Fish suggestions

[Aquarist Guru]

Ok so I've managed to keep my Sebae alive and hopefully happy (time will tell).

I'm also getting pretty confident that I now have what I need to keep water at a pretty perfect state. (as far as RO/DI filter, PC Lights, and enough knowledge to keep a weekly vigil on water changes and so on).

What I'm looking for is some suggestions to add some variety to my tank, my plans are to get a fish or two to add to my Sebae and his happy housemate Nemo (Percula Clown that the kids named).

I'm also adding some more base rock over time to make a nice base to my future reef frags that I'll add once I feel I wont kill it with any mistakes.

So keep in mind it may someday be friends with a variety of corals and a sebae and clownfish are already present.

The tank is 80 gallons, with 2 inches of LS and about 100lbs so far of nice base rock thats already got several nice caves and homes for the fish.

My goal would be to get fish that are mostly reef friendly, I don't mind a tiny bit of coral nibbling or anything like that but I'd hate to feed any pets to eachother.

So far the things I'm looking at are something that sifts sand to keep my sand looking good.

Maybe one of the more colorful tang species.

I'd really like a dwarf fuzzy lionfish but I'd have to wait until all the fish I buy are a few inches before I bought it.

I've even looked into a few cow fish or puffers and one or two are said to be good tempered and wont eat any fish over 2 or so inches so they wont eat a larger percula, but I've run into a few different versions on if they are reef friendly or not.

I pretty much plan to get some SPS frags from people over time as I gain confidence that I wont kill them, and it would be nice to include a variety of colorful fish that live happily among them.

(Note I don't want anything that will grow over 8 inches if possible until I build my next bigger tank).

[Jacob D]

Maybe one of the more colorful tang species.

I'd really like a dwarf fuzzy lionfish but I'd have to wait until all the fish I buy are a few inches before I bought it.

I've even looked into a few cow fish or puffers and one or two are said to be good tempered and wont eat any fish over 2 or so inches so they wont eat a larger percula, but I've run into a few different versions on if they are reef friendly or not.


Those might not be the best candidates, definitely do your research. The Tang will be happier in a larger tank and if stressed can easily develop ich (the same is true of any fish but Tangs develop this illness more easily). Lions will eat whatever they can. Puffers are generally not reef safe, and cowfish are extremely toxic when agitated or die (enough so to kill your entire tank). Sorry to be a downer, keep in mind though there are always exceptions to the 'rules', so just be well informed.

On the positive side any sand sifting gobies should do very well and you can pair them up too which is neat.

Reef safe wrasses are also very colorful, always swimming, and make great additions. Live aquaria can give you some ideas on these, we will also be having a guest speaker later in the year that will focus on these fish.

Dwarf angels are also very cool, but can be hit or miss as far as coral nibbling.

If you can make the bay area trip this Sat. you should! It will be a great chance to see a large variety of fish and pick up one or two.

[Bdimas]

I agree with a cool wrasse. They seem to have alot of personality also.

[Jesus]

Just watch out, they do jump. I have lost expensive wrasses that way.

jesus

[plankton]

"I pretty much plan to get some SPS frags from people over time as I gain confidence that I wont kill them, and it would be nice to include a variety of colorful fish that live happily among them."

Good plan, just go slow and remember it is easier to put reef fish into a reef tank than to get them out! Reefcentral and WetWebMedia are excellent places to research other aquarist experiences with both corals and fish.

I second Mothra's recommendations and warnings regarding those particular fish you were looking at; since, they tend to be more appropriate for a fish-only and/or species tank than a mixed reef. All depends on what you want to setup.

But, you are going about it the right way: slowly and doing your research.

Scott

[Aquarist Guru]

I decided it was time to get rid of the extra damsels and buy a few fish so I did, I didn't do it the right way though I thought since I didn't have a lot of rock netting a few damsels during their feeding time would be easy.

Well after clearing out all my rocks (just after putting new fish in too grrrrr), I got 4 damsels out so I have one royal blue and yellow tail one and one zebra left.

I now have a lined goby (pretty cool he dug a den under a big rock and swims all over the place).

I also got a coral beauty who also seems to like to dig under the same rock as the goby or at least swim in every rock tunnel he can find.

However that was last week.

Today while doing my weekly water change I noticed an orange thing in my rocks, I lifted it up and my percula clown was dead.

last night my wife noticed a white spot on his dorsal fin she said.

I took him out without the kids noticing so I have to go find one to replace it quickly (he was the family favorite).

But other than the fact that I really pulled a novice move with stiring up the tank while adding new fish a week ago can anyone think of what could kill a percula so easily.

He's been happy housing in the sebae for a month now and in the tank for 2 months, and is really one of the most active fish in the tank until well today.

water levels are perfect, temps good at 78. PH 8.0 SG 1.023

I feed him brine with the other fish, and the days I feed my sebae the fish just get what he misses which is mysis shrim (only 3 times a week).

I feed my coral beauty formula 2.

[Bdimas]

The percula could have died form cyanide poisoning. Although im not sure if they are still caught using those methods.
Also Coral beauties are not reef safe.

[Aquarist Guru]

I've been told that angels may nip at corals but most likely wont do any real damage to them. So far he doesn't seem to do anything but swim through the rocks and eat the algae when I feed it formula two.

Although I'm thinking of trying a clip and using some lettuce or other greens, as it would be cool to see him come up to eat on a regular basis.

[Bdimas]

Cool, some dwarf angels can be good citizens and not bother any corals. I would try and keep him well fed so that it dose'nt feel like having brunch on your corals though.

[plankton]

Just what Bryan says and don't forget to QT those fish for a good 30 days just in case they harbor any parasites (e.g ick) before putting them into your main tank.

PS The dward angels are so small that they will prolly not do too much damage to your corals (hard or soft). One exception is clams. They can pester a claim soo much that the clams expends all its energy closing, not getting enough sunlight to eat and possibly dies.