Need help choosing a fish for 25 gallon

[Neowind]

Hey guys I am having a hard time deciding on a new fish for my IM 25 Lagoon reef tank. My wife and daughter are asking me to get a colorful fish that swims around a lot. So I have been searching around and not many fish meet that criteria that will fit into a 25 gallon aquarium. So I was hoping someone could help me out. Here is what I am looking for:

* Colorful fish (pink or purple would be nice)
* Swims around and doesn't hide to much
* Will live in a 25 gallon aquarium
* Low likelihood of jumping as I do not run a cover

Currently I have a Starry Blenny and two tiny green banded gobies in the tank. Hoping someone can suggest something that fits these criteria, although something may not exist. I thought Royal Gramma would be the answer but I have been reading that they hide constantly. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Ross33]

I have a royal gramma and hes always out. Cool dude. Also a purple pseudochroms would be cool and they are brighter than a royal gramma. Can be aggressive though.

 

[b_x_two]

Firefish or maybe a Dwarf Angel such as a Coral Beauty or Flame Angel. A pair of Percula are always a win.

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[sde1500]

Took a few days, but my purple fire fish is out and about constantly now. Swims all around the tank, and is very brightly colored.

I wouldn't do dwarf angels, tank is too small for them.

Royal grammas always seem to be a hit, but can hide a lot. Pygmy wrasses are pretty cool too. Depending on how many fish you plan, a damsel could be an option. They are aggressive, but very colorful.

 

[bjolly]

how about an orchid dottyback? yellowtail damsel is also an option, much milder mannered than most damsels and very colorful.

 

[Dmorty217]

A flame angel in a 25g is a bad idea, really any dwarf angel. Royal Gramma will need to be the last in. A pair of clowns would work but will be very territorial in a 25g

 

[JammyBirch]

i have a 25g tank too...

My top fish is the Pygmy Cherub Dwarf Angel...great great fish...does exactly what you want...swims and goofs off all day long.

Look at the Potters Dwarf, very similar fish but drastically different colors.

I also have 2 Percula Clowns that do the same thing, bright orange and always goofing off.

Last fish i have is a Royal Gramma, very skidish at first but beautiful colors and hangs out enough to be considered but the shy guy in my tank. The only complaint i have with the Gramma is, it is getting big i have been talking to my wife, her fish, about pulling it.

 

[Neowind]

i have a 25g tank too...

My top fish is the Pygmy Cherub Dwarf Angel...great great fish...does exactly what you want...swims and goofs off all day long.

Look at the Potters Dwarf, very similar fish but drastically different colors.

I also have 2 Percula Clowns that do the same thing, bright orange and always goofing off.

Last fish i have is a Royal Gramma, very skidish at first but beautiful colors and hangs out enough to be considered but the shy guy in my tank. The only complaint i have with the Gramma is, it is getting big i have been talking to my wife, her fish, about pulling it.

There is a Tiny Pygmy Cherub Angel at my LFS that I really want, but everything I read is that it will nip at LPS coral. I have mostly LPS coral so I didn't get him. But he was really awesome and perfect. What is your experience.

 

[postshawn]

My clown pair are always out and about in my 12g cube tank. It's just a temporary tank while transitioning from one bigger tank to another. They were usually out and about in my bigger tank too. Mine do host at a certain mushroom though instead of an anemone since I don't have one of them. My mushroom is sort of front and center so that may be why I see them often. But they are out most times. My 18 month old boy loves to watch them too. Not sure if they are big jumpers as I keep a top on my tank.

They are usually friendly to other fish and will only chase fish away from a spot they host at. They might nip at your hand if it goes in the tank but it's not a big deal.

I had dwarf angels and they are good but really for a slightly bigger tank I had one in a 20g and it was finicky. They would get diseases and fight, etc. But when in my 70g they were doing just fine. If you did want an angel I'd stick with the Pygmy Cherub Dwarf Angel. I personally wouldn't bother with the angel fish in that tank.

Good luck.

 

[Neowind]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I went with a Royal Gramma and a Banghai Cardinal. Both seem to be doing good with only a few issues between the Starry Blenny and Gramma so far.

 

[JammyBirch]

There is a Tiny Pygmy Cherub Angel at my LFS that I really want, but everything I read is that it will nip at LPS coral. I have mostly LPS coral so I didn't get him. But he was really awesome and perfect. What is your experience.

My experience is that it is a model citizen, i have an SPS dominant tank but have a hammer, torch, brain maze, zoas and candy cane...he doesn't mess with any of it. I keep the tank well fed, manage the alkalinity and hope for the best.

I have a Royal Gramma too and added the angel last to keep the gramma in check, they can be ver aggresive...the angel is very tough and doesn't take any crap though. Worked great.

Ps. I am starting to think that alkalinity levels directly affect the behavior of the fish...to low and they seem to be irritated...anyway i can't proove it i've just noticed it.