Fish suggestions for 55 gal.?

[fishfan09]

I have been focusing on corals in my 55 gal. set up and now I would like to add some fish. Currently I have a True perc, and a coral beauty angelfish and I was looking for some suggestions. I would like to add one more good sized fish and pry three smaller ones... I like anthias and wrasse but not sure which will do ok in my size also would like a gobie of sorts but not sure which... I have had two engineer gobies in the past and liked them but would like something more colorful, but just as fun to watch.

 

[Briney Dave]

A 55 is not a lot of room for too many fish. I would vote against the anthias as they would do much better with more room to roam.

maybe a couple pj cardinals or something similar to that size.
a red lipped blemie is not the nicest looking fish but loads of personality and would be ok in a 55

briney

 

[A.VOID]

Royal Gramma is my #1 Recommendation!
Most med and smaller wrasse will be fine
Most anthias are not going to work, but you can do Dispar Anthias.

 

[Briney Dave]

as would a fire fish, lots of the small guys will work, just make sure they all get along. plus make sure that you don't over load your system.
I can not tell you how often someone visits my lab with algae trouble with the most common cause being that they have more bio load than filtering ability

 

[jakano]

Its hard to beat a blue damsel for beauty and activity. I know they have a bad reputation but they have always been great for me in my reef. I plan on getting several more here in the near future so I can have a nice bunch of active swimming pretty fish.

 

[fishfan09]

What about the purple queen anthias I,ve been looking and 45gal. is the min. recommended for em... that is the only anthias that I am interested in. If not I will pry go with 2 fire fish. Still looking for an active bottom fish that is good on the eyes as well any suggestions?

 

[Briney Dave]

maybe I am alone in thinking this way but I think anthias do better in a group and with room to roam and also hide. The less stress the better. I think you would be better served with the firefish or a number of other small fish options

 

[hollback]

I wouldn't recommend keeping anthias in anything smaller than a 100 gallon tank. Even a 75 would be pushing it. Go with the fire fish.

 

[ohiofry]

I would suggest something like a small wrasse.
Christmas Tree wrasse's a pretty and inexpensive.
Buy it small

I'd also recommend a midas blenny if you're looking for something fun to watch. My favorite personality of all fish.

 

[Briney Dave]

I had a great little McCaster's Wrase: made the great leap (bummer)
keep a lid on any tank with the wrases

 

[mrwilson]

Anthias in general would be a poor choice, in my opinion, for a 55, but the purple queen (tuka) anthias is pretty much always a poor choice, for almost everyone. I have looked in to that species for quite some time, because of their particular beauty, hoping for some sort of breakthrough, but it appears that only a few very dedicated hobbyists appear to have had much luck with them, if RC threads on the topic are any indication.

 

[fliynhi]

I'd cast a vote for a fridmani psuedochromis. Mine is almost always swimming in and out of the rock work. And very entertaing preparing his home every night. It's small so you could still add more fish without upping the bio load by too much.

 

[fishfan09]

thanks guys for all the replies I have some very good leads and now just need to narrow them down

 

[jiriki]

Jawfish are burrowers and if you like gobies, you can get one that pairs up with a pistol shrimp of some kind.

I like jawfish as much as gobies. Jawfish require so little space. I don't think my jawfish has ever seen the other 80% of my tank. He stays within 6 inches from his burrow. Mine piles pieces of rock around the hole to make a door.

Chromis would do okay in a 55g too. Peaceful and not aggressive at all. Fast swimmers. Not sure if you can get a school of them.

 

[Eggs]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14882128#post14882128 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mrwilson
Anthias in general would be a poor choice, in my opinion, for a 55, but the purple queen (tuka) anthias is pretty much always a poor choice, for almost everyone. I have looked in to that species for quite some time, because of their particular beauty, hoping for some sort of breakthrough, but it appears that only a few very dedicated hobbyists appear to have had much luck with them, if RC threads on the topic are any indication.

Heard, and read, the same thing on the purple queen. Sounds like one of those fish that is best kept in the ocean.