Recommendations For First Fish

[Robby.F]

Hey ive always read post on here, but this is my first. Ive got a 37 gallon tank that is cycled has about 30 pounds of live rock and right now some coral frags ive had for a week. Im wanting to know what I should get for my first fish? I want some clown fish but want to get two, so I know its best to buy them in pairs while there young. Im looking for just one fish to start with but something I will be happy with later on. It must be reef safe and also compatible with most other fish. Ive been looking at something like a six line wrasse or a gobie/blenny.

Also right now my corals are under flouresent lighining. I have a frogspawn, kenya tree, mushroom, star polyps and some other polyps. Im getting some better lighting this week they seem to be doing great right now but I know there starving for some proper lighting. Ill most likely get T-5 lighting. my question is should i spend more money and get 4 t5 bulbs around 96 watts or will 2 t5 bulbs be ok rated around 48 watts?

The picture was taken a week ago the corals are opened up more and larger and looking good.

Thanks for the help
Robby

 

[evilspaz]

I would get a Four line wrasse, there a little less aggressive than the six line but pretty much the same. A Firefish would also be cool but IMO compared to the wrasse they are boring.

 

[Chihuahua6]

Royal Gramma!!!!

 

[Reef_Dart21]

MIDAS BLENNY, they are the most interesting fish i had ever seen, add a pipe and its like a jungle gym to them.

 

[Stumped]

It must be reef safe and also compatible with most other fish. Ive been looking at something like a six line wrasse or a gobie/blenny.

Don't get a six line as your first fish especially if you don't know what you want to stock after. If you get a goby or a blenny you can pretty much add any fish you want after them, thus leaving your options open. If you went with a six line theres a good chance they would show aggression to some of your future additions.

 

[Robby.F]

Thanks for the Info on the fish. Ill probably stay away from the six line wrasse though I dont mind my options being narrowed just would like to have some other fish in the tank like a clown.

 

[Korrine]

how about a bright yellow watchman goby? easy first fish and they should allow you toadd fish later on.

or a zebra barred dartfish. They're cool looking
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+1926+150&pcatid=150

 

[Robby.F]

Im thinking I might go ahead and get two clowns. I know there hardy and my filtration is oversized so It should be ok to add two to start with.

 

[TOM BLEVINS]

Clowns for sure and maybe a Rose Anemone.

 

[Korrine]

aw not the clowns...don't you want to do something different? Seems everyone has clowns

 

[Bonta]

Agreed on the Midas Blenny,
Scissortail Dartfish are a personaly favorite. Mines sometimes crawl along the sand looking for left over mysis shrimp .

 

[wuzup3]

Pair of clowns gets my vote.

 

[Robby.F]

Thanks for all the suggestions im going back and forth between the Clowns or a Midas Blenny. Any thoughts on the lighting?

 

[mickeyray]

Clowns are damsel.. they can/are always lol very territorial. Starting with them is a dangerous idea. Have you ever considered a jawfish. They are very interesting fish, and if your tank is ready, they're good to start with because they get comfortable in there home b4 any1 can mess with them. In other words, they make they're burrow in piece lol. Or another amazing fish most people don't keep are Curious wormfish. Soo entertaining. The just wiggle around and have nice color. Oh and btw if you want 2 clowns I would try black clowns, they seem to be less aggressive. It's the one clown I've had that didn't chase everyone else. Also I've experienced and heard that it's better to get the clowns from different shipments, so that they aren't from the same parents. Otherwise they might not pair up and instead when the reach maturity they'll kill each other. Oh and is that 30 Lbs of rock in that pic or have you added a bunch.. not prying like anythings wrong lol.. just wondering what I'm seeing lol Oh and the midas blennys are cool too.

 

[Beaun]

Possum Wrasse or a Basslet

 

[Korrine]

Starting w/clowns ISN'T a bad idea if they are both juveniles. They aren't so territorial when they are babies

 

[mickeyray]

Yeah ur right.... and in 4 months they'll kill each other. and if they' re anything other then black clowns they'll prolly stress out everyone else

 

[Kahuna Tuna]

I pair of ocellaris or percula clowns would be an awesome choice for a first fish. I was in a LFS yesterday and was looking at a tank full of small juvies and you could already see some of them paring up. I love my true percs, and have had my pair for over seven years, just a very tough beautiful and forgiving fish to start with. Another good choice would be either the pink or orange skunks, another mellow clownfish. I also like the orchid pseudo and a bicolor blenny (or any Ecsenius genus) would be another great addition. I would steer clear of all of the lined wrasses in a tank of that size, the six line has a bad rep that is well earned.