Centerpiece for 100g Damsel Display

[chasekwe]

Hi folks,


I'm trying to make up my mind for a centerpiece fish for a 100g (42x30x18) damsel display tank with ~1/2" substrate.

The final planned stocking includes 8 different damsels and a GSM.


I'd like to have one final larger fish that meets the following parameters:

• Comfortable in a < 4ft tank.
• Can hold it's own in an aggressive environment.
• Isn't likely to kill the damsels.
• Is Zoanthid and SPS coral safe.
• Not blue, yellow, or black and white as these colors are already well represented.
• Big'ger' and show-y, a centerpiece fish.
• **Bonus** Won't eat cleaner shrimp and other inverts.

I appreciate any input. I've been trying to come up with a good fit for some time and am having difficulty.

I'd absolutely love a trigger but all of the smaller ones would be damsel eaters I think.



Thanks for your help!

 

[NewbyReefer]

Maybe a FoxFace, or a PopEye Solder. Solder will eat shrimp eventually.

 

[AMD30]

would a flame angel work?

 

[AlexS95]

My suggestion would be a Volitan, would get rid of your damsel problem pretty quickly.

 

[D5HP]

Pakistan Butterfly...but I'm not sure how well they are with the zoas.

Kole tang?

 

[NewbyReefer]

My suggestion would be a Volitan, would get rid of your damsel problem pretty quickly.

:lolspin:

 

[jarrod13]

Sounds like an awesome tank!! I love damsels too. If it were me and the tank was dedicated to damsels anyways I'd run the tank at a lower temp and have a Garibaldi damsel as my centerpiece, can't beat that beautiful orange!

 

[chasekwe]

Thanks for the input guys! In reply:

• A foxface is really pretty ideal, but I'd love something different than yellow, and rabbitfish just aren't my favorite anyways.
  
  
• Centropyge angels are also pretty ideal. I used to have a Potter's who was mesmerizing. He was successfully kept alongside Zoas and SPS for his lifetime. He wasn't mean but my starcki knew who was boss... and trust me, the starcki tried more than once to change that.
  
  I just wonder how well either a Potter's or Multibar (my 2 favorites) would do with the constant stress of multiple damsels vying for their throne. I guess it would have to be tested.
  
  
• I actually did consider a smaller lion species. I know some people keep them successfully with damsels but I just have to believe those are temporary situations and eventually the little guys would get eaten.
  
  
• I don't think butterflies will work. Most are not reef-safe and most are also timid enough that they wouldn't do well in that environment IMO. Something like a Chaetodon ephippium might work but I have to think he'd eat the corals.
  
  
• Smaller tangs are another fish I've considered. I'd really like to feed only pellets and flake though and I don't think a tang would thrive there. Also, most of the tangs suitable for a 42" tank aren't all that spectacular IMO.
  
  
• Now a Garibaldi is very interesting and I've considered that. It's really an excellent color (different from the rest) and maintains the whole damsel tank formula. That said, 2 damsels of equal size squaring off is one thing. A foot long damsel against a bunch of 3"ers might not work out the same. Running the tank cooler isn't ideal either.

Other thoughts I've had are possibly some smaller species of Thalassoma wrasse, a harlequin tusk, or maybe a larger Halichoeres species like the Richmond's if I can fit a little more sand in. Maybe a trigger species that has the potential to be more peaceful like a Niger or Xanthichthys. A smaller puffer, Canthigaster possibly. So many thoughts, nothing that feels just perfect unfortunately.

 

[SkullV]

Pinkface Wrasse would be PERFECT in your tank.

 

[Recty]

I think a rock beauty angelfish would be a great fish for that tank, the color isnt quite what you want but even if it has the same colors as some of the damsels, it's definitely a different fish with different attitude and shape.

 

[SkullV]

Pinkface Wrasse would be PERFECT in your tank.

On Divers Den right now!! I used to have one of these, SUPER active, doesn't back down to anyone, but also didnt harm anyone. Amazing fish.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden/ItemDisplay.cfm?c=2733+3&ddid=129811

Here was mine:

 

[phill21]

well lets go for orange and get a pair of maroon clowns, and maybe a cuban hogfish if u like them.

 

[Monkeyfish]

I think a rock beauty angelfish would be a great fish for that tank

Aren't these very difficult to care for, requiring a large amount of sponge in their diet?