive towards other fish in the tank.

If you are thinking maybe anthias, check out the lyretail's.
Liveaquaria usually has a pretty good price on them and every once in a while they have them on sale.

[FortyFour]

Stay away from the chromis and damsels in my opinion. Consider a wrasse.

[Bogue Chitto]

Well after all, they are always trying to make a sale.

[jraker]

you can go with a pyramid butterfly, or an angelfish of the genus Genicanthus.