I want a new fish!

[thebanker]

Hi everyone. I haven't spent a lot of time researching fish, not nearly as much as I research coral. So I'm new to this sub forum, so forgive me for being naive about some fish questions.

Getting to the point, I am finding myself wanting a new fish for my tank. I'm not sure of what to get, based on the size of my tank and the existing inhabitants. For starters, here's what I have

55G non-standard acrylic tank (it is not as tall as the average "petco" 55)

* 2 oscellaris clowns
* 2 scooter dragonets
* 1 royal gramma
* 1 peaceful blue devil damsel
* 1 matted filefish (doesn't nip at coral, but loves aiptasia or pellet)

The fish I want I can't, or shouldn't have. Based on the visual appeal of what I like, can you help me decide what to get? I want one of the following:

* yellow tang. But I don't have enough space, so that's out.
* bartlett's anthias. But you have to feed them more than I'm willing to.
* flame angel. Gorgeous but not quite reef safe. Plus I'm already pushing my luck with the docile filefish.
* Midas blenny. Might fight with scooters?
* six line wrasse. I've heard horror stories, so forget it.
* green chromis. Damsel style chain saw massacre. I don't want big time fighting in my tank.

Any ideas for me?

EDIT: Oh yeah, I have SPS, LPS, and soft coral. Duh! That would help.

 

[clayspst]

what about a wrasse (yellow coris, lepoard, flasher)

 

[rnscross]

long nose hawk or flame hawks are good, but they will eat ornimental shrimp if you have those.

 

[LisaD]

Honestly, I think you are pretty full up.

If you get another fish, I'd get a smallish one.

Midas blenny - doubt it will fight with the scooters
Six line wrasse - I know people hate them, but I had one that was very peaceful, never bothered other fish
A couple citrus gobies? not very active, but you can get bright yellow



Maybe a possum wrasse?

Watch out for your clowns, they can get very territorial, especially when spawning.

 

[thebanker]

It seems like my tank has a lot of fish, but when you look at it, it usually looks empty except for the two clowns and blue damsel. Everyone else is typically out of view. My rockwork is setup like 3 islands, and there is illuminated swimming / living space behind each island. The scooters go where they want, but are never in anyone's way.

I'm really leaning toward the midas blenny or the sixline then... I guess I need to make some decisions. What about a pair of Banggai Cardinals?

 

[Art VandeLay]

I would opt for the blenny if its down to a 6 line or the midas blenny. Most all of the blennies I have seen show lots of personality. I have had a couple of 6 lines over the years and while they are really a very beautiful fish they eventually get extremely aggresive to the point of being a real PITA. Best of luck in your choice......happy holidays

 

[thebanker]

Thanks Art Vandelay, I'm leaning toward the midas.

Great name BTW. "ANSWER THE PHONE VANDELAY INDUSTRIES!!!!" :lol:

 

[Fretfreak13]

Midas blenny! I can't see it fighting with the scooters. They're body shapes are very different, and the Midas will tend to stay in the rockwork while the scooters in the sand. Another reefer in my club has one and it is the most beautiful and personable little fish, I want one sooo bad but I can never seem to find one around where I live.

 

[pinnatus]

Mike -

Maybe consider a yellow longnose butterfly. Supposedly reef safe, bright yellow, and will swim around a good bit and always be visible. They have great personalities as well. Pretty hardy, for a butterfly anyway.

 

[snorvich]

Honestly, I think you are pretty full up.

If you get another fish, I'd get a smallish one. [EDITED]

Maybe a possum wrasse?

Watch out for your clowns, they can get very territorial, especially when spawning.

As Lisa said, you are pretty full up. But a possum wrasse would work well; they are, however, somewhat cryptic. And yes, those clownfish, once bonded and mating will get very territorial, especially in a smallish tank.

 

[thebanker]

Pinnatus - are yellow longnose butterflies corallivores by nature? I'm always hesitant to add another, since I have a filefish already. I think my luck with corallivores is already used up! I'll still check it out though.

snorvich - yes I realize that I have a couple fish, but they are all relatively small, and happy in the tank with the available territories. Possum wrasse is an idea. The clowns were a mated pair from day 1, and spawn every 3 months or so. They get a little territorial with the damsel, but other than that they're good citizens.

 

[pinnatus]

I don't think they are generally coralivores. Copperbands are pretty reef-safe, and I believe that Longnoses are as well. My understanding is there are 2 types, the ones with the longer nose are generally thought to be more reefsafe than the shorter nosed variety.

Disclaimer - reefsafe with any fish seems to be debatable, I had a Powder Blue tang that used to eat my leather corals.