centerpiece fish for a 40 regular?

[fishfanv]

i am in the process of tearing down my tiny 5.5 & setting up my 40 regular. it's going to have mh for the derasa clam that's in the 5.5 & probably another clam, a maxima. i also plan on lps, softies and probably 1 or 2 sps - pocilloporas.

i don't want the usual clowns & gobies. something a little more out of the ordinary if possible.

i was thinking a dwarf angel other than a coral beauty (already have 1 in the 30). maybe an anthias? are there any small enough for a 40? maybe some type of wrasse that isn't too expensive?

thanks in advance.

 

[TheGrimmReefer]

I don't think there are any anthias that would work in a tank that size (at least I can't think of any if there are), but dwarf angels are great centerpieces for smaller tanks. However, they are very unpredictable when it comes to reef compatibility. General rule is to assume they will eventually pick on your corals so plan accordingly.

A fairy wrasse would probably work well, but make sure your tank is covered because they are known jumpers.

 

[Mariner]

I've got a flameback/fireball dwarf angel in my 40g SPS tank, and he's a model citizen. But, I don't have a clam in there, and they do have a reputation for picking at clams occasionally.
The other fish in that tank are a chalk bass, a chromis and a 'possum wrasse. The wrasse and the bass are not all that common, but are beautiful and relatively inexpensive.
FWIW,
Mariner

 

[Long Time Beginner]

I have an Eibli Angel in my 54g. It's a beautiful fish, most of the pictures I've seen online don't do it justice at all. Mine hasn't touched any corals. You don't seem them nearly as often as Coral Beauties or Flames either.

 

[luvtolean]

Flame angel would be a great centerpiece fish in a 40.

 

[fishfanv]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6867993#post6867993 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mariner
I've got a flameback/fireball dwarf angel in my 40g SPS tank, and he's a model citizen. But, I don't have a clam in there, and they do have a reputation for picking at clams occasionally.
The other fish in that tank are a chalk bass, a chromis and a 'possum wrasse. The wrasse and the bass are not all that common, but are beautiful and relatively inexpensive.
FWIW,
Mariner

i read that flamebacks are pretty good reef citizens but definitely don't want it to nip my clam. i could try one & see if it works. are they hard to get out of the tank, do you know?

i saw a chalk bass the other day & think it's cool looking. i'll definitely be getting one once the tank is ready for inhabitants. thanks for the recommendations.

 

[fishfanv]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6872139#post6872139 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by luvtolean
Flame angel would be a great centerpiece fish in a 40.

do you know how they are with clams?

 

[fishfanv]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6871247#post6871247 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Long Time Beginner
I have an Eibli Angel in my 54g. It's a beautiful fish, most of the pictures I've seen online don't do it justice at all. Mine hasn't touched any corals. You don't seem them nearly as often as Coral Beauties or Flames either.

i don't think i've ever seen one at a lfs near me. do you know how good they are with clams?

 

[TheGrimmReefer]

Most angels will be unreliable with clams, and sessile invertebrates in general ( it seems to be 50/50 when it comes to a lot of the dwarf angels, but obviously those are not great odds). And yes they (small angels) will be difficult to get out of the tank if they do become a problem. To be honest though, I'm not that familiar with the Eibli, so I can't really comment on them.

 

[luvtolean]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6873987#post6873987 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishfanv
do you know how they are with clams?

I've had two different pygmies and a flame with clams. None ever bothered it.

I had a small pygmy in a 7 gallon that after about a year of being a good citizen, ate a bunch of zoos.

In my 75 I've had plenty of stuff in there that angels could eat, that they have never bothered.

Pygmies have a more frenetic disposition (they're constantly everywhere in my tanks) than the flames, but they're not as flashy.

Flame angels have stunning color, especially when fed a good diet and under good lighting, they glow.

 

[Bax]

As said above all samll angels are hit or miss, except the Argis (Cherubs), a herem of these would be real cool maybe with a couple of chlck bass... that said, my coral beauty is a modle reef citizen an absolutely beautiful!

 

[fishfanv]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6875110#post6875110 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bax
As said above all samll angels are hit or miss, except the Argis (Cherubs), a herem of these would be real cool maybe with a couple of chlck bass... that said, my coral beauty is a modle reef citizen an absolutely beautiful!

a harem? as in 1 male & a few females? how would i know which was which when buying them in the store? i have seen an argi at a lfs. but not more than 1 at a time.

my coral beauty in the 30 is a perfect citizen, too, but there isn't a clam in that tank.

 

[moflow]

I'm pretty sure that all Centropyge are protogynous hermaphrodites (born female) so getting one large and the rest small should ensure only 1 male. I don't know if the females will fight though; I've never kept C. argi.