Need last fish suggestion

[bluecoyote79]

My 65 gallon was set up with fully cured LR just over a month ago. After letting it run a month I transferred my livestock from my 28g nanocube today. I plan to break down the 28 and give it to a coworker but not till after I use it as a QT for the last fish I will add to the 65. The problem is, I can't decide what to add.

I have a fire fish, bonded pair of true Percs, watchman goby with pistol shrimp and 2 skunk cleaners. They've all been doing great for over 4 years except the skunks which were added 1 and 2 years ago respectively.

I'm throwing it out there for suggestions on what to add. I'd like something that will swim in the open for the most part and but won't bother my fire fish.

I considered Pajama cardinals but find them creepy looking (think spooky fish from South Park). I'd really like to try a trio of blue green chromis but there are such mixed reviews on them. Thought about a male flasher wrasse with 2 females but was told they will pester the fire fish. Divers Den has red spot cardinals that are kinda neat, as are the ORA blue streak/long spine cardinals.

Any thoughts or suggestions? Maybe some success stories with the chromis?

 

[Dmorty217]

No cardinal species will be out swimming like you are describing. If a swimmer is what you are looking for I would suggest a Reefsafe wrasse of some sort or a angelfish like a Bellus or wanatabei. Females are better shippers than the males are. If your budget is higher the dwarf angel list , (which I consider adult size of 6-7") has limitless options. Check out Humaguy or WayneL tanks.

 

[Fishy 1]

Are you looking for reef safe fish? If your not looking for reef safe the a dwarf angle like a coral beauty would be nice (most are reef safe with caution, but normaly they only nip at corals for abit and then leave them alone (keep them well fed and chances are they will leave them alone). but then there's the chance that you could get one and it goes rouge, they shouldn't bother you fire fish. From what iv heard its best keep just one chromis so they don't kill each other. You could also get a reef safe wrasse and if you want an example a carpenters flasher is the most stunning wrasse iv seen

 

[drej424]

My cardinals are always out swimming. That's one reason I like them so much.

 

[silentstorm]

+1 to a dwarf angel such as a coral beauty or a flame angel.. the coral beauty might be more reef safe than the flame...but both are add with caution.

also look into a midas blenny... interesting character & will swim back & forth in the middle section from its base.

 

[Dmorty217]

Stay away from chromis, I had a school of 25 in my tank that slowly went down to 8, they will slowly single out one and it will leave the school and die within a week. I have watched it happen time and time again. Like I said I had 8 when I got rid of them

 

[MSUschmidt]

I have to agree with Fishy 1. I just recently added a McCoskers Flasher Wrasse, he's always out in the open and swimming. I also have a firefish, those 2 are the most seen fish I have. http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+1378+2648&pcatid=2648

 

[bluecoyote79]

The fish definitely has to be reef safe so I'd have to be careful with angels.

I was originally looking to add a McCoskers or very similar wrasse. I like the idea of watching a pair or trio interact. Anyone else have experience with these wrasses and a fire fish?

 

[MrTuskfish]

If you've had the clowns for 4 years, they are almost certainly a mated or boded pair. Bonded clowns are possibly the most territorial fish we keep and I think you'll have serious trouble introducing any fish. You would probably be OK if you put the clowns into your QT when the new fish goes in the DT. Give the clowns a couple of weeks and put them beck, they'll have to settle for a smaller territory.

 

[bluecoyote79]

Thanks I never thought of an issue with my clowns. I've never had any trouble with my pair and yeah I bought them as a bonded pair. They never bother any of their tank mates so hopefully won't start. It's interesting the picked the same corner in the new tank as the old one to claim. The firefish also picked the same spot which is right next to the clowns. They've always swam together and seem like it's continuing.

 

[Anthony10]

I personally wouldn't go for blue green chromis, I had bought three from my lfs and two were dead within a couple days. Go for maybe a school/pair of cardinals instead.

 

[bluecoyote79]

I've given up on the idea of chromis. I'm into the idea of a wrasse trio but have reservations.

On a side note everything made it past the 24 hour mark after the move to the new tank. I can't figure out why my nassarius snails aren't going under the sand. It's not as fine as what I had before but it's far from course sand. They were staying on a rock which had my watchman and pistol in it so I was worried one of them had passed causing the snails to swarm but I checked and the pair are fine and even ate. I'm still amazed that the snails and pistol and watchman are all going on 5 years now.