Looking for humble suggestions

[MD Aquatic]

So I am finally preparing to stock my tank. All at once preferably. This is my first time stocking a smaller tank so Im a little lost on which way to go. This tank will definitely have a lot of purples and pinks with some green highlights. Its definitely ready for fish but Im really at a loss for what I can put in it as far as overstocking and compatibility. Ive only kept large FOWLR tanks.
The tank is a 45 JBJ and I'm very hands on with maintenance. I often have to slow myself down to keep from doing too much. There is a clown in there now and a lawnmower blenny that helped me out with an algae bloom. Both will be coming out although I've grown a little attached to the blenny. Keeping in mind that the wife and I have decided to put a lot of purple and blues in, Im having trouble coming up with a list, especially for the showpiece. I always like to have one fish a little larger than the rest to draw attention.
Here is what I'm thinking so far but I'm just not sure if this will work or not:

Blue Spot Jawfish (always wanted one)
Orchid Dottyback or a purple dottyback
clown goby (for contrast, plus they are just cool)
six line wrasse
purple firefish
Coral Beauty Angel

 

[Cosmojo]

I would ditch that angel, way too small, almost half the size of recommended.

 

[SoloChromis]

Blue Spot Jawfish (always wanted one) - Should be good (*if* you have some kind of sturdy cover over the tank)

Orchid Dottyback or a purple dottyback - Avoid the purple/strawberry dottyback at all costs, stick with the tank-bred orchids, you could even do a pair of them if you play your cards right

clown goby (for contrast, plus they are just cool) - Very underrated fish. Loads of personality and color, usually for no more than $10 :beer: (these can also be paired fairly easily)

six line wrasse - Most do become tyrants once they've established themselves, and I've heard of plenty that eventually scarf down any shrimp you attempt to keep

purple firefish - Perfect :spin1: There's also the helfrichi and the newly distinguished exquisite (Nemateleotris exquisita) as other less common options, keeping with the purple theme

Coral Beauty Angel - Should be good. They max out at 4" and will mainly weave in between rockwork nipping at algae. There's a very small chance they'll go after certain corals, but this species has a pretty good track record in reef tanks (acans, blastos, and zoas are most at risk)

... All in all I'd say you have a good stock-list for the 45g, good luck with everything :beer:

 

[AirForceAquariu]

Definitely ditch the angel.

Look into a chalk bass. Interesting fish with a violet iridescent shimmer.

Be aware that Blue Spot Jawfish come from the Sea of Cortz and need lower temperatures to survive and usually do not do well at the temperature of a reef. It is unfortunate but I have not heard of much long term success (>1 year) with these fish in reef aquariu.

 

[MD Aquatic]

thanks guys. Im definitely going to reconsider some things and its good to hear about the six line. I seem to be getting a lot of mixed opinions on the Coral beauty so I'm going to have to step back and think about this one some more and dig through the archives

 

[BrianD]

I disagree on adding either the blue spotted jawfish and the coral beauty.

The odds of the blue spot surviving are extremely poor at best. They have a very high mortality rate in home aquaria.

I would be concerned with the tank size for the coral beauty.

 

[BrianD]

Oh, and if you add the six line wrasse, say goodbye to any more peaceful fish (firefish, etc).

 

[JoeVandal49]

A pygmy or flameback angel might be a good alternative to the coral beauty.

 

[snorvich]

Oh, and if you add the six line wrasse, say goodbye to any more peaceful fish (firefish, etc).

I agree with this post and Brian's previous post:

I disagree on adding either the blue spotted jawfish and the coral beauty.

The odds of the blue spot surviving are extremely poor at best. They have a very high mortality rate in home aquaria.

I would be concerned with the tank size for the coral beauty.

And a pseudochromis other than P. fridmani will be very aggressive especially in a small tank. A Pygmy (Cherub) Angelfish (Centropyge argi) needs a larger tank and is on the aggressive side.

 

[running scott]

Snorvich, do you have any experience with the ORA captive bred Pseudochromis? I have been hearing that they are not nearly as aggressive. They are breeding, Orchids, Splendid, Neon,Sunrise, Springeri, as well as some hybrids they have come up with.

 

[snorvich]

Snorvich, do you have any experience with the ORA captive bred Pseudochromis? I have been hearing that they are not nearly as aggressive. They are breeding, Orchids, Splendid, Neon,Sunrise, Springeri, as well as some hybrids they have come up with.

they are less aggressive than wild caught (however less vibrant coloration). Some are still on the aggressive side although not as bad as wild caught. However very large tanks solve many problems.

 

[SoloChromis]

I agree with this post and Brian's previous post:



And a pseudochromis other than P. fridmani will be very aggressive especially in a small tank. A Pygmy (Cherub) Angelfish (Centropyge argi) needs a larger tank and is on the aggressive side.

The springeri & Sankey's (and all hybrids of these species) are also model citizens the majority of the time :beer:

 

[OrionN]

Orchid Dottyback are not aggressive at all. A great variety of good food will help this fish keep his vibrant purple color. Should be keep at least in pair. They are beautiful if you can keep the color vibrant. Too bad that I start to see deformities from inbreeding of this beautiful fish

 

[SoloChromis]

I really don't think a 45g would be considered *too* small for a cherub or flameback tbh. They don't get any bigger than a clown or most damsels, and more often than not prove to be very hardy. I'd say go for it if you really like the fish

 

[OrionN]

I thin a 40 gal breeder wold be OK to have a pair of Cherub or Flame back. I would avoid adding Sixline wrase. Flame back or Cherub angel instead of Coral Beauty. The other two species will be smaller. If you add the angesl then I would not add the fire fish

 

[MD Aquatic]

thanks guys, always appreciate the feedback. Im dwindling the list down but I'm not in a hurry. Im thinking like this as of right now.

Blue Spot Jawfish - Trying to obtain a pair of tessellated gobies as an alternative but will settle for a yellowhead
ORA Fridmani
clown goby (for contrast, plus they are just cool)
purple firefish
Im eliminating the angel and six line for now. Looking for another alternative.