Help me pick my last fish

wharfrat48 · 02/17/2006, 03:00 PM

My 75g mixed reef is coming up on 2 yrs old and although I plan on adding a few more corals, I think one more fish and I'll be done. I'm looking for a "show fish", I already have a few that aren't very visible. Here is my list so far: small Blue Tang, Bangaii Cardinal, six-line wrasse, pseudochromis, and 2 false percs. I was thinking of a lunar wrasse or another of the larger types, but I do not have a lid and don't want to find my dogs having fun with my new fish. Maybe an anthias? What do you think?

Thanks

Rich

todd2000 · 02/17/2006, 03:19 PM

I say when the Tang grows he will be your "show fish" their gorgeous fish IMO

wharfrat48 · 02/17/2006, 03:31 PM

He or she (Dory, of course) IS my show fish. I guess I meant I want to add a fish that will be out and about most of the time. Right now, you can look at the tank sometimes and it seems empty, with only one or 2 fish visible.

todd2000 · 02/17/2006, 03:50 PM

Im not so sure about fish that stay out, I thought tangs were generally active, and visable, is he/she new? Mabye he/she's getting used to the tank still.

Alaskan Reefer · 02/17/2006, 03:56 PM

Depending on the corals you have, a small angel could be nice.

Crusty Old Shellback · 02/17/2006, 03:57 PM

I'd go for a few more of the small colorful wrasses. I guess I've been lucky as I've never had one jump. A red corris wrasse would also look nice, espically after it turns to it's adult color. Mines about half way thru the change now.

Gobie · 02/17/2006, 04:03 PM

DonÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t do a red coris wrasse, a 180 is too small of a tank when it gets about a foot long and eats all your shrimp crabs snails and small fish. A bunch of smaller wrasses would be nice.

Crusty Old Shellback · 02/17/2006, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gobie
DonÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t do a red tail, a 180 is too small of a tank when it gets about a foot long and eats all your shrimp crabs snails and small fish. A bunch of smaller wrasses would be nice.

Are you taling about a red tail or a red coris wrasse? Mine's doing just fine. Only turns over rocks looking for food in the sand. As with any fish though, it's always a hit or miss afair.

Gobie · 02/17/2006, 04:15 PM

Sorry just edited my post, I was thinking red coris wrasse and typed red tail instead. I have seen what a large red coris wrasse can do to a tank. In a friends reef tank he had to remove the fish, he got it when it was small and it became more and more of a problem as it matured. It chased down and ate a couple of his gobies.

coralights · 02/17/2006, 04:36 PM

forget the lunar wrasse ... belligerant, clumsey and grow too large ... I love them under the right circumstances

a marine betta/comet ... beautiful & very hardy and though somewhat prone to hang out in the shadows a very nice subtle addition

alternately (or even additionally) a dwarf angel .... coral beauty atlantic pigmy or flame

Meloco14 · 02/17/2006, 04:49 PM

Well for what it sounds like you're looking for you might try a small school of chromis, maybe 5 or 6. That might make the tank seem less empty. Or 4 or 5 anthias. Fairy or flasher wrasses would be great except for the potential jumping. What kind of corals do you have? If nothing polypy and no clams, you could try a small angel. They are always swimming around, pecking at the rock. A lot of fun to watch.

SDguy · 02/17/2006, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Meloco14
Fairy or flasher wrasses would be great except for the potential jumping.

I agree, good choice...and their movements out in the open will bring your Blue tang out more too.

reefgeek84 · 02/17/2006, 05:09 PM

If you have a sand bed, get a jawfish!!!!

JRoweNole · 02/18/2006, 01:18 PM

I would be careful about what type of fish to add to a 2 year old tank if your current fish have been in the tank for some time.

I also have a six line wrasse and a scopas tang in my 92 gallon. These fish have been in the tank for almost 5 years. After I had them for a couple of years, I tried adding a jawfish, a foxface, and a small goby (not at the same time). ALL of these fish were attacked and killed, with the six line wrasse being most aggressive.

I would not add another wrasse to your tank if I were you.

Anemonebuff · 02/18/2006, 01:22 PM

Wrasses are always a liabilty. They are not really "reef safe" all the time. Just like pygmy angels.

reverendmaynard · 02/18/2006, 01:57 PM

How about a yellow tang? I have a yellow and a hippo, they get along great. Each makes the other feel more secure, so they stay out and about more.

sean48183 · 02/18/2006, 02:07 PM

Your psuedocromis hides. Is it a strawberry? Mine is out all the time nipping at everybodies fins. For a lid you could cut a eggcrate light lens. It keeps the tank open to air but keeps fish from jumping. I have lost 2 to jumping and can't take the chance anymore.

What ever you add it should probably be bigger then your other guys. They have probably really established that tank as theirs. If your feeling adventerous you could try a flagpin angel or something like that. It stays relatively small for the larger angels and are really beautiful. Also a banana wrasse is nice too but could crush on some shrimp and crabs. There is a guy on this site that has a full blown reef with a banana wrasse in it and I believe he said it has left his cleaner shrimp alone.

wharfrat48 · 02/18/2006, 04:44 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions. I thought of a school of chromis or anthias but I want to keep my bioload rather low, so I'm leaning towards just one fish. I do have SPS and clams so I guess an angel is out.
A yellow tang would certainly add some color , but should I be worried about it getting along with the blue tang?
Red coris or fairy wrasse may be a better choice. Are these less prone to jumping?
Marine betta also sounds like a good choice, any other comments about these? I dont know much about them.

Thanks again

nemo g · 02/18/2006, 04:52 PM

how about a pair of pygmy angels

i say a pair because i was wif bof at one time once... all i can say iz
WICKED

nemo g

cabbagehead · 02/18/2006, 04:54 PM

I would get a yellow tang. I had my blue tang first and added my yellow tang after about six months. They never touched each other and get along great. Try to introduce the new fish at night without the lights and change some of the aquascaping if possible. You won't regret it!

Meloco14 · 02/20/2006, 10:51 AM

I believe most wrasses are jumpers. Yellow tangs normally get along fine with blue tangs. However, since your blue tang has been established for some time now it might be territorial towards any new fish. As mentioned, you can move the rocks around to break up his territory and then add a new fish. This often helps, but is not 100% effective. I have never kept a marine betta but I beleive they will eat pretty much anything smaller than them. Hopefully someone can confirm/deny this.

02/17/2006, 03:00 PM	#1
wharfrat48 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 468	Help me pick my last fish My 75g mixed reef is coming up on 2 yrs old and although I plan on adding a few more corals, I think one more fish and I'll be done. I'm looking for a "show fish", I already have a few that aren't very visible. Here is my list so far: small Blue Tang, Bangaii Cardinal, six-line wrasse, pseudochromis, and 2 false percs. I was thinking of a lunar wrasse or another of the larger types, but I do not have a lid and don't want to find my dogs having fun with my new fish. Maybe an anthias? What do you think? Thanks Rich

02/17/2006, 03:56 PM	#5
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	Depending on the corals you have, a small angel could be nice. __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress

02/17/2006, 03:57 PM	#6
Crusty Old Shellback MASVC OG Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Home of the FREE, Thanks to the BRAVE! Posts: 5,089	I'd go for a few more of the small colorful wrasses. I guess I've been lucky as I've never had one jump. A red corris wrasse would also look nice, espically after it turns to it's adult color. Mines about half way thru the change now. __________________ Have you THANKED a Veteran lately for the freedoms you take for granted each day? Best quote ever! "This is a hobby for God sakes and so many people get so uptite. A "hobby" so it should be fun and not a cause to worry or go broke." Paul B Current Tank Info: Tankless for a while. RIP my 8+ yr old pair of Naso tangs, 4 + yr old Moorish Idol

02/17/2006, 04:36 PM	#10
coralights Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: East Coast NY/NJ Posts: 20	forget the lunar wrasse ... belligerant, clumsey and grow too large ... I love them under the right circumstances a marine betta/comet ... beautiful & very hardy and though somewhat prone to hang out in the shadows a very nice subtle addition alternately (or even additionally) a dwarf angel .... coral beauty atlantic pigmy or flame __________________ "Saving our Planet one fish at a Time" Current Tank Info: 2,000 gallons various marine/fresh

02/18/2006, 04:52 PM	#19
nemo g Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: west side iz da best Posts: 1,039	how about a pair of pygmy angels i say a pair because i was wif bof at one time once... all i can say iz WICKED nemo g __________________ nG Current Tank Info: tis da bestest tank eva

02/17/2006, 03:19 PM	#2
todd2000 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: VA Posts: 706	I say when the Tang grows he will be your "show fish" their gorgeous fish IMO

02/17/2006, 03:31 PM	#3
wharfrat48 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 468	He or she (Dory, of course) IS my show fish. I guess I meant I want to add a fish that will be out and about most of the time. Right now, you can look at the tank sometimes and it seems empty, with only one or 2 fish visible.

02/17/2006, 03:50 PM	#4
todd2000 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: VA Posts: 706	Im not so sure about fish that stay out, I thought tangs were generally active, and visable, is he/she new? Mabye he/she's getting used to the tank still.

02/17/2006, 04:03 PM	#7
Gobie Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 668	DonÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t do a red coris wrasse, a 180 is too small of a tank when it gets about a foot long and eats all your shrimp crabs snails and small fish. A bunch of smaller wrasses would be nice.

02/17/2006, 04:15 PM	#9
Gobie Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 668	Sorry just edited my post, I was thinking red coris wrasse and typed red tail instead. I have seen what a large red coris wrasse can do to a tank. In a friends reef tank he had to remove the fish, he got it when it was small and it became more and more of a problem as it matured. It chased down and ate a couple of his gobies.

02/17/2006, 04:49 PM	#11
Meloco14 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 112	Well for what it sounds like you're looking for you might try a small school of chromis, maybe 5 or 6. That might make the tank seem less empty. Or 4 or 5 anthias. Fairy or flasher wrasses would be great except for the potential jumping. What kind of corals do you have? If nothing polypy and no clams, you could try a small angel. They are always swimming around, pecking at the rock. A lot of fun to watch.

02/17/2006, 05:09 PM	#13
reefgeek84 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Portlan, OR Posts: 997	If you have a sand bed, get a jawfish!!!!

02/18/2006, 01:18 PM	#14
JRoweNole Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kennesaw, Georgia Posts: 324	I would be careful about what type of fish to add to a 2 year old tank if your current fish have been in the tank for some time. I also have a six line wrasse and a scopas tang in my 92 gallon. These fish have been in the tank for almost 5 years. After I had them for a couple of years, I tried adding a jawfish, a foxface, and a small goby (not at the same time). ALL of these fish were attacked and killed, with the six line wrasse being most aggressive. I would not add another wrasse to your tank if I were you.

02/18/2006, 01:22 PM	#15
Anemonebuff Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: LI,NY Posts: 3,877	Wrasses are always a liabilty. They are not really "reef safe" all the time. Just like pygmy angels.

02/18/2006, 01:57 PM	#16
reverendmaynard Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: RI Posts: 1,490	How about a yellow tang? I have a yellow and a hippo, they get along great. Each makes the other feel more secure, so they stay out and about more.

02/18/2006, 02:07 PM	#17
sean48183 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: michigan Posts: 1,577	Your psuedocromis hides. Is it a strawberry? Mine is out all the time nipping at everybodies fins. For a lid you could cut a eggcrate light lens. It keeps the tank open to air but keeps fish from jumping. I have lost 2 to jumping and can't take the chance anymore. What ever you add it should probably be bigger then your other guys. They have probably really established that tank as theirs. If your feeling adventerous you could try a flagpin angel or something like that. It stays relatively small for the larger angels and are really beautiful. Also a banana wrasse is nice too but could crush on some shrimp and crabs. There is a guy on this site that has a full blown reef with a banana wrasse in it and I believe he said it has left his cleaner shrimp alone.

02/18/2006, 04:44 PM	#18
wharfrat48 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 468	Thanks for all the suggestions. I thought of a school of chromis or anthias but I want to keep my bioload rather low, so I'm leaning towards just one fish. I do have SPS and clams so I guess an angel is out. A yellow tang would certainly add some color , but should I be worried about it getting along with the blue tang? Red coris or fairy wrasse may be a better choice. Are these less prone to jumping? Marine betta also sounds like a good choice, any other comments about these? I dont know much about them. Thanks again

02/18/2006, 04:54 PM	#20
cabbagehead Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Englewood Florida Posts: 326 Blog Entries: 2	I would get a yellow tang. I had my blue tang first and added my yellow tang after about six months. They never touched each other and get along great. Try to introduce the new fish at night without the lights and change some of the aquascaping if possible. You won't regret it!

02/20/2006, 10:51 AM	#21
Meloco14 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 112	I believe most wrasses are jumpers. Yellow tangs normally get along fine with blue tangs. However, since your blue tang has been established for some time now it might be territorial towards any new fish. As mentioned, you can move the rocks around to break up his territory and then add a new fish. This often helps, but is not 100% effective. I have never kept a marine betta but I beleive they will eat pretty much anything smaller than them. Hopefully someone can confirm/deny this.