Fish Suggestions

[55FOWLR]

Hi everyone,
I have a 55 gallon tank with about 50lb of rock. I started it about two months ago and currently have 2 oscellaris clownfish (1 orange, 1 black), a sailfin tang (about 3in) and just got a flame angelfish yesterday. Now that I have a flame angel which is what I've wanted from the beginning I'm looking for a blue fish to compliment its color near the tail. I really want a juvenille Koran angel or a blue tang. So I was wondering will either of these work with what fish I have now, even though I will have to remove them, and the sailfin, in the future due to their size. And if neither of these work, do you have any suggestions? Any help is appreciated, thanks.

[Animagus]

Your WAY overstocked already. That 55 suits other fish better. (smaller ones)

It's not that those fish you have can't survive for years on end, it's just that the jail cell is too small. Too many chefs in the kitchen makes bad soup.

[Sk8r]

The problem is the sailfin. THis fish maxes out over a foot long, and is muscle armed with a spike. Long before then, probably at about 5", he will likely take out the angel and maybe the clowns. THat's what people are foreseeing. If you can re-home him now while he's little (fish stores can't take back many big fish, but will usually take a nice fish back who's smaller and even give you store credit) and replace him with a fish that will stay under 5", the future of the tank will be much happier. You might go with a few smaller and very colorful fishes like the Fiji blue and the royal gramma, plus maybe a starry blenny, if you like a fish will a lot of interesting moves (and a coat that changes color by the second), and still not have the overcrowding issue.

[55FOWLR]

Originally Posted by Sk8r

The problem is the sailfin. THis fish maxes out over a foot long, and is muscle armed with a spike. Long before then, probably at about 5", he will likely take out the angel and maybe the clowns. THat's what people are foreseeing. If you can re-home him now while he's little (fish stores can't take back many big fish, but will usually take a nice fish back who's smaller and even give you store credit) and replace him with a fish that will stay under 5", the future of the tank will be much happier. You might go with a few smaller and very colorful fishes like the Fiji blue and the royal gramma, plus maybe a starry blenny, if you like a fish will a lot of interesting moves (and a coat that changes color by the second), and still not have the overcrowding issue.

When I bought the sailfin the store said that when he gets too large I can take him back for another small one or they will give me money towards another fish. As for them not being able to take back a large fish they have six 1800 gallon tanks in addition to the small tanks that they sell fish in. I read that he may get aggressive so I am prepared to sell him back if/when he starts to attack any other fish.

I was actually planning to buy fish as juvenilles and sell them back whenever they get too large which is why I am not too worried about the future rehoming. I thought it would be cool to change out a fish every year or so in order to keep my friends and family entertained with the fish.

On a side note, I also saw some small (2-3in) butterflyfish like the copperband, pakistani, and pearlscale that I liked. Do any of these get along with the sailfin? If so, do you know how long until they would outgrow the tank?

[BigEZ77]

You don't want to home fish based on their current size but rather their max size. Even if you plan to return it or plan on a larger tank some day, it's not fair to them to be stressed yet again with further rehoming or to wait for a larger tank they should have had in the first place. Albeit, this hobby isn't humane to begin with but you can reduce further stress by being as responsible as possible. I think you're good with the flame but should return the tang asap and not consider the others on your list.

[jraker]

As the others said, return the tang. I know it is small, but it is best to return it and give it the space it needs.

[Taahirs]

Golden rule: don't buy fish based on their current size, base it on their adult size.

[bat21]

I would prefer you treat these animals as pets instead of interchangeable display pieces.

[scooter31707]

My prayers goes out to the fish

[cougareyes]

Originally Posted by 55FOWLR

When I bought the sailfin the store said that when he gets too large I can take him back for another small one or they will give me money towards another fish. As for them not being able to take back a large fish they have six 1800 gallon tanks in addition to the small tanks that they sell fish in. I read that he may get aggressive so I am prepared to sell him back if/when he starts to attack any other fish.

I was actually planning to buy fish as juvenilles and sell them back whenever they get too large which is why I am not too worried about the future rehoming. I thought it would be cool to change out a fish every year or so in order to keep my friends and family entertained with the fish.

On a side note, I also saw some small (2-3in) butterflyfish like the copperband, pakistani, and pearlscale that I liked. Do any of these get along with the sailfin? If so, do you know how long until they would outgrow the tank?

I'm not completely supporting you with the tang in a 55, but I do get the rehoming idea. People that don't have this option don't understand. I live in Vegas which has a very vibrant fish culture with huge private tanks, hotel and restaurant tanks, and many other options to rehome. The lfs and maintenance companies here love to get their hands on one of my tank raised beauties. The fish are much better off being tank raised from juvis and then placed in a huge display, rather than a larger adult snatched from the ocean to go into a 1000+ gallon display. Many large adults don't make it, and the fish have a much better life being raised by me then going into a huge display. I have 2 1" triggers in a 30g right now, they will go into my 90, then 210, and who knows maybe 5 years from now a 1000+ somewhere.

[Jeff4777]

Originally Posted by 55FOWLR

When I bought the sailfin the store said that when he gets too large I can take him back for another small one or they will give me money towards another fish. As for them not being able to take back a large fish they have six 1800 gallon tanks in addition to the small tanks that they sell fish in. I read that he may get aggressive so I am prepared to sell him back if/when he starts to attack any other fish.

I was actually planning to buy fish as juvenilles and sell them back whenever they get too large which is why I am not too worried about the future rehoming. I thought it would be cool to change out a fish every year or so in order to keep my friends and family entertained with the fish.

On a side note, I also saw some small (2-3in) butterflyfish like the copperband, pakistani, and pearlscale that I liked. Do any of these get along with the sailfin? If so, do you know how long until they would outgrow the tank?

So many people new to the hobby use this same type of logic to justify what they are doing. If you slow down finishing your tank and take that time to read and research you would understand just why what your doing just is bad idea all around.

[iluvmyfishes]

I do think that there are some fish that learn to eat better in a smaller tank before going to a larger home but overall I do not think it is good for the fish to be rehomed multiple times. It is much better to put young fish into a larger tank that they can grow in to. You will get better show size fish that way. A 55 is too small for that. Plus all my fish have personalities and become family pets. I can hand feed my Moorish Idol. He follows me every time I come near the tank. I feel sorry for your fish getting raised in a tank too small and then getting displaced multiple times going from lfs to yet another tank.

[cougareyes]

This is a very complicated subject and it's not as black and white as some think. Where do you think these large adult fish come from; large angels, tangs, butterflys that are snatched from the ocean have a miserable survival rate and so do many others. People with large displays can hardly place small juvis in a 500g and wait 5 or more years for them to grow into it, and juvis will definately take better to captive. I have fish from my tanks all over town that have been thriving for many, many years after I tank raised them. Every season certain babies show up all over the place, I'm raising 2 triggers right now. It would be quite impossible to put a 1" clown trigger in a 300g, they will grow maybe a 1/2" a year for the first 2-3 years; what about the other residents, I'm thinking he'd be lunch. But most tangs and butterflys never come in under 2" and will grow at least another inch in a year, so they need to start out in a much larger tank.

[55FOWLR]

Thanks for the advice everyone,
I didn't realize how bad it would be for the fish since he would be placed into a larger tank afterwards. I thought it would be like upgrading the tank for him. But clearly that is not correct so I guess I will sell him back and try to find some smaller fish that will work in the tank. I did see some very bright blue chromis that were something other than blue green so maybe I will ask the store about those since they should stay small.

[bat21]

I stupidly bought a damsel as my first fish, and then had to return him when he wouldn't let me add any new fish. Over a year later and I still feel bad about giving him a nice safe home and then taking it away because he acted like the damselfish he is.

[55FOWLR]

Since I am going with smaller fish, does anyone know if a firefish or cardinalfish would work? I see them both at the LFS most weeks and was wondering if they would get along with the flame angel and clowns? Also if they do are they better individually or should I get a couple of them? They both look pretty small at the store but I am not sure about how large they can grow.

[CuttleGuy]

Firefish, clown fish, anthias, 2 damsels, Cardinals, engineer goby, watchman goby pistol shrimp pair, clown goby, pretty much any goby, and chromis are all good community fish. You can even do a fairy wrasse but just make sure you have enough hiding spaces.

[bat21]

Originally Posted by 55FOWLR

Since I am going with smaller fish, does anyone know if a firefish or cardinalfish would work? I see them both at the LFS most weeks and was wondering if they would get along with the flame angel and clowns? Also if they do are they better individually or should I get a couple of them? They both look pretty small at the store but I am not sure about how large they can grow.

I wouldn't be so sure about adding a firefish after an angel. You may never see it. Depends on how your angel feels about the firefish.

It would've been better to wait on the angelfish. Adding any docile fish is going to be tough now.

[Chibils]

I think the cardinal fish is a better choice. Firefish are about as peaceful as it gets but they can be extremely skittish and are prone to jumping out of your tank when startled. I think a tank with a dwarf angel and tang and clowns might be too high energy for firefish.

Cards are a solid choice but some people consider them boring. When in doubt, I always go to liveaquaria.com and look at the various types of fish that are available. They have a pretty comprehensive list of commonly available fish with pictures, sizes, temperaments, etc. that you can look at. From there you can go to your LFS and see if you can see anything good, or if they can order something you like.

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[Maritimer]

If you're still looking for some beautiful blues, take a glance at blue gudgeon dartfish - a cousin of the firefish, shimmering in sky blue. Like the firefish, they can be shy and may launch out the top . . .

Also, take a look at the orange-back fairy wrasse, which also has jumping potential, but has a more active, confident nature. Magenta head, yellow-orange back ... and a peaceful cerulian blue lower half & fins. Not too big, either.

~Bruce

[BigEZ77]

Originally Posted by Chibils

Cards are a solid choice but some people consider them boring.

Love mine, he's like a big dopie dog flopping around the tank.

[55FOWLR]

Originally Posted by Chibils

Cards are a solid choice but some people consider them boring. When in doubt, I always go to liveaquaria.com and look at the various types of fish that are available. They have a pretty comprehensive list of commonly available fish with pictures, sizes, temperaments, etc. that you can look at. From there you can go to your LFS and see if you can see anything good, or if they can order something you like.

I can see how some people would think they are boring since they never swim around when I go to the store. They usually just kinda sit there, but I really like them for their unique shape rather than activity. I looked them up on liveaqaria like you said and it says they like to have a few in the same tank but not many so should I get 2 or just 1 to start?

[55FOWLR]

Originally Posted by Maritimer

If you're still looking for some beautiful blues, take a glance at blue gudgeon dartfish - a cousin of the firefish, shimmering in sky blue. Like the firefish, they can be shy and may launch out the top . . .

Also, take a look at the orange-back fairy wrasse, which also has jumping potential, but has a more active, confident nature. Magenta head, yellow-orange back ... and a peaceful cerulian blue lower half & fins. Not too big, either.

~Bruce

Those both look really cool. I think I will talk to my LFS later this week and see if they are getting any in soon or how much it would be to order them. Thanks for the suggestions!

[Chibils]

I've never kept them, but I know they pair easily. 1 is fine - they won't hide or anything if there's just one. 2 is also fine, if they pair up. Not sure what happens if they don't, hopefully someone else will chime in here because some fish will kill their companion if they can't pair with them (like two males). Not sure if Banggai cardinals are one of those fish.

I wouldn't get more than 2 since the pair will pick off the others. Also please buy captive bred if they're available. They're endangered in the wild.

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[Maritimer]

It's going to depend on the cardinalfish. Banggais, for instance, will pair off and then beat up on all other Banggais. For them, one works - two if you've got a compatible pair - but larger numbers ... not so much.

Some, but not all, other cardinals will hang together in lovely schools.

~Bruce