Fish Recommendations

[DougSupreme]

I currently have a 44G pentagon tank setup bare bottom.The fishy inhabitants are the required pair of clowns and a silver dollar sized Yellow Tang. I'm wondering what other fish I could add to the tank that would be reef safe and won't grow too large for this tank (at least in the near future). I've considered wrasses, but not sure because I have an open top. I've considered Dwarf Angels, but I've heard about nipping problems. Dartfish are an option, as are Dragonets. I'd like to add a little color and movement to the tank, but not at the risk of having bad neighbors or property damage (coral nipping).

I'm open to ideas.

 

[Salty Brother]

I wouldnt recommend the dartfish because my brother had one and it sadly jumped out of the tank. I would reccomend a Royal Gramma, I love mine, amazing colors, and top he has a fun personality. Also wouldnt recommend a Mandarin with that small of tank espically if you dont have a fuge. Im getting a Flame Angel this weekend and putting it into QT, hopefully feeding him frozen food and other things will not make him a nipper.
Good Luck!

 

[Blazer88]

I've had a Coral Beauty in my 65 for about six months....I couldn't wait to sell it. It nipped at my softies, brain, SPS, and completely dominated the tank. It kept my clowns hiding in a corner and wouldn't let them near their anemone. It chased my Blenny around and killed two firefish. I would try and find something else other than a dwarf angle, but that is just me. Do you already have the YT in your tank? Most will say that tangs require a tank that is double your size, but again, that is an opinion. For a 44, considering you want clowns, I would get a cool shrimp goby (my avatar) as they are very entertaining to watch with a pistol shrimp. And then maybe another smaller fish like a Gramma or something.

 

[Fishfreak218]

well, i love my Clown Goby but thats not a very big fish... and wont add alot of Movement... how about a Yellowtail blue damsel (last fish in the tank) they are colorful and move alot.. or how about some kind of Blenny..

 

[DougSupreme]

bump

 

[SDguy]

A gramma (royal/black cap/brazilian) or one of the pseudochromis species (not the big mean ones of course). An anthia or two (lyretail/bartlett). Maybe a small wrasse (though they too can jump).

 

[gkarshens]

Do you plan on upgrading anytime soon? I am not the Tang police, but that is too small for a YT. Especially that shape. They need swimming room. They are also pooping machines! So you may already be at your bio limit. Not to totally rain on your parade, but I just got rid of my YT because he would try to kill any new fish I put in the tank. They get very territorial!

 

[laszlo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6579000#post6579000 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Blazer88
I would get a cool shrimp goby (my avatar) as they are very entertaining to watch with a pistol shrimp.

What kind of shrimp goby is that Blazer88? A Yasha Hase?

 

[Sullyman]

Wrasses are out, and any fish could jump.
I agree with a black cap basslet. A copperband butterfly would add color and are handy, you'll never have Aptasia.
And finally, you could get 3 or 4 Anthias, many colorful ones to choose from, but get all the same. You'd have a very colorful and peaceful group of fish.
These fish wouldn't outgrow your tank either.

 

[SDguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6589051#post6589051 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SDguy
A gramma (royal/black cap/brazilian) or one of the pseudochromis species (not the big mean ones of course). An anthia or two (lyretail/bartlett). Maybe a small wrasse (though they too can jump).

Yes, to clarify, I meant lyretail or bartlett...definitely go with one species

 

[DMK]

sixline wrasses, royal grammas, dispar anthias and leopard wrasses have not jumped IME. they're all cool fish. leopards should be in at least pairs, as well as the anthias.

 

[RichConley]

A copperband? These things get like 10 inches long... WAY TOO BIG.

Anthias, tank is too small for 3 or 4, one is borderline.

Black cap basslets are nice... that would work. Royal Gramma would work. Maybe a flame hawk? (theyre borderline reefsafe..may eat shrmp)

 

[Sullyman]

Rich, never seen a copperband that big, ever.
You think he can oly have 5 small five in his tank?
I totaly disagree with you.
DMK, leopards are hard to come by here, I've got 3, wouldn't advise them for a newer tank, can be picky eaters til they settle in. Doubt they'd find enough pods and things to eat.
Good luck Doug

 

[DougSupreme]

Actually, this tank is a temporary downgrade from a 120 that I had up and running in our last house. The LR, clowns, and some of the coral are simply transplants from the last tank. I had some chromis die due to the stress of moving. Just hoping to jazz this tank up a bit until I am able to upgrade when we find our "final" house. Probably about a 350g. Should solve any fish growth problems, huh?

 

[RichConley]

No, sullyman, I dont think he can only have 5 fish. Anthias are schooling fish, and in a 45, having a couple of them, the male will kill all the females.

10" CBB are rare, but there are plenty of 7-8" ones.

 

[Sullyman]

I have 3 females and for schooling fish, they pretty much just go about their own business.
A copperband will only grow as much as the space available to it allows,IME, and they aren't fast growing fish either.
Rich, the female anthias are much more available here, rare to see males.
I don't claim to be an expert, I just share my experiences, and after doing this 20 some years, I've experienced a lot, made plenty of mistakes, but learned from them and just try to help others avoid as many problems as I can.
Bob

 

[RichConley]

Bob, if I remember correctly with anthias, dont they change sex if theres no males? it'll be a while before thats an issue..

 

[Sullyman]

No sex changes with these fish, but I did find that they're a real mixed bag. Some are agressive with each other, some can be kept with one male and 8 or more females, obviouly in a larger tank. The 3 females I have are peaceful, but don't get in their way when it's time for food.
I guess anthias buyers better research the fish they may buy.
If you go with a Black Cap Basslet, put it in last.

 

[isom]

I hate to nag on you, but the folks are right, that tank is too small for a YT in the long run. It doesn't have enough room to swim and will eventually get stressed and get HLLE. Not to mention that it will boss everyone else around!

Anyway, IMO, there are some wrasses that are USUALLY ok even in a tank w/ no top. I have kept numerous 6-lines in such tanks. They're great fish... lots of personality, great color, ALWAYS moving, etc... To me they're a lot like a hummingbird!

Also, you could consider any of the gobies or blennies... these are interesting fish.

I would stay away from the angels if you're planning on keeping corals. Some are hit and miss, but there's nothing worse than watching a fish decimate a beautiful coral and not being able to do a damn thing about it cause you can't catch it!

good luck...