Colorful reef safe free swimming fish?

Jim96SC2

New member
Looking for a <4" colorful free simming fish that has a peaceful temperment that would thrive in a 58RR (36x18x21). Prefer no pod-eaters since a mandarin is goal #1 in the tank, but light pod-eaters will be acceptable. I want a McCoskers but damn if they aren't hard to find. Best I've seen in a Filmented Fairy Wrasse but I wasn't too keen on its coloration.
 
Midas get too big. Just looking for the McCoskers and that'll be the only wrass. A lot of the Anthias that are generalized as "peaceful" are just a variation of red/orange. The Evansi's are nice, but their care might be a step over what I can cover just this moment.
 
Clowns, cardinals, anthias, chromis, gobies, blennies. I have the best success sticking to these.

I would not get any wrasse if you want to keep a mandarin.
 
What fish do you have and what do you plan to add besides the mandarin and McCoskers?

I have an Ocelleris Clown, Jester Goby, Purple Firefish, Fire Shrimp, Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, and the green (yet un-ID'd) "tentacle of doom".

Only thing on the list to get right now is a Tail Spot Blenny and the Mandarin.

what about reading the entire first post.

have you thought about any dwarf angels?

~Will.

Thought about a flame, just not sure since I want an SPS dominant tank and nipping would **** me off.
 
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An SPS dominant tank would be ideal to try a dwarf angel, besides a softy reef.

I would say dwarf angel (smaller one or pair of a smaller species would be best), anthias (again one of the smaller species and I would keep at least two), or some of the wrasses.
 
An SPS dominant tank would be ideal to try a dwarf angel, besides a softy reef.

I would say dwarf angel (smaller one or pair of a smaller species would be best), anthias (again one of the smaller species and I would keep at least two), or some of the wrasses.

Keep in mind I only have a 58br (36x18), so its pretty much flame angel or coral beauty. My issue would be aggression from the fish.
 
I wasn't saying add all those, those were just choices. And there are smaller angels than the flame and coral beauty.... argi, both flamebacks, fishers, and C. flavicauda are all smaller and very sharp looking fish.
 
I realized that, but don't angels get territorial later in life?

I looked through and I liked the multicolor and the flameback though. I'll check with the LFS' for availibility. Should they be added last to a peaceful tank setup?
 
I have a potters angel in my 40breeder, and its a full mixed reef. Keep em well fed and get it really small and it shouldnt have developed a taste for corals yet. Of course theres always a chance.
 
I highly doubt there would be any problems with the angel with your current list and planned additions. Sounds like you have a pretty nice tank. I like your fish list, but what is a tentacle of doom that makes me nervous?

Although the more peaceful would be the multicolor. And it would probably be ideal to add the angel last.
 
I highly doubt there would be any problems with the angel with your current list and planned additions. Sounds like you have a pretty nice tank. I like your fish list, but what is a tentacle of doom that makes me nervous?

Although the more peaceful would be the multicolor. And it would probably be ideal to add the angel last.

"Tentaacle of Doom" (tm) is some sort of green spaghetti thickness 3-4" thing that pops out of the LR on occaision. No idea where he came from or what he is, just creepy as hell.


I'll see about the multicolor if thats considered the most peaceful on the list. Trying to keep stocking down to multiple smaller fish rather then just a few bigger ones.
 
If you do go with the multicolor you will be happy, they are stunning fish. Plus it is a blue and yellow fish, colors you won't have much of in your tank.
 
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