So what experiences have all of you had with small fish in a reef tank ??? I just like the small fish better. If I had a bigger tank, I would still have more small fish than large. I only have a 75 gal, and I'm looking for good, unusual suggestions. Think of adding a Scooter Dragonet / Court Jester Goby Maybe both ??? I have a ton o'pods !!! Which small fish, would you stay away from ?
Best Small Fish For Reeftanks ?
- Thread starter Curtis1
- Start date
Neon gobies are awesome little fish. I also love my green and red clown goby.
My longspine cardinalfish are awesome, but I only recommend them if you're running halides. They have an iridescent blue that I have only seen under halides. They're not super expensive, are schooling fish, and extremely docile. They're terrible shippers though. If you get them alive and eating within 24 hours, they can last years.
CoralsAddiction
Active member
Best Small Fish For Reeftanks ?
I'm the same way...with the exception of a flasher wrasse, all I have is "nano tank" sized fish in my 4ft 60 gallon. Mated snowflake clown pair, bonded Tanaka's Pygmy wrasse pair, firefish goby, one green Chromis and lawnmower blenny.
I'm the same way...with the exception of a flasher wrasse, all I have is "nano tank" sized fish in my 4ft 60 gallon. Mated snowflake clown pair, bonded Tanaka's Pygmy wrasse pair, firefish goby, one green Chromis and lawnmower blenny.
Well I tried a pr of neon gobies, they quickly developed a taste for my Duresa !!! Swam right down in the middle a take bites out of it. Swim off, come back 5 mins later, do it again ! I watched all of this for about a week, that was enough.Was glad to get them out. Johnike, do you have all 4 of those in the same tank peacefully ??? The three do not bother the CJ. I did not know you could keep more than one of those together, that looks so cool. Right now I have to catch a Blk & Wht Chromis out fast !!! He has claimed nearly half of my 75 gal. I'm getting ready to show him who the tank really belongs to. Is it just me, or have any of you ever began to despise a fish !!! This one fish has upset the complete harmony that I had in my tank. He was fine for 6 mos, then just snapped !!! I'm gonna snap him real quick, then get some nicer replacements. He is a pig !!! Literally !!! But, Johnike, I am really lovin' that trio !!!
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ahmed_iAM
New member
Have all smaller fish and one or two larger ones. This works best for me. Stay away from pod eating fish unless you'll buy pods, have a high/moderate nutrient tank that can sustain them or provide another food source. Clarkii, maroon, cinnamon clowns should be added last and I recommend against if you like passive fish. Cardinal a, blennies, firefish and royal grammas are all good. Chromis are nice as well but they need to be in groups of more than 5
CoralsAddiction
Active member
They are fine as singles too. I prefer to keep a single Chromis actually because that specific Chromis stands out more, has a nickname, more personable overall and allows for a larger biodiversity in a smaller tank. Not to say schools aren't nice but single Chromis works just fine too.
ahmed_iAM
New member
I have yet to be able to get them to survive in my tank at all. Along with angelfish, they're the only ones that I cannot keep. I dont know if they need something my tank doesn't provide. 120 mixed reef.
CoralsAddiction
Active member
Chromis can be challenging at first. Mine didn't eat much for an entire week and then finally started eating NLS pellets like a pig.
I bought 5 originally and one day after I put them in the tank one Chromis already had a big bite mark on its side. So I donated it to a fish store. Then I decided that I didn't want my tank to be dominated by $4 fish and returned all but one. At the time I only had a pair of clowns and 5 green Chromis. After I returned them I packed my tank with small fish and couldn't be happier.
CoralsAddiction
Active member
As far as angels I don't touch them anymore after I had one mysteriously introduce Ich after QT and kill my Lineatus fairy wrasse. Same with tangs. I don't even think about getting one...not even the smallest bristletooth tang. I am happy with wrasses, clowns, gobies, etc. lol
ahmed_iAM
New member
I'll try my luck with a chocolate dipped chromis
CoralsAddiction
Active member
Right now I have one Blue Green Chromis and One Blk & Wht Chromis. I have been researching,,, AFTER ,I bought the damn thing. Most people don't realize that there are about three different kinds of Blk & Wht. Apparently I didn't get the good one ! The one that I have has black 75% of body with small black beady eyes. There is another species that is 50%. I have also seen another one more like mine, that is not really black, more dk greyish, almost black, w/ bigger blue eyes. I did look around to try to find out what their temperament was,,, I should have known, anybody selling it would not tell the truth. I really get tired of the BS. So I do never again deal with anyone who lies to me one time. I too agree with you on the Tangs. I have a small YT, when it goes they are gone !!! I may even try to catch it out too. But this black pig has to go !!! Don't buy one, unless you are feeding your Trigger :O) My trap is way too big, I have too many corals and it will break them. I tried to catch him tonight with a #28 Fishhook. But my Wrasses come running and I have to pull it out before they get to it. I wouldn't hurt them for the world. They are my babies. They come up to my finger in the water and bump it with their nose !!! I am just really disgusted with this fish though. I'm gonna try to build a smaller trap with a 1 liter bottle, I don't know, any suggestions ???
