Prize fish for my 65 gallon reef

[Levito]

Hey all,

I'm currently in the process of (slowly) stocking my 65 gallon reef tank, and I'm working on a list of the fish I'd like to put in there. I plan on keeping mainly softies and LPS for the coral, and the fish I'll be keeping include Ocellaris Clownfish (2), Yellow Watchman Goby, 6 line wrasse. The cuc will be cleaner shrimp (1 or 2), and turbo & nassarius snails.

But I'm looking for 1 more Prize fish, if you will, to round out the tank. I have a good amount of rockwork on the bottom, but also plenty open space up top for a fish that likes to move around-- the tank is 36" high, and the rocks peak at around 18" I'm sure some of the coral will go up a little higher, but there should still be some open swimming room for a larger (but not too large) fish.

What would you guys suggest as the last fish in the tank? Obviously with a 65 gallon tank, tangs are out of the question. I was thinking maybe a Foxface Lo, but I feel a 65 might be a bit on the small side for one. I'm hoping there are some other cool ideas out there, any suggestions?

 

[jddaniel]

Have you considered a dwarf angel? Cherub, Coral Beauty, Pacific Pygmy, Flameback or Fisher's Angelfish would make a nice show fish in a 65g. There is always some risk involved, but proper planning and a full belly seem to keep those listed pretty content in reefs ime.
I also like the Talbot's damsel, colorful, active and peaceful for a damsel if kept singly.
So many choices out there, good luck in your research!

 

[Levito]

Thanks jddaniel. I definitely want to stay away from angels, even dwarf. I'm not willing to take the chance and have them take out some coral when I'm not paying attention.
I was thinking about some damsels a while back as well, not as the prize fish though, since they're relatively small. But I decided that I'd rather have a wrasse instead. I find the wrasse's more interesting and love seeing them swim in and out of the rocks. Thanks for the suggestions though!

 

[sedor]

Wrasse's tend to be some of the more interesting fish and would be a nice addition. As far as a showpiece goes, that's really up to you. I would personally go with some sort of dwarf angel. My favorite is the Flame Angel, but you might have issues with it eating coral.

 

[jubjub]

meh for what its worth....i've had 3 flame angels in mixed reef tanks (sps/lps) never had issues... either way

when your saying prize fish are you looking at prize = expensive? if so what about a candy basslet?

other then that purple firefish are quite pretty

 

[Levito]

thanks. I'm still not going to take the chance with an angel. With my luck, I'd get the one that goes apesh!t on the corals.
It definitely doesn't have to be an expensive fish. What I meant by prize fish is a large, visible fish, not something that will hide in the rocks. But a largish fish that likes to cruise slowly around the tank... Like an angel, but without the potential damage to the coral.

 

[ocellaris123]

You may have some compatibility issues with the wrasse purchase if you still intend to do a sixline wrasse. I would try a basslet to add as your prize fish. Their are some rare species available (candy basslet) if you dont mind spending the money. Even the royal gramma is pretty eye catching, and once fully acclimated they are out in the open for much of the time.

 

[LisaD]

Marine bettas are a little shy, but mine is out often. They are dramatic, gorgeous fish. Hardy and unusual looking. Very peaceful. The size is perfect for your tank. A marine betta would be the big fish in the small pond (tank). One of my favorite fish.

Not sure how they are with shrimp. Mine doesn't bother hermit crabs or snails.

 

[tcmfish]

+1 Lisa

 

[PiXieCath]

Marine betta is a great idea, even if IMO it is a shy fish and never really swim in the open except at feeding time. I own one for many years (I sold it when I moved) and despit the fact that he was pretty large, he never bother any shrimps in my tank.

But personnaly, I'll definitly take the chance to go with a dwarf angel...I currently have 2 (a flameback and a multifasciatus) for more than a year and they never touch any LPS or clams in my tank. (and my reef is LPS and clam dominated). (but I don't know how much experiences you have in reefkeeping...multifasciatus is definitly not a fish for newbies...but flameback is...)

If you really don't want to try a dwarf angel, fairy wrasse could be the best choice if your tank is not open top. The solorensis wrasse is wonderful...or if you can spend a little much money, I'll definitly go with a Scott's or a Laboutei wrasse.

 

[Levito]

Marine betta seems like a cool idea, thanks for the suggestion. I'm definitely getting a 6 line wrasse, they're one of my favorite fish. So I wouldn't get any other wrasse. But marine betta's seem really cool. I don't know that I've ever seen someone who had that fish either, and I don't even see them in my LFS's very often.

Any other suggestions are always welcome. Thanks to all who have thrown their $0.02 in so far.

 

[AuroraDrvr]

My vote:


Odontanthias borbonius

 

[PiXieCath]

Instead of going with the 6 line wrasse, why don't you take a look on the 4 line wrasse (also called the 12 lines wrasse)? IMO, he is more attractive than the usual 6 line and he's not bully as the 6 line do...

AuroraDrvr: Nice idea, if Levito have $$$ and a lot of patience!;-) That was not an easy fish to find!;p

 

[AuroraDrvr]

Instead of going with the 6 line wrasse, why don't you take a look on the 4 line wrasse (also called the 12 lines wrasse)? IMO, he is more attractive than the usual 6 line and he's not bully as the 6 line do...

AuroraDrvr: Nice idea, if Levito have $$$ and a lot of patience!;-) That was not an easy fish to find!;p

+1 on the 4-Line Idea. Maybe even a Pink Streaked Wrasse, Pseudocheilinops ataenia if you can find one.

Borbs aren't "that" much in the grand scheme of things. Definitely not $1,500 Privitera anthias expensive.

 

[tang0v]

I like wrasse.. Go with a group of flame wrasse.

 

[LisaD]

What are the dimensions of your tank? 36" high seems not typical. If your tank is not at least 4 ft long, I'd leave out the foxface.

FWIW, I had a 6-line wrasse that was never a bully. He was not with other wrasses and was a model citizen.

Another nice fish (it would not be THE show fish) is an orchid dottyback. Beautiful, colorful, hardy, peaceful (IME). Really lovely fish.

I don't have a lot of experience with butterfly fish, but I wonder if there isn't a small, hardy, reef-safe butterfly that would fit the bill for you?

 

[LisaD]

If you want other wrasses, then the six line is out.

 

[PiXieCath]

Borbs aren't "that" much in the grand scheme of things. Definitely not $1,500 Privitera anthias expensive.

Hihi! I do agree, but that was not a ''cheap'' fish yet...in my location, borb are in the 200-250$ range. I personnaly don't care about paying that price for a beautifull fish, but a lot of people don't want to spend this on a single fish... And I'm working in a reef shop at partial time for few years and this fish is rarely seen on our wholesaler lists (a reputated one located in California)...When borb are available, we have to act fast since they go in minutes.:-(

For the 6 line, he's usually sweet in large reef tank but tend to be bully in small set up over time...

 

[b2d2t]

definitely take out the six line wrasse and put in some fairy wrasses you could probably put three in the tank. My favourite is the Scotts Wrasse its awesome but its like 200 bucks but well worth it.

 

[LisaD]

FWIW, it's only one fish, I know, my six line was in a 25 with an orchid dottyback and a couple blennies. At times, it was also with seahorses and leaf fish. Never bothered anything, and I had it about three years (before it jumped out of a small space in the hood).