Fish for a 65

topjimmy

topjimmy

Member
Greetings all,

I have a standard 65 gallon tank. Current inhabitants are a pair of true percs, and about 5-6 green bubble tips (they just keep reproducing). Corals are a mix of LPS and SPS.

I need some action in the tank, the clowns don't stray from their anemones, and while they are nice to look at I would like a little more.

What would you all suggest?

Wrasses? Cardinals? What do you think the max amount and fish length (per fish ) I should look for?
 
Whilst I do like Banggai Cardinals they do tend to fill that same sort of slot as the clowns, not moving around the tank too much and just filling space more or less. Wrasses are a different story though. They are very active, and will definitely make the tank look more lively. I would personally just look through all the fairy, flashers, and leopard wrasses online and find which ones you like best(there are quite a few species to choose from). I personally would choose ones that stayed on the smaller side of around 4 inches just due to tank size, but you could probably get away with two different wrasses if you introduced them properly. As for how many fish your tank should have I personally wouldn't do more than around 5, but that's just my opinion.
 
I agree with looking at wrasses, I have a 63 (footprint 30x27) and have a carpenter's flasher with my clown pair. He is always out and about and I have notice the femaile clown moves around the tank more since I introduced the wrasse. Warning though the tank must be covered, wrasses jump!
 
topjimmy said:
Do you think a one spot foxfish would be to big? I need that "show" fish if you know what I mean.
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Yes a foxface would get too big, and they grow pretty darn quick so I'd pass on that particular fish. As for a "large" show fish why not look into a dwarf angel like a flame. Although they may not be entirely reef safe, so there's fair warning to research them before you buy.
 
Wrasses are easily my favorite fish. I have 4 in my 65. There are some really cool fairy and flasher wrasses, just be careful as the aggression level changes with the species.
 
If you want to put a small Foxface in your 65 gallon then do it. A full grown foxface will be too large for your tank. There is absolutely no reason to me why you cannot find a _small_ Foxface and house him happily in your aquarium.

There is going to be a point where the fish will get too large and you will need to make the decision to trade him to someone with an adequate tank or give him to your favorite LFS for a small store credit.

If you do not want to go through this trouble, then I wouldn't select that fish for the aquarium like others have said.

Wrasses are nice because they are extremely colorful and stay small and you could house a small group in the aquarium.

A blenny has alot of personality and most people find them very enjoyable to watch. This is also another good choice.

I find that sand sifting gobies are always extremely fun to watch because they stay busy all day long just playing in your sandbed which is also nice because they keep the sandbed turned over.

I'll add on to this. Doing a search for tank size requirements for a One-Spot Foxface is showing me a min tank size of 70 gallons and you can purchase these fish as small as 1 1/2-2". I don't see a problem here.
 
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Well I would like to have that one "large" (obviously only one suited to tank size) fish. I have also considered a Tomini, or a Kole.
 
Even though they are smaller tangs, they will still get pretty big for your tank. I've seen an 7" kole tang in person, and thought it would look ridiculous in my tank.

If you are determined to get a tang, I would go with the tomini over the kole as they are just a tad bit smaller. IMHO I wouldn't recommend either.

Wrasses in the halichoerus genus would be a good choice if you would like something a little larger, active, and colorful.

The melanurus wrasse (aka hoeven's wrasse) is one of my favorite fishes.
 
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No tangs or foxface for that size tank. Wrasse and dwarf Angel are good suggestions. And for the record, I believe Tominis get larger than Koles. Good luck.
 
Ngoodermuth said:
Even though they are smaller tangs, they will still get pretty big for your tank. I've seen an 7" kole tang in person, and thought it would look ridiculous in my tank.

If you are determined to get a tang, I would go with the tomini over the kole as they are just a tad bit smaller. IMHO I wouldn't recommend either.

Wrasses in the halichoerus genus would be a good choice if you would like something a little larger, active, and colorful.

The melanurus wrasse (aka hoeven's wrasse) is one of my favorite fishes.
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I think it would take an extremely long time for a Kole to get to 7" if it were bought as a very small juvenile fish. You could enjoy the fish for a long time and then trade it in when it got too large.

If you want nice looking fish that are very active the wrasses are the way to go. I also like anthias but they require more frequent feeding.
 
small alien said:
No tangs or foxface for that size tank. Wrasse and dwarf Angel are good suggestions. And for the record, I believe Tominis get larger than Koles. Good luck.
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LA lists Tomini at 6" and Kole at 7".

I've never seen an established Tomini so I can't say for sure, but the Kole definitely gets to 7"!
 
eg8r210 said:
I think it would take an extremely long time for a Kole to get to 7" if it were bought as a very small juvenile fish. You could enjoy the fish for a long time and then trade it in when it got too large.

If you want nice looking fish that are very active the wrasses are the way to go. I also like anthias but they require more frequent feeding.
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Anthias are known to pick each other off in smaller tanks, which I've experienced first-hand. Most species are recommended for 125g or more if you are going to have a group. Of course a single male would be fine.

I've heard dispars can be less belligerent, but after a bad experience with lyretails I personally decided not to risk it.
 
Ngoodermuth said:
Anthias are known to pick each other off in smaller tanks, which I've experienced first-hand. Most species are recommended for 125g or more if you are going to have a group. Of course a single male would be fine.

I've heard dispars can be less belligerent, but after a bad experience with lyretails I personally decided not to risk it.
Click to expand...

-1 on Dispars in a smaller tank from personal experience. 2 males will still go at it.
 
DopeCantWin said:
-1 on Dispars in a smaller tank from personal experience. 2 males will still go at it.
Click to expand...

Ha, glad I made the right decision then! I almost bought a group of 4 before deciding on wrasses instead.

My fear (and perhaps common sense) got the best of me. Bullet dodged!
 
So wrasses it is. I will have to study up on how well they get together. I would go one at a time. Any suggestions for a nice combination?
 
Having the same discussion with myself for my 75. I'm thinking about wrasses as well but I don't really want to cover my tank. Tagging along.
 
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