After a long period of contemplation, I've finally decided to go with a 73-gallon tank because I can't go larger than that in my apartment. It will be a reef tank with soft corals only, a tank least for some time. I am not willing to spend more on equipment to keep the higher maintenance stony corals, at least not for now. For the fish, I'm definitely adding a pair of Ocellaris Clowns (I will choose the common or the black variety depending on what's available). They'll be small, I'm looking at the 3-3.5cm range.
The leaves me with a dilemma as to what fish to include after the Clowns or maybe even before the pair. I will give a 2-week gap either way.
I'm putting a hold on Wrasses / Hogfish until I'm 100% sure my tank can be 100% covered (as of my decision 2 hours ago). I love them though.
I'd love a Dwarf Angel, it's a choice between the Coral Beauty or the African Flameback. I'm not sure if my tank size is too small for them to live comfortably and healthily, or that they're hardy enough for a new tank / in general. I also heard they're quite long-lived though I could be wrong. They'll go after the Clowns.
Maybe even a Bristletooth Tang (Tomini, Chevron etc.) as LiveAquaria says a 70-gal as the minimum tank size. But are they hardy and is my tank large enough for them to live comfortably? I do know that Tangs can live for very long. Since it's semi-aggressive it'll go after the Clowns.
A Golden Assessor. I don't know much about the hardiness of these fish, but I do know they cost quite a lot. The ones I can find in China are wild caught, not the ORA ones, some of them were put in captivity in HK before crossing the border to Guangzhou. This one I am considering having it go before the Clowns as it's supposed to be peaceful. I don't know about its lifespan but I assume it's quite long lived?
A Basslet. Both the Royal Gramma and the Swissguard are a bit pricey here. I like both but the Swissguard seems the more exotic one. I heard Basslets can also do at least 7-8 years with ease if well cared for, if not more. They also have a chance of going before my Clowns.
A Yellow Watchman Goby. I'll be pairing it with a shrimp. Not sure if they are jumpers, hope they're not too bad, but I have read several accounts of them living for 9+ years and being very hardy in general. The pair will go before my Clowns or after it, but have a chance of going before.
It'll be a totally new aquarium. If I am able to get a completely covered tank and choose to get a Wrasse / Hogfish, what are some easy and hardy species?
The leaves me with a dilemma as to what fish to include after the Clowns or maybe even before the pair. I will give a 2-week gap either way.
I'm putting a hold on Wrasses / Hogfish until I'm 100% sure my tank can be 100% covered (as of my decision 2 hours ago). I love them though.
I'd love a Dwarf Angel, it's a choice between the Coral Beauty or the African Flameback. I'm not sure if my tank size is too small for them to live comfortably and healthily, or that they're hardy enough for a new tank / in general. I also heard they're quite long-lived though I could be wrong. They'll go after the Clowns.
Maybe even a Bristletooth Tang (Tomini, Chevron etc.) as LiveAquaria says a 70-gal as the minimum tank size. But are they hardy and is my tank large enough for them to live comfortably? I do know that Tangs can live for very long. Since it's semi-aggressive it'll go after the Clowns.
A Golden Assessor. I don't know much about the hardiness of these fish, but I do know they cost quite a lot. The ones I can find in China are wild caught, not the ORA ones, some of them were put in captivity in HK before crossing the border to Guangzhou. This one I am considering having it go before the Clowns as it's supposed to be peaceful. I don't know about its lifespan but I assume it's quite long lived?
A Basslet. Both the Royal Gramma and the Swissguard are a bit pricey here. I like both but the Swissguard seems the more exotic one. I heard Basslets can also do at least 7-8 years with ease if well cared for, if not more. They also have a chance of going before my Clowns.
A Yellow Watchman Goby. I'll be pairing it with a shrimp. Not sure if they are jumpers, hope they're not too bad, but I have read several accounts of them living for 9+ years and being very hardy in general. The pair will go before my Clowns or after it, but have a chance of going before.
It'll be a totally new aquarium. If I am able to get a completely covered tank and choose to get a Wrasse / Hogfish, what are some easy and hardy species?
