Acceptable "show" fish for 65G suggestions

Blazer88

Blazer88

Premium Member
I have a 65G and am looking for my last fish. The tank inhabitants now include:
-Bicolor Blenny
-Pair of baby false percs
-Pair of firefish
-Yasha shrimp goby

Here is what I have had in the past and won't try again. I had a dwarf Angel (Coral Beauty) who was a complete terror, I don't think I can put up with another Angel. I also had a Kole Tang for well over a year who got ich after I added the firefish. I don't think my tank is large enough for a tang. I also had a Copperband Butterfly. He was a great fish for about nine months until he suddenly stopped eating and died.

So what can I look at to add? Tangs, Angels, and Butterflys are basically out. I'm looking to hear some suggestions. Wrasses would be cool but I only have like a 1/2" sandbed, so I'm not sure which ones would work. Thanks.
 
Bangaii cardinal fish are a nice fish. 6 line wrasse are a good fish, and after doing a bit of research on them i have found out that they serve a good servie to the aquarium, especially if you have "ich" in a tank as it will clean the fish and will also eat bristleworms which are very nasty. They get to about 3 "
 
Marine bettas are pretty cool. Maybe a single anthias..one of the larger ones..bimac, squarespot, male lyretail. A nice wrasse maybe...fairy, or otherwise. A smaller swallowtail angel. Just some suggestions...
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8276678#post8276678 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Miggy
Marine bettas are pretty stunning fish.....just the price tag i dont like with them.
Click to expand...

:confused: They're not expensive, relative to other fish. Not the temperate blue devil kind from downunder (Paraplesiops poweri), the regular marine betta (Calloplesiops altivelis).
 
The Marine Betta is a cool looking fish, but I thought they could eat smaller fish (which is all I have) since they are a part of the grouper family. The sixline would be cool, they seem to be a popular choice. Maybe I'll just get a Sixline and maybe a Royal Gramma and call it good. It kind of sucks there isn't any Tang or Angel that is suitable for a tank of my size.
 
I recently added a sixline to my 24g. He is a great fish with good personality and has not shown any agression as of yet. I've heard stories of sixlines being terrors, but my friend has had one in his 75g mixed reef for over a year with no agression. I think they, like alot of fish, are hit or miss.

About a sixline being a "show" fish, I don't think is a good choice. They're fun to watch, but they spend alot of time around or in the rockwork. I often don't see mine in a 24, a 65 would only give him more places to explore. Don't get me wrong, I think they're wonderful fish, but I don't think they'd make a good "show" fish in a tank of your size.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8277446#post8277446 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Blazer88
It kind of sucks there isn't any Tang or Angel that is suitable for a tank of my size.
Click to expand...
Sure there is...female Bellus angel, a looker & reefsafe.:cool:
 
Are most of the Genicanthus species suitable for my tank? The Lamarks and Swallowtail look pretty cool and seem to be priced decently.
 
How about a rabbitfish? I also went through the search for a show fish. Try these:
Siganus doliatus (Scribbled Rabbitfish)
Siganus magnificus (Magnificent Rabbitfish)
Siganus vulpinis (Foxface Lo)

I picked the Foxface even though is the shyer of the bunch. They are readily available and a lot cheaper. I picked mine up for $20.
The only other fish I would consider is a single Anthias, but I heard too many problems with feeding and keeping them alive.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8280623#post8280623 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Blazer88
Are most of the Genicanthus species suitable for my tank? The Lamarks and Swallowtail look pretty cool and seem to be priced decently.
Click to expand...
Yes, and also watanabei. I would only go with a female of one of these, the males are much larger and harder to care for.
 
I vote for a Flasher wrasse. Any of the genus Paracheilinus will be reef safe and do not require a sandbed. The Fairy wrasse are equally spectacular, but as you mention, some species require a sandbed. Just make sure you have a tight fitting canopy because wrasses are jumpers.
I would not rule out Fairy Wrasses and Lined Wrasses. Just do your research thoroughly before buying.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8281101#post8281101 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by waterfaller1
Yes, and also watanabei. I would only go with a female of one of these, the males are much larger and harder to care for.
Click to expand...

That's a shame the males are larger. I found a female Swallowtail at my LFS for $30 which looked cool. The males (commonly called Zebra from what I found) are beautiful but I read they get closer to 8" where as the females stay around 5".
 
My LFS also has these, and yes, there too the male was pretty darn big, while the female wasn't more than 4". I personally like the golden top to the female better anyway :)
 
I went back today and found a very cute little blue-eyed striped tang that I took home. He looks just like a Kole but with blue eyes. I know a 65G isn't ideal for this fish, but I'm sure he'll be fine for about six months (he is barely 2" now) until I upgrade to a 120 which I'm planning now. I'm happy I have a very understanding wife :) It just cost me a new kitchen, hardwood floors, and a couch, lol.
 
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