Picking out fish / stocking my aquarium

[terrymason]

I'm still cycling my new 54 gallon corner aquarium, and I'm starting to think about fish. I've compiled a list of fish, ranked in order that I like them. I was wondering how many of these would be appropriate (i.e. 1-3 or 1-5). Also, if any of these fish don't seem particularly appropriate.

I've got a 54 corner, with a small sump (currently has bio-balls in it). I've got a mag 9 returning through a squid, and 2 nanostream 6045s. The bottom has a thin layer of crushed rock (rather coarse).

Thanks!
Terry


1. Flame Angel

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=444


2. Ocellaris Clownfish (mated pair)

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=755


3. Macneill's Basslet

http://www.marinedepotlive.com/macneills-basslet---assessor-macneilli-fish--basslets.html


4. Catalina Goby

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=155


5. Canary Fang Blenny

http://www.marinedepotlive.com/canary-fang-blenny---meiacanthus-ovalaunensis-fish--blennys.html


6. Orange Stripe Prawn Goby

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=197


7. Fridmani Pseudochromis

http://www.marinedepotlive.com/frid...s-fridmani-fish--pseudochromis-dottyback.html


8. Flame Hawkfish

http://www.marinedepotlive.com/flame-hawkfish---neocirrhites-armatus-fish--hawkfish.html


9. Sailfin / Rogue Scorpion

http://www.marinedepotlive.com/sail...amblyapistus-taenionotus-fish--scorpions.html

 

[zma21]

Flame angels are not for beginners IMO, they are quite delicate fish.

 

[papagimp]

1)Flame angel, maybe later after other fish have adapted to aquarium life at your home. They can be rather aggressive to new additions after he establishes himself first.
2) Ocellaris, cannot recommend them enough, love em
3)basselet - don't know about this one
4)catalina goby - not a true reef fish and will not do as good in temperatures above 76, I'd avoid em and get a similar species that is a true reef fish.
5)all the rest, hit or miss

 

[terrymason]

I'll wait on the Flame Angel until the last fish, I'm just trying to plan all my fish first, instead of just buying.

I haven't seen that basselet before either, but it sure looks neat from the photo.


Do you know of any other fish that I really should get? I'd like to get a couple of fish that swim alot (the way a tang would). I may ditch the Pseudochromis, as they seem to always hide.

 

[webbstock]

The flame hawkfish likes to eat shrimp, so if you get him, then that would limit your shrimp choices later on.

 

[terrymason]

OK, scratch the flame hawk, and catalina. Any recommendations?

 

[glockcoma]

firefish goby's are nice and hardy, a non agressive reef fish

 

[Sparty00]

Also try looking at some Wrasse's that are reef safe, they are nice addition to tanks, and most are peaceful.

I added a Blue-Sided Fairy Wrasse, its a great fish.

 

[Cozen89]

I second wrasses. Beautiful fish. Also the Oc clown. I know they are very common, but they are great to watch. Best personality by far. I also have a bicolor blenny that I really enjoy watching when he perches on the rocks.

 

[papagimp]

My yellow wrasse likes to swim constantly all day long, and goes to bed right on time every night like a good little fish. And when the mood strikes him, I've seen him playing around with the regal tang and even see him occasionally playing with my black and white occellaris, they host in either a hairy mushroom or frogspawn depending on their mood and the yellow wrasse gets right there in the middle of it like he was a clown. It's too funny. Friendliest fish I've ever owned. I also recommend a coral beauty if you can get a nice well behaved one, likes to swim alot and looks awesome.

Firefish are also excellent reef safe fish that look so cool, but last time I tried to buy some, they lasted about 5 minutes before being chased out of my tank and onto the floor. I'd recommend a cover if you want them. But in their defense they were running for their lives from a dominoe damsel.