Need Help with Fish Selection

Patrick Cox

Active member
I have a 2 year old mixed hard coral reef and my nutrient levels are too low so I am looking into adding a few more fish.

Here are what I believe to be the important details of my tank...

100G
48" L x24" W x20" H
2 MP40s running at about 60% Reef Crest
ATI 8x54 T5 fixture
Good Skimmer in the sump

PH 7.9-8.3
78 degrees
1.025 Salinity

Bare Bottom
~65 lbs of Tampa Bay Live Rock
Mostly SPS with a few LPS and one Clam (see picture)
20-30 small snails for CUC along with 2 small urchins

Current Fish:
-One Spot Fox Face
-Kole Tang
-Clownfish Pair
-Yellow Assessor
-Possum Wrasse

What I am looking for in fish:
-Fairly low maintenance in terms of feeding. (So no Anthias for example)
-Stay away from fish that are likely to nip at my clam
-Fish that will easily integrate with my current fish.

I was thinking about 3-5 Blue Green Chromis but I am worried they won't last. If not, maybe some other small schooling fish? I like the idea of adding several of one more breed, rather than adding several more different fish.

Today I mainly feed Spirulina enriched Brine Shrimp, Nori Sheets and Spectrum Pellets.

Thanks for your suggestions!

20180408-untitled-001-X3.jpg
 
The blue green chromis could work. I have three in my 90g. I tried adding three more but they didn't make it. Still the same three for over 1.5 years now.

Beautiful clam BTW.
 
I have a 2 year old mixed hard coral reef and my nutrient levels are too low so I am looking into adding a few more fish.

Here are what I believe to be the important details of my tank...

100G
48" L x24" W x20" H
2 MP40s running at about 60% Reef Crest
ATI 8x54 T5 fixture
Good Skimmer in the sump

PH 7.9-8.3
78 degrees
1.025 Salinity

Bare Bottom
~65 lbs of Tampa Bay Live Rock
Mostly SPS with a few LPS and one Clam (see picture)
20-30 small snails for CUC along with 2 small urchins

Current Fish:
-One Spot Fox Face
-Kole Tang
-Clownfish Pair
-Yellow Assessor
-Possum Wrasse

What I am looking for in fish:
-Fairly low maintenance in terms of feeding. (So no Anthias for example)
-Stay away from fish that are likely to nip at my clam
-Fish that will easily integrate with my current fish.

I was thinking about 3-5 Blue Green Chromis but I am worried they won't last. If not, maybe some other small schooling fish? I like the idea of adding several of one more breed, rather than adding several more different fish.

Today I mainly feed Spirulina enriched Brine Shrimp, Nori Sheets and Spectrum Pellets.

Thanks for your suggestions!

20180408-untitled-001-X3.jpg
A small school of firefish would look nice... The fancier purple head ones. I like the yellow assessor choise.. I have one and it's a great fish.

Sent from my SM-A520W using Tapatalk
 
Neither Firefish or Banggai will live long term more than a pair in a tank. Once mature, the dominant pair will chased all the other out of the tank. either tot he carpet or into the over flow. I know that in nature, they exist in what look like group, but not in aquarium.
 
Mandarin Dragonet pair. You will like themem

Aren't Dragonet finicky eaters? I don't have a fuge so I don't think I have many pods. I need fish that will eat brine/mysis/spectrum pellets. Any other suggestions for 3 or more fish? Are there any nice reef safe wrasses that you can keep in small groups?

What are your thoughts on the Blue Green chromis?

Thanks!
 
Your tank is about 100 gal with no pod eater other than possible Your wrasse. Well run, it should support a pair of Mandarin. Certainly one Mandarin at least.
 
If you want Damsels I would get Azur damsels. Much more striking then Chromis which is such a bland fish IMO
 
If you want three flasher wrasses of different species would be great. Or several Fairy wrasses. Cover is a must for these guys.
 
Aren't Dragonet finicky eaters? I don't have a fuge so I don't think I have many pods. I need fish that will eat brine/mysis/spectrum pellets. Any other suggestions for 3 or more fish? Are there any nice reef safe wrasses that you can keep in small groups?

What are your thoughts on the Blue Green chromis?

Thanks!

Yes they are. I would definitely skip one even with a larger tank since you have no idea if you have a pod population that will support them.

Wrasses would be a good idea. Fairy and Flasher Wrasses are generally reef safe with the Peaceful varieties. Flasher Wrasses do tend to be a bit more delicate though. Halichoeres Wrasses will leave Corals and things like Cleaner Shrimp alone but will munch on smaller ornamental shrimp, snails and hermit crabs on occasion. The plus side is that they will eat fireworms, bristleworms and Pyramid snails. They are inexpensive, beautiful and full of personality. Here is an example of a Male Melanurus and a juvie Melanurus that I had in my 90.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_bl6wJzSng
 
Nice looking tank.

Your tank might be big enough for a yellow tang. But that might be pushing it.
Bengai Cardinals, Fire fish, or fairy basslet would all be good.
Most fairy or flasher wrasses would work also.
 
I agree with the flasher/fairy wrasses. Also look into the Flame Hawkfish and the flameback dwarf angel and maybe the orchid dottyback.
 
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