Fish for my new 500 gallon reef?

[Wade2185]

I recently upgraded to a 500 gallon tank. The dims are 78 X 57 X 29. I want to put a large group of fish in this tank that will school together and or hang out together. I am thinking about 7 - 15 of one kind. Does anyone have any suggestions? I really like Anthias and Wrasses. What about a school of Squamp (spelling?) Anthias?

 

[snorvich]

Well if you like the behavior associated with anthias and wrasses (I do as well), how about a tank of fairy and flasher wrasses. This is NOT a cheap way to go but it is interesting and fabulously fun. Read the fairy wrasse thread then the flasher wrasse thread and join with us who have the addiction.

 

[Wade2185]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7523010#post7523010 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snorvich
Well if you like the behavior associated with anthias and wrasses (I do as well), how about a tank of fairy and flasher wrasses. This is NOT a cheap way to go but it is interesting and fabulously fun. Read the fairy wrasse thread then the flasher wrasse thread and join with us who have the addiction.

Thank you. Can you point me to these threads?

 

[fishermania]

Here you go.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=761763
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=463869

 

[fishermania]

Here are some coll fish that school very well.

http://www.petsolutions.com/Glass+Cardinalfish-I-114750L-I-C-16217-C-.aspx
http://www.petsolutions.com/Orange+Stripe+Cardinalfish-I-115000L-I-C-16217-C-.aspx

I also agree a harem of wrasses or Anthias are nice.

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

What about a nice harem of say royal grammas? I started with 5 in my 400 but am down to 3 now. One jumped and one died. But they do tend to hang together. Or some sunburst anthias would look cool. What about some of the smaller angels, like the swallow tails? They tend to hang together.

 

[Wade2185]

Hmmmm. Started reading the wrasse threads and already see 2 problems. 1 - I am going to have 2 carpet anemones with 2 different pairs of clowns in the tank. 2 - My tank will NOT be covered and wrasses are jumpers. I guess wrasses are out. Are there and Anthias threads that someone can point me to?

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

I've only lost a couple of wrases from jumping. Most of them are fine and they only seem to jump when scared. Since your tank will be 29" tall, it might not be that big of a problem. Mine is 36" tall and I have several wrasses in mine.

Then again, just about any fish will jump when scared, no matter what kind it is.

 

[Wade2185]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7524073#post7524073 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by blown63chevy
I've only lost a couple of wrases from jumping. Most of them are fine and they only seem to jump when scared. Since your tank will be 29" tall, it might not be that big of a problem. Mine is 36" tall and I have several wrasses in mine.

Then again, just about any fish will jump when scared, no matter what kind it is.

I do have 4 " euro bracing... What about the carpets?

 

[CeeGee]

the wrasses will jump. IME just about any fish is a jumper. Why not create a "grid" using fishing line to keep the fish in. It would still give you plenty of aeration.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Granted my fairy wrasse (solon - Cirrhilabrus solorensis) has only been in my tank for 2 months now, but (knock on wood) it has stayed clear of my carpet (haddoni).