Ideal Fish to Add Movement/Activity to Smaller Reef

[medicreefer]

Hi all,

I'm a fairly experienced nano-reefer, though I've only ever kept Ocellaris clowns (a 9 year-old pair) and so,e yellow-head jawfish at one point. I'm setting up a new reef in a 55 gallon corner diamond, and I'm looking for an ideal fish to add some excitement/movement to the tank. The tank will have the usual small tank culprits (pair of clowns, firefish, goby, etc.). But many of the nano tank fish lack a lot of quick movement and excitement. So I'm looking for somewhat of a quick, constantly-moving fish that will be all over the tank and add some excitement. What are my options for a tank this size?

 

[nereefpat]

Flasher wrasse like a McCosker, yellow fin, carpenter's.

Small Halichoeres wrasse, like chrysus or biocellatus.

 

[drewe93]

Wrasses, flame angel or coral beauty.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

I agree with a wrasse. My melanurus wrasse used to swim constantly. You could set your clock to the time it went to bed and came out in the morning.

 

[nereefpat]

flame angel or coral beauty.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Not in a 55 corner, or even a standard 55.

 

[cody6766]

I like adding a chromis and a yellow-tailed damsel (1 each). They are active, pretty and cheap to boot. Don't try adding multiples. Even in a 120g, I had to remove all but one, as they will fight until there is only one left anyway. I also like having a wrasse in the tank, especially a fairy wrasse, because of their color and constant movement.

 

[drewe93]

Not in a 55 corner, or even a standard 55.

You're joking right? Angel police? It's a pygmy angel and would be fine in a 55, it'd be fine in something smaller as well.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[nereefpat]

You're joking right?

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Nope. LA for example says a 70 gallon minimum, and places that sell fish tend to underestimate.

There are a few smaller dwarf angels, like cherub and flameback. But the two you listed get a little big and aggressive. My opinion is that the standard 75-90 would be a minimum. I've seen a couple different folks here recommend bigger tanks yet.

 

[drewe93]

Nope. LA for example says a 70 gallon minimum, and places that sell fish tend to underestimate.

There are a few smaller dwarf angels, like cherub and flameback. But the two you listed get a little big and aggressive. My opinion is that the standard 75-90 would be a minimum. I've seen a couple different folks here recommend bigger tanks yet.

The flame gets to be around 4 inches. They're not like tangs that swim laps around the tank, though they do like room. I wouldn't put it in anything smaller than a 55, but I disagree with you that 55 is too small.

FWIW, I've never had aggression issues with a Flame, but I've always had them in 75+. The only issue I've had is them sometimes nipping at stony corals. Surprisingly he leaves softies alone.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[nereefpat]

To me, a 55 corner seems like it would have less footprint (swimming room) than a standard 55.

I wouldn't recommend it, but just my opinion.

 

[Cliving1]

Flame hawk, midas blenny, or possibly valentine puffer?

 

[jacksonpt]

Smaller wrasses are always good (mystery wrasse is one of my favorites)... candy hogfish is another.

 

[West1]

Midas Blenny, different clownfish variants, yellow wrasse, sixline wrasse (usually aggressive when 2"), melanurus wrasse, flasher wrasse, royal gramma (nice odd color),

 

[Uncle99]

1 anthia, the bright orange ones with blue eyes, fast and out all day.
But just 1.

 

[Fourstars]

I second the Anthias, My wife loves to point out my eighty dollar gold fish to friends. But I love him.

 

[manateemark]

Midas Blenny, different clownfish variants, yellow wrasse, sixline wrasse (usually aggressive when 2"), melanurus wrasse, flasher wrasse, royal gramma (nice odd color),

I personally have had aggression problems in my tanks before with 6 line wrasses and royal grammars. Both of they became aggressive with new tank inhabitants.

 

[West1]

I personally have had aggression problems in my tanks before with 6 line wrasses and royal grammars. Both of they became aggressive with new tank inhabitants.

I just picked up a juvi royal gramma, I hope hes not a beast plays nice