Mid-water active fish

[NatureNerd]

Need a recommendation. I want to add a mid-water active/peaceful fish . My tank is a 75g - 48" mixed reef with mostly SPS's. It's an old tank (>15 yrs). Over a year ago, it crashed because of my error. Perhaps I needed to be humbled. Survivors are:

15 yr old pair of false perc's
tailspot blenny
purple firefish

I want something that is visible, swims in the middle of the water column, is pretty/interesting looking, and not super costly.

Possibilities I thought of:

1) three/four threadfin cardinals
2) Small BT tang (doesn't seem like a big enough tank)
3) Small Anthia?
4) Are there really any "reef-safe" small angels or butterflies?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[snorvich]

Well I love resplendent anthias but they require multiple feedings per day. If that is not a problem, I can heartily recommend them.

 

[Monkeyfish]

Bodianus bimaculatus - pretty active fish
PJ cardinals - tend to hover in one spot, but will hang out together
"red stoplight cardinal" - a more colorful cousin to the bluish threadfins

 

[NatureNerd]

Thanks, nice suggestions so far. For Anthias, the multiple feedings per day may be a problem. I will have to think about that as I work long hours and tend to feed once per night.

The stoplight cardinals is a very interesting idea. I did not know that they "group". I will read-up about them.

I also like the Bodianus bimaculatus idea. I did not know these were the most peaceful of their type. Certainly nice looking. Do they spend their day cruising the bottom or hiding in the rocks? Are they pod eaters? My tank's production of pods is good for a 75g without a refugium, but not super.

 

[Bret61081]

How about a fairy wrasse. I love my Solorensis. Always out swimming around and great color

 

[AfricaOffroad]

Pyramid Butterfly?
Bellus Angel?

 

[NatureNerd]

Thanks. Great suggestions. I love Bellus Angels but thought a 75 was too small for them. I am not a fan of Pyramid BF's.

Lead contenders: fairy wrasse, Bellus, b. bimaculatus, or small group of cardinals

 

[AuroraDrvr]

Small anthias trio/group IMHO would be great for this. A 75g is definitely too small for a Bellus.

 

[Ryan-UF]

Lots of different peaceful wrasse out there. I'm a fan of leopards.