Inexpensive Fishes

[jeffltodd]

I moved my tank for a friend's house, which will be there for a few months. He isn't exactly jazzed that it only contains rock, hermits, snails and 1 shrimp.

He wants something more engaging to look at I suppose - which I am totally fine with, but I just haven't added any fish and wasn't going to do so until I got the tank back.

My question is - what are some decent, CHEAP, reef-safe fish?

At LFS I can get a Yellow Tang for around $10-15. I was planning to add one anyway.

Also at LFS, damsels (yellowtail damsels & 3-stripe damsels) are pretty cheap at around $3 each. How many of these can I keep in a 72 gallon?

My buddy likes to entertain and may start getting into the hobby via my tank!

 

[sunfish11]

I would add a few blue-green Chromis. They are damsels but are not aggressive like many of the damsels so could become long-term residents. They are reef safe and about 5$ each.

 

[papagimp]

well, the chromis are cheap definatly. But i wouldn't want em. Personal preference. Unfortunately, alot of the really "cheap" fish are going to get larger and meaner and not good fish IMO. Keep in mind that adding multiple damsels in a tank is most likely going to end up with alot of aggressive behavior and territorial disputes. If you just want something to add to curb his enthusiasm for the time being, than a damsel or two wouldn't hurt, but when you get the tank back, ya may have to find a home for them depending on what other fish you want later on.

 

[BeesGoneWild]

How about some gobies auch as clown gobies they vary in color so you have an assortment to choose from there also rather inexpensive. Firefish are also very nice, But my favorite fish that is always entertaining are blennies, they maybe a little more pricier but there worth it imho. Just do a little research as some spieces dont like to mingle with one another.

Btw i love my yellow watchman gobie hes like my little bull dog, he greets me every time a step in front of the tank. Qute little sucker.

 

[preculafreak06]

What about 2 clowns?

 

[Scuba_Steve]

chromis will school together. I would get like 5 of those, Or get a few damsels and watch the war

 

[jeffltodd]

I will want some B&W Percs later on down the road and will probably start a "fish only" tank for the other inhabitants that I no longer want or give them away.

For now, clowns are a bit costly. Again - I want cheap fish... just in case they do not survive the move later on down the road, per my initial post.

 

[iggyman1971]

Anthias are cool laidback fish with great color.

 

[Joshua1023]

I agree w/ the school of Chromis.

 

[Shagsbeard]

Tell your friend to read up on proper quarentine and then ask him if he really wants a fish.

 

[SaltyMember]

My vote goes to a pair of clowns. Relatively inexpensive, colorful, active, and hardy.

 

[mitchellmoto]

I say chromis blue or green or both just make sure to add them together every time I try to add just a few to a few existing they never seem to school as much.. I have 12 in a 180 along with other fish they are not agressive and it looks very natural how they school. They are very small and I may have to remove some later but they all come right to the top of the water when I feed so removing them with the lure of food shouldn't be a problem They stay together and fight to stay in the current. Very entertaining.

 

[Lacy]

Inexpensive Fishes

I agree with the others about the chromis. Also, if the tank goes thru any cycling when it is moved again, they will be able to survive it. If your friend gets a tank, then he can use the chromis to cycle his!!
Renee