Need Help with Fish Selection

Patrick Cox · 04/19/2018, 05:09 AM

I have a 2 year old mixed hard coral reef and my nutrient levels are too low so I am looking into adding a few more fish.

Here are what I believe to be the important details of my tank...

100G
48" L x24" W x20" H
2 MP40s running at about 60% Reef Crest
ATI 8x54 T5 fixture
Good Skimmer in the sump

PH 7.9-8.3
78 degrees
1.025 Salinity

Bare Bottom
~65 lbs of Tampa Bay Live Rock
Mostly SPS with a few LPS and one Clam (see picture)
20-30 small snails for CUC along with 2 small urchins

Current Fish:
-One Spot Fox Face
-Kole Tang
-Clownfish Pair
-Yellow Assessor
-Possum Wrasse

What I am looking for in fish:
-Fairly low maintenance in terms of feeding. (So no Anthias for example)
-Stay away from fish that are likely to nip at my clam
-Fish that will easily integrate with my current fish.

I was thinking about 3-5 Blue Green Chromis but I am worried they won't last. If not, maybe some other small schooling fish? I like the idea of adding several of one more breed, rather than adding several more different fish.

Today I mainly feed Spirulina enriched Brine Shrimp, Nori Sheets and Spectrum Pellets.

Thanks for your suggestions!

oldhead · 04/19/2018, 06:12 AM

Chaulk basslet would be my choice.

RobZilla04 · 04/19/2018, 08:46 AM

The blue green chromis could work. I have three in my 90g. I tried adding three more but they didn't make it. Still the same three for over 1.5 years now.

Beautiful clam BTW.

nereefpat · 04/19/2018, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldhead

Chaulk basslet would be my choice.

Good suggestion. Could probably do a pair/small group. The same could be done with royal gramma.

OrionN · 04/19/2018, 10:46 AM

Mandarin Dragonet pair. You will like themem

Cliving1 · 04/19/2018, 10:48 AM

Pair of long nose or flame hawk? What about a trio of coral beauty or flame angels?

Patrick Cox · 04/19/2018, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cliving1

Pair of long nose or flame hawk? What about a trio of coral beauty or flame angels?

Will the angels nip at LPS or the clam? I didn't think you could add more then one of those. thanks.

natanitelite · 04/19/2018, 07:09 PM

I might consider ~5 banggai to give some life in the upper part of the water column

jambon222 · 04/19/2018, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick Cox

I have a 2 year old mixed hard coral reef and my nutrient levels are too low so I am looking into adding a few more fish.

Here are what I believe to be the important details of my tank...

100G
48" L x24" W x20" H
2 MP40s running at about 60% Reef Crest
ATI 8x54 T5 fixture
Good Skimmer in the sump

PH 7.9-8.3
78 degrees
1.025 Salinity

Bare Bottom
~65 lbs of Tampa Bay Live Rock
Mostly SPS with a few LPS and one Clam (see picture)
20-30 small snails for CUC along with 2 small urchins

Current Fish:
-One Spot Fox Face
-Kole Tang
-Clownfish Pair
-Yellow Assessor
-Possum Wrasse

What I am looking for in fish:
-Fairly low maintenance in terms of feeding. (So no Anthias for example)
-Stay away from fish that are likely to nip at my clam
-Fish that will easily integrate with my current fish.

I was thinking about 3-5 Blue Green Chromis but I am worried they won't last. If not, maybe some other small schooling fish? I like the idea of adding several of one more breed, rather than adding several more different fish.

Today I mainly feed Spirulina enriched Brine Shrimp, Nori Sheets and Spectrum Pellets.

Thanks for your suggestions!

A small school of firefish would look nice... The fancier purple head ones. I like the yellow assessor choise.. I have one and it's a great fish.

Sent from my SM-A520W using Tapatalk

OrionN · 04/20/2018, 04:53 AM

Neither Firefish or Banggai will live long term more than a pair in a tank. Once mature, the dominant pair will chased all the other out of the tank. either tot he carpet or into the over flow. I know that in nature, they exist in what look like group, but not in aquarium.

Patrick Cox · 04/20/2018, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrionN

Mandarin Dragonet pair. You will like themem

Aren't Dragonet finicky eaters? I don't have a fuge so I don't think I have many pods. I need fish that will eat brine/mysis/spectrum pellets. Any other suggestions for 3 or more fish? Are there any nice reef safe wrasses that you can keep in small groups?

What are your thoughts on the Blue Green chromis?

Thanks!

Bent · 04/20/2018, 05:47 AM

Marine betta!

OrionN · 04/20/2018, 06:33 AM

Your tank is about 100 gal with no pod eater other than possible Your wrasse. Well run, it should support a pair of Mandarin. Certainly one Mandarin at least.

OrionN · 04/20/2018, 06:35 AM

If you want Damsels I would get Azur damsels. Much more striking then Chromis which is such a bland fish IMO

OrionN · 04/20/2018, 06:37 AM

If you want three flasher wrasses of different species would be great. Or several Fairy wrasses. Cover is a must for these guys.

OrionN · 04/20/2018, 06:42 AM

Diamond tail flasher

OrionN · 04/20/2018, 08:34 AM

Diamond tail Flasher wrasse

Sail-fin Fairy wrasse

Jesterrace · 04/20/2018, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick Cox

Aren't Dragonet finicky eaters? I don't have a fuge so I don't think I have many pods. I need fish that will eat brine/mysis/spectrum pellets. Any other suggestions for 3 or more fish? Are there any nice reef safe wrasses that you can keep in small groups?

What are your thoughts on the Blue Green chromis?

Thanks!

Yes they are. I would definitely skip one even with a larger tank since you have no idea if you have a pod population that will support them.

Wrasses would be a good idea. Fairy and Flasher Wrasses are generally reef safe with the Peaceful varieties. Flasher Wrasses do tend to be a bit more delicate though. Halichoeres Wrasses will leave Corals and things like Cleaner Shrimp alone but will munch on smaller ornamental shrimp, snails and hermit crabs on occasion. The plus side is that they will eat fireworms, bristleworms and Pyramid snails. They are inexpensive, beautiful and full of personality. Here is an example of a Male Melanurus and a juvie Melanurus that I had in my 90.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_bl6wJzSng

PatW · 04/20/2018, 10:53 AM

Nice looking tank.

Your tank might be big enough for a yellow tang. But that might be pushing it.
Bengai Cardinals, Fire fish, or fairy basslet would all be good.
Most fairy or flasher wrasses would work also.

scooter31707 · 04/20/2018, 11:31 AM

I agree with the flasher/fairy wrasses. Also look into the Flame Hawkfish and the flameback dwarf angel and maybe the orchid dottyback.

oldhead · 04/20/2018, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrionN

Mandarin Dragonet pair. You will like themem

You didn't read the OP's whole post did you?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cliving1

Pair of long nose or flame hawk? What about a trio of coral beauty or flame angels?

He probably likes his corals

Quote:

Originally Posted by natanitelite

I might consider ~5 banggai to give some life in the upper part of the water column

You wouldn't end up with 5

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrionN

If you want Damsels I would get Azur damsels. Much more striking then Chromis which is such a bland fish IMO

The only damsel fish to consider and not give you headaches are chromis, he already has clowns. Any others I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

oldhead · 04/20/2018, 11:43 AM

Your tank is just on the small side but this angel is often over looked.
Genicanthus lamarck

OrionN · 04/20/2018, 11:59 AM

oldhead,
You are not a very friendly fellow are you. Oldhead is certainly appropriate for a curmudgeon.
---------
OP tank is about about 100 gal. The possibility of what fish to put there is wide open. If a harem or a group of fish of the same species, then Royal Gramma group is great. Contrary to popular believe, Royal Gramma will breed in our aquarium as a harem. I have had experience with this. With observation, you can see that Royal Gramma are protogynouns hermaphrodites and are dimorphic. Experienced keeper will be able to tell male from female. Two males cannot be in a same tank, they will fight to the death and female will change sex very quickly without another male.
Orchich Dottyback harem or pair is also another possibility. These are the most docile of the dottyback and will be fine in community tank.
If singleton wanted, another medium size tang is fine.
Fairy or Flasher wrasses are excellent addition. These are some of the most beautiful fish that can be keep that are completely reef-safe. They do need a screen top or else sooner or later you will have very expensive fish jerky.

Regarding damsels, certain damsel species are very docile and never bother anybody. Azure Damsel is one of the species that I would not hesitant to put in a docile community tank.

What I wrote above are from personal experiences, not from parroting of what other people wrote.

OrionN · 04/20/2018, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldhead

Your tank is just on the small side but this angel is often over looked.
Genicanthus lamarck

Lamarck is pretty big. A G. watanabei is a much better choice.

oldhead · 04/20/2018, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrionN

Lamarck is pretty big. A G. watanabei is a much better choice.

That's a pretty fish.

04/19/2018, 05:09 AM	#1
Patrick Cox Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 1,697	Need Help with Fish Selection I have a 2 year old mixed hard coral reef and my nutrient levels are too low so I am looking into adding a few more fish. Here are what I believe to be the important details of my tank... 100G 48" L x24" W x20" H 2 MP40s running at about 60% Reef Crest ATI 8x54 T5 fixture Good Skimmer in the sump PH 7.9-8.3 78 degrees 1.025 Salinity Bare Bottom ~65 lbs of Tampa Bay Live Rock Mostly SPS with a few LPS and one Clam (see picture) 20-30 small snails for CUC along with 2 small urchins Current Fish: -One Spot Fox Face -Kole Tang -Clownfish Pair -Yellow Assessor -Possum Wrasse What I am looking for in fish: -Fairly low maintenance in terms of feeding. (So no Anthias for example) -Stay away from fish that are likely to nip at my clam -Fish that will easily integrate with my current fish. I was thinking about 3-5 Blue Green Chromis but I am worried they won't last. If not, maybe some other small schooling fish? I like the idea of adding several of one more breed, rather than adding several more different fish. Today I mainly feed Spirulina enriched Brine Shrimp, Nori Sheets and Spectrum Pellets. Thanks for your suggestions! __________________ 100G Fairly New Aspiring SPS/Mixed Reef - 48" x 24" x 20"

04/19/2018, 08:46 AM	#3
RobZilla04 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: St. Augustine, FL Posts: 1,857	The blue green chromis could work. I have three in my 90g. I tried adding three more but they didn't make it. Still the same three for over 1.5 years now. Beautiful clam BTW. __________________ 90g Mixed Reef

04/19/2018, 10:46 AM	#5
OrionN Moved on Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Coastal Texas Posts: 16,000	Mandarin Dragonet pair. You will like themem __________________ Minh My homepage is my album here at Reef Central Current Tank Info: Reboot 320 anemones reef. Angels: Yellow Chest Regal(2), Flame (2). Copperband But. Tangs: Yellow, Purple. Wrasse: about 20 wrasses various species. Anemones: Giantea X4 (Breen, Blue, Purple and Multicolors), Haddoni X1 Red, Magnifica X1 Purpletip

04/20/2018, 04:53 AM	#10
OrionN Moved on Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Coastal Texas Posts: 16,000	Neither Firefish or Banggai will live long term more than a pair in a tank. Once mature, the dominant pair will chased all the other out of the tank. either tot he carpet or into the over flow. I know that in nature, they exist in what look like group, but not in aquarium. __________________ Minh My homepage is my album here at Reef Central Current Tank Info: Reboot 320 anemones reef. Angels: Yellow Chest Regal(2), Flame (2). Copperband But. Tangs: Yellow, Purple. Wrasse: about 20 wrasses various species. Anemones: Giantea X4 (Breen, Blue, Purple and Multicolors), Haddoni X1 Red, Magnifica X1 Purpletip

04/20/2018, 05:47 AM	#12
Bent I got nothin' Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The anals Posts: 6,420	Marine betta! __________________ Quitters never lose. [QUOTE=CStrickland]Who gets mad at a starfish?[/QUOTE] Current Tank Info: 75g DT, 30G refugium, 10g chaeto tank, 50g stock tank basement sump

04/19/2018, 06:12 AM	#2
oldhead Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: New Jersey Posts: 527	Chaulk basslet would be my choice.

04/19/2018, 10:48 AM	#6
Cliving1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 1,923	Pair of long nose or flame hawk? What about a trio of coral beauty or flame angels?

04/19/2018, 07:09 PM	#8
natanitelite Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 22	I might consider ~5 banggai to give some life in the upper part of the water column

04/20/2018, 06:33 AM	#13
OrionN Moved on Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Coastal Texas Posts: 16,000	Your tank is about 100 gal with no pod eater other than possible Your wrasse. Well run, it should support a pair of Mandarin. Certainly one Mandarin at least. __________________ Minh My homepage is my album here at Reef Central Current Tank Info: Reboot 320 anemones reef. Angels: Yellow Chest Regal(2), Flame (2). Copperband But. Tangs: Yellow, Purple. Wrasse: about 20 wrasses various species. Anemones: Giantea X4 (Breen, Blue, Purple and Multicolors), Haddoni X1 Red, Magnifica X1 Purpletip

04/20/2018, 06:35 AM	#14
OrionN Moved on Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Coastal Texas Posts: 16,000	If you want Damsels I would get Azur damsels. Much more striking then Chromis which is such a bland fish IMO __________________ Minh My homepage is my album here at Reef Central Current Tank Info: Reboot 320 anemones reef. Angels: Yellow Chest Regal(2), Flame (2). Copperband But. Tangs: Yellow, Purple. Wrasse: about 20 wrasses various species. Anemones: Giantea X4 (Breen, Blue, Purple and Multicolors), Haddoni X1 Red, Magnifica X1 Purpletip

04/20/2018, 06:37 AM	#15
OrionN Moved on Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Coastal Texas Posts: 16,000	If you want three flasher wrasses of different species would be great. Or several Fairy wrasses. Cover is a must for these guys. __________________ Minh My homepage is my album here at Reef Central Current Tank Info: Reboot 320 anemones reef. Angels: Yellow Chest Regal(2), Flame (2). Copperband But. Tangs: Yellow, Purple. Wrasse: about 20 wrasses various species. Anemones: Giantea X4 (Breen, Blue, Purple and Multicolors), Haddoni X1 Red, Magnifica X1 Purpletip

04/20/2018, 08:34 AM	#17
OrionN Moved on Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Coastal Texas Posts: 16,000	Diamond tail Flasher wrasse Sail-fin Fairy wrasse __________________ Minh My homepage is my album here at Reef Central Current Tank Info: Reboot 320 anemones reef. Angels: Yellow Chest Regal(2), Flame (2). Copperband But. Tangs: Yellow, Purple. Wrasse: about 20 wrasses various species. Anemones: Giantea X4 (Breen, Blue, Purple and Multicolors), Haddoni X1 Red, Magnifica X1 Purpletip

04/20/2018, 10:53 AM	#19
PatW Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 275	Nice looking tank. Your tank might be big enough for a yellow tang. But that might be pushing it. Bengai Cardinals, Fire fish, or fairy basslet would all be good. Most fairy or flasher wrasses would work also.

04/20/2018, 11:31 AM	#20
scooter31707 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 4,971	I agree with the flasher/fairy wrasses. Also look into the Flame Hawkfish and the flameback dwarf angel and maybe the orchid dottyback.

04/20/2018, 11:43 AM	#22
oldhead Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: New Jersey Posts: 527	Your tank is just on the small side but this angel is often over looked. Genicanthus lamarck

04/20/2018, 11:59 AM	#23
OrionN Moved on Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Coastal Texas Posts: 16,000	oldhead, You are not a very friendly fellow are you. Oldhead is certainly appropriate for a curmudgeon. --------- OP tank is about about 100 gal. The possibility of what fish to put there is wide open. If a harem or a group of fish of the same species, then Royal Gramma group is great. Contrary to popular believe, Royal Gramma will breed in our aquarium as a harem. I have had experience with this. With observation, you can see that Royal Gramma are protogynouns hermaphrodites and are dimorphic. Experienced keeper will be able to tell male from female. Two males cannot be in a same tank, they will fight to the death and female will change sex very quickly without another male. Orchich Dottyback harem or pair is also another possibility. These are the most docile of the dottyback and will be fine in community tank. If singleton wanted, another medium size tang is fine. Fairy or Flasher wrasses are excellent addition. These are some of the most beautiful fish that can be keep that are completely reef-safe. They do need a screen top or else sooner or later you will have very expensive fish jerky. Regarding damsels, certain damsel species are very docile and never bother anybody. Azure Damsel is one of the species that I would not hesitant to put in a docile community tank. What I wrote above are from personal experiences, not from parroting of what other people wrote. __________________ Minh My homepage is my album here at Reef Central Current Tank Info: Reboot 320 anemones reef. Angels: Yellow Chest Regal(2), Flame (2). Copperband But. Tangs: Yellow, Purple. Wrasse: about 20 wrasses various species. Anemones: Giantea X4 (Breen, Blue, Purple and Multicolors), Haddoni X1 Red, Magnifica X1 Purpletip