220g mixed reef Stock List??

[Ian14]

The tank has 2 blue damsels that have been in there a little while. They look great. I'm ready to start adding some more fish over time, but what??

I definitely want some clown fish and tangs. Any other suggestions??
This is my first marine tank and I don't know nearly as much about the fish as I do with freshwater.

What do you guys think!

Will look into anything, invertebrates would be cool

 

[A sea K]

Before adding anything else I would take a close look at your damsel fish, what kind are they? Many damsels have a pretty bad mean streak and if you don't have the friendly variety I would remove them and return to your lfs for store credit towards new fish purchases.

Some fish suggestions would be
midas blenny
basslet
starry or lawnmower blenny
fairy/flasher or other reef safe wrasses
dwarf angel

 

[Ian14]

They are small blue damsels. Are they really that aggressive?

 

[A sea K]

Depends on which ones and yes damsels can be some of the meanest (oz for oz) of our most commonly kept reef fish.

 

[Ian14]

Anything else who guys reccomend?

 

[Tcox]

I didn't see your sand bed depth but the blue spotted jaw fish has a metric crap ton of personality. Many of the firefish are easy and colorful. Also a fan of a goby/shrimp pair. Shop around on liveaquaria. They stock a wide range of fish and give care requirements, compatibility, and temperament. Definately look at only reef safe fish. I would defiantly consider rehoming the damsels.

 

[nuxx]

I'd give away the damsels as well. Bad first fish to add due to aggression and being territorial.

Maybe look at Zebrasoma (Yellow, Purple) or Ctenochaetus Tangs (Chevron, Whitetail, Kole).

Little group of Anthias would add color and movement.

Reef or FOWLR?

 

[Ian14]

Going with reef. I would have never guessed the damsels to be aggressive as small as they are

 

[izzyish]

In my current tank, I started out with one blue damselfish (Chrysiptera cyanea). I was afraid that he would terrorize every addition in the tank. Luckily I have had no issues with him. He doesn't bother any of my bartletts, lyretails, black ice clowns, foxface, or yellow and regal tang. I don't know about two though!

As far as suggestions, think about adding a foxface...pretty hardy. If you have the money splurge for the magnificent foxface...awesome fish. They are reef safe as long as you keep them well fed. You could do some Anthias as suggested above. If you do Anthias and plan to add more start off with the least aggressive. I added lyretails first and had aggression issues when I added my bartletts.

 

[ca1ore]

Going with reef. I would have never guessed the damsels to be aggressive as small as they are

Again, depending upon which species they are, they don't stay small. For example, if they are yellowtails blue damsels, you'll be fine; if they are blue devils ...... not so much.

 

[nuxx]

Again, depending upon which species they are, they don't stay small. For example, if they are yellowtails blue damsels, you'll be fine; if they are blue devils ...... not so much.

Or Garibaldis

 

[ca1ore]

Or Garibaldis

Yeah, a while bunch of others too. Three line was PfP the meanest most aggressive fish I ever had.

 

[nuxx]

We double bag, then double bag, then double bag Garibaldis haha

They just thrash... crazy fish...

 

[Ian14]

Haven't added anything yet but just found a big outbreak of green hair algae. Any suggestions?

 

[Shawn O]

It'll go away with a little work. Use only RODI water and run a GFO reactor until it stays gone.

 

[nuxx]

Haven't added anything yet but just found a big outbreak of green hair algae. Any suggestions?

GFO, water changes, manually removal.

Killed all of ours with GFO and big water changes.

Have a tank full of dead hair algae gunk now... actually heading off to clean it off the rocks now

 

[Ian14]

Is it safe to use gfo or could it cause problems in the future?

 

[nuxx]

Is it safe to use gfo or could it cause problems in the future?

Shouldn't be any harm in using it.

Just use 1/2 the amount suggested by BRS calculator.

 

[Mcgeezer]

Stary blennies are a great addition. They are very active and quite comical, and they will also do a great job of cleaning up any algae as it comes about.

If you want fish that will have schooling type behavior along with very bright colors, Anthias are a very good choice. Just understand that Anthias require specific feeding of small planktonic foods/meaty offerings at least 2x daily.

Tangs are always a great option, just be mindful of your selections. I would probably not do more than two tangs in the tank total.

There are also numerous types of reef safe wrasses that will add vibrant color to the tank such as Feminus Wrasses or Flasher Wrasses.