Last fish addition - suggestions??

[driftin]

In about a month we'll be ready to make what will probably be our final addition to the tank. We're looking for suggestions!

Tank - 70 gallon mixed reef, primarly LPS. Even though it's 70 gallon, it's an odd shape - basically a cube. I think this rules out big swimmers, since longest side is 27".

Current livestock -

(2) Rod's clowns, young (one is probably 3/4" long max)
(2) Pajama Cardinals
(1) Starry blenny
Mix of cleanup crew, including small shrimp.

Very "community" tank.

We want something colorful, with personality. No wrasses (it took me forever to catch a 6-line that was harassing the clowns).

Any thoughts??

 

[steri]

How about not one, but 2 Purple Firefish? Very peaceful, full of color and personality. Very Reef safe. Awesome fish!

 

[jjjimmy]

How about a canary or Midas blennie?

 

[Illuminati]

Blackcap Basslett or a Yellow Assesor

 

[MSU Fan]

A bicolor blenny would work well, or the firefish mentioned above.

 

[driftin]

My only concern with the blenny's would be compatibility with the starry blenny we already have... the tank is short and squat, so to speak, and I am afraid of territoritarial fighting.

I saw on live aquaria that the yellow assessor needs to be fed twice a day, which would be a problem for us. We're trying to feed only every other day.

Black cap basslet and the firefish look promising... especially the firefish live aquaria lists for $170 EACH! The normally priced ones look good too.

 

[steri]

I don't know where you live, but most stores sell purple firefish for around $50, maybe $40 each if you can find a sale. Just an FYI.

Normal firefish are colorful too though, and are usually much cheaper, around $20-$25 each.

 

[lovereefs1]

Mandarin or a Leopard Wrasse.

 

[suliaman007]

reef depot has purple firefish for$20. he had a few last weekend, picked up one myself. they are nice but dont do much. they pretty much stay in one spot.
what about a pearly jaw, those are pretty cool.
you said you didnt want wrasses, because the six line was aggressive. six lines are known to be some what aggressive. you should look into a yellow coris or radient wrasse. they are very nice, peaceful fish which will eat most pests.

 

[cas]

Fairy Wrasse, they are not as aggresive and very colorful.

 

[Sullyman]

I 2nd the Black cap Basslet.

 

[driftin]

I'll have to look into the wrasses... would they be good with small shrimp, e.g. sexy shrimp? That would get me in BIG trouble!

That was the helfrichi they were selling for $170. After reading up on them more, I don't have the sandbed req'd for a firefish. Running BB!

Live Aquaria suggested lower lighting levels on the basslet... have you found that to be necessary? I'm not blasting the tank but have (2) 175-W halides over an area that's 27"x30". It's pretty bright. We'd like for this fish to not hide in the rockwork.

Any experiences with pseudochromis?

 

[Illuminati]

I had a Blue Line psudochromis, he was a rock dwelling shrimp killer (Took out several peppermint shrimps).

The Blackcap is also a rock dweller. Likes to hang around caves but is in the open more than most psuedo's. Peaceful with other non-basslett fish, doesn't get along with other bassletts/assesors due to their similar size and because they stay in the same part of the tank.

The light acclimation thing made me think twice about getting one as well, that could be why they prefer rockwork and caves more than most fish.

Eats anything you feed (pellets, mysis, rods, etc...).

Here's a picture of mine. Got it from saltwaterfish.com, came healthy and was a good price.

 

[saleenpwr88]

Flame Hawk, very colorful...Doesn't "swim" but does perch a lot and stares out the tank. It seems like he is always watching me. Not really compatible with shrimp though...but maybe since he would be introduced afterwards, you might be ok.

 

[JNye]

marine betta!

 

[pusanpa]

yellow wrasse!

 

[BlakDuc]

I agree that you shouldn't rule out all wrasses just because of the 6 line. They are for the most part not nice. My favorite fish is the Potters Angel. My female Potters is beautiful, has plenty of personality and has been a model member of the tank.

 

[driftin]

Hmmm some interesting things to think about. I mentioned the word wrasse last night and it almost ruined V-day heheh. That would be an up-hill battle

I'll do a little research on the angel. For some reason in the back of my head I had always given them a "No" for being reef-safe, must've read that somewhere back when I was starting out.

Illuminati, thanks for the pics. What kind of lighting do you have on your tank?

 

[Illuminati]

150W 14K over a 24g tank.

 

[driftin]

Still looking through options

Any feedback on Anthias, or keeping a group of Chromis (say, 2 or 3)?

I'm doing some initial research on LiveAquaria, some of the Anthias are listed as daily feedings, as often as 4x a day. Is that a good rule of thumb for the entire species? Do they do best in a species-specific tank?

edit - anyone keep a highfin perchlet?