Fish selection help for newbie - 65g

credenza · 02/18/2018, 04:22 PM

Hi all,
I am starting new in the saltwater hobby (previously kept freshwater tank). I have a 65g tank that has been cycled and running for 2 months. I also set up a 10g quarantine tank and processed a clownfish pair and have added them to the 65g display tank. (My priority is fish and macro algae in this tank. A few soft corals may be down the road)

Now I am looking to get my remaining desired fish list finalized and figure out the right order to establish a peaceful tank.

Also my list is limited by what I can get from the LFS or online that are captive bred.
Here is my wish list (additions to my clownfish pair):
1) Bangaii cardinal or Pajama cardinal or both?
2) Watchman goby (can i keep a goby with one blenny?)
3) black line blenny or bicolor blenny or forktail blenny?
4) Orchid dottyback
5) azure damselfish

As I mentioned earlier, I am committed to only including captive bred fish. It is also a side goal of mine to get as much color as possible per the request of my boy - blue and my girl - pink/purple.

If this very experienced group can advise me where the pitfalls lie in my plan above, that would be huge! Also any preferences between fish within the same species, based on your experiences.

Sk8r · 02/18/2018, 04:37 PM

You're probably ok---nothing gets too big. I'd suggest maybe trading the dottyback (the yellows in particular are meaner than a junkyard dog,---orchids have a better rep) for the pink margin wrasse, who is a well-behaved type in a community. I can't swear to the cardinals. Another fish that might do well for you is a firefish.

bertoni · 02/18/2018, 05:22 PM

To Reef Central

credenza · 02/18/2018, 06:22 PM

Thanks for the warm welcome, Bertoni and the quick advice , Sk8r.

I will take your advice on the firefish. And will consider the dottyback caveat.

What are your thoughts on say introducing an azure damselfish at the end of the list? Would the firefish be harassed?

kiMxD · 02/19/2018, 04:08 PM

I'd never introduce a damsel if it's not necessary (in case you REALLY like them). Damsels have a bad reputation, usually the majority are aggressive.

If you like Damsels, I'd suggest you to try Chromis viridis, it's the peaceful Damsel. It's a great starter fish, beautiful color, cheap and hardy just as any other Damsel.

Welcome to RC and happy reefing!

credenza · 02/19/2018, 07:39 PM

Here is my set up.
Thanks for that advice on damsels. Just wanted to confirm all the information out there about damsels is true for the azure damselfish as well.
Will research the chromis viridis.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

credenza · 02/19/2018, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by credenza

Here is my set up.
Thanks for that advice on damsels. Just wanted to confirm all the information out there about damsels is true for the azure damselfish as well.
Will research the chromis viridis.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

And ignore the algae thrown around in the pic

It's a work in progress. Just threw some of these to see how they do , work on my nitrates etc.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

nereefpat · 02/19/2018, 10:53 PM

The azure damsel, and its Chrysiptera spp cousins, are pretty peaceful.

I like the list, personally. Good variety of small and pretty reef-safe fishes that won't outgrow the tank.

Cancun · 02/19/2018, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by credenza

Hi all,
I am starting new in the saltwater hobby (previously kept freshwater tank). I have a 65g tank that has been cycled and running for 2 months. I also set up a 10g quarantine tank and processed a clownfish pair and have added them to the 65g display tank. (My priority is fish and macro algae in this tank. A few soft corals may be down the road)

Now I am looking to get my remaining desired fish list finalized and figure out the right order to establish a peaceful tank.

Also my list is limited by what I can get from the LFS or online that are captive bred.
Here is my wish list (additions to my clownfish pair):
1) Bangaii cardinal or Pajama cardinal or both?
2) Watchman goby (can i keep a goby with one blenny?)
3) black line blenny or bicolor blenny or forktail blenny?
4) Orchid dottyback
5) azure damselfish

As I mentioned earlier, I am committed to only including captive bred fish. It is also a side goal of mine to get as much color as possible per the request of my boy - blue and my girl - pink/purple.

If this very experienced group can advise me where the pitfalls lie in my plan above, that would be huge! Also any preferences between fish within the same species, based on your experiences.

Hi there! Your list looks really good....and good for you on buying only captive bred live stock! You mentioned a peaceful tank...you might want to reconsider the Azure Damsel....I know that damsels can get pretty mean. Yea you should be able to keep a Goby and a blenny no problem. Everything else looks great and peaceful!

Sent from my MHA-L29 using Tapatalk

kiMxD · 02/20/2018, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nereefpat

The azure damsel, and its Chrysiptera spp cousins, are pretty peaceful.

I like the list, personally. Good variety of small and pretty reef-safe fishes that won't outgrow the tank.

I wouldn't be so sure that the Azure Damsels are pretty peaceful, maybe the one you've got is...

nereefpat · 02/20/2018, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiMxD

I wouldn't be so sure that the Azure Damsels are pretty peaceful, maybe the one you've got is...

In case you haven't seen Sk8tr's damsel write-up:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=847

mitch91175 · 02/20/2018, 03:31 PM

If you are doing macro algae in the tank, maybe a smaller tang would be a great addition. They will help keep it trimmed for you. Awesome grazers. I would substitute out the Pajama Cardinal for a Yellow Tang any day. I just got rid of 4 from my DT. The Pajama isn't the greatest fish to look at.

thecrablady · 02/21/2018, 05:57 PM

Only problem I can see is that tangs can't be captive bred.

Toolfan333 · 02/21/2018, 07:07 PM

I have an azure damsel and it’s not too bad. A royal gramma might be better than the dottyback, although I don’t know if they are captive bred or not.

02/18/2018, 04:22 PM	#1
credenza Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 11	Fish selection help for newbie - 65g Hi all, I am starting new in the saltwater hobby (previously kept freshwater tank). I have a 65g tank that has been cycled and running for 2 months. I also set up a 10g quarantine tank and processed a clownfish pair and have added them to the 65g display tank. (My priority is fish and macro algae in this tank. A few soft corals may be down the road) Now I am looking to get my remaining desired fish list finalized and figure out the right order to establish a peaceful tank. Also my list is limited by what I can get from the LFS or online that are captive bred. Here is my wish list (additions to my clownfish pair): 1) Bangaii cardinal or Pajama cardinal or both? 2) Watchman goby (can i keep a goby with one blenny?) 3) black line blenny or bicolor blenny or forktail blenny? 4) Orchid dottyback 5) azure damselfish As I mentioned earlier, I am committed to only including captive bred fish. It is also a side goal of mine to get as much color as possible per the request of my boy - blue and my girl - pink/purple. If this very experienced group can advise me where the pitfalls lie in my plan above, that would be huge! Also any preferences between fish within the same species, based on your experiences.

02/18/2018, 04:37 PM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	You're probably ok---nothing gets too big. I'd suggest maybe trading the dottyback (the yellows in particular are meaner than a junkyard dog,---orchids have a better rep) for the pink margin wrasse, who is a well-behaved type in a community. I can't swear to the cardinals. Another fish that might do well for you is a firefish. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

02/18/2018, 05:22 PM	#3
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	*To Reef Central* __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

02/19/2018, 10:53 PM	#8
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	The azure damsel, and its Chrysiptera spp cousins, are pretty peaceful. I like the list, personally. Good variety of small and pretty reef-safe fishes that won't outgrow the tank. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

02/18/2018, 06:22 PM	#4
credenza Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 11	Thanks for the warm welcome, Bertoni and the quick advice , Sk8r. I will take your advice on the firefish. And will consider the dottyback caveat. What are your thoughts on say introducing an azure damselfish at the end of the list? Would the firefish be harassed?

02/19/2018, 04:08 PM	#5
kiMxD Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 149	I'd never introduce a damsel if it's not necessary (in case you REALLY like them). Damsels have a bad reputation, usually the majority are aggressive. If you like Damsels, I'd suggest you to try Chromis viridis, it's the peaceful Damsel. It's a great starter fish, beautiful color, cheap and hardy just as any other Damsel. Welcome to RC and happy reefing!

02/19/2018, 07:39 PM	#6
credenza Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 11	Here is my set up. Thanks for that advice on damsels. Just wanted to confirm all the information out there about damsels is true for the azure damselfish as well. Will research the chromis viridis. Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

02/20/2018, 03:31 PM	#12
mitch91175 Premium Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 303	If you are doing macro algae in the tank, maybe a smaller tang would be a great addition. They will help keep it trimmed for you. Awesome grazers. I would substitute out the Pajama Cardinal for a Yellow Tang any day. I just got rid of 4 from my DT. The Pajama isn't the greatest fish to look at.

02/21/2018, 05:57 PM	#13
thecrablady Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 2	Only problem I can see is that tangs can't be captive bred.

02/21/2018, 07:07 PM	#14
Toolfan333 Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 59	I have an azure damsel and it’s not too bad. A royal gramma might be better than the dottyback, although I don’t know if they are captive bred or not.