Reef fishes input

[Mules1]

Tank is 6' by 24"w x 20" deep
Total volume of 250 gal with sump and display fudge

Current stock
Hippo tang
Yellow rang
Watanabei angel f
Pair clowns
Pair yellow corris
Hovens wrasse
Pair of royal gramma

Problem is the tank looks empty

Need to add more fish
Will be adding a naso tang but want some more to make it look busy.

Had a harem of 5 flame wrasse. Male jumped, then one of the females and sold the last 3

Had 5 lyretail anthias do a number of years but they faded as I often will go days without feeding when away and don't want to feed multiple times per day.

Had 10 chromis and we all know the outcome.

All current fish have been in 3+ years.

Looking for ideas.

May try the chromis again.

Also may try 8-10 springeri damsels if I can find locally but worry about aggression as the tank is very peaceful.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[nereefpat]

I wouldn't do any of the Naso tangs. They get huge.

You could use some perchers, like:

longnose or flame hawk
lawnmower or starry blenny
tailspot blenny
mandarin

If you want a group of something, maybe scissor tail or zebra dartfish. Or a few chalk bass.

Dwarf angels an option? Flame, coral beauty, eiblii, etc.

cardinals

A group of any of the Chrysiptera damsels (like springer's) is a good idea.

 

[Mules1]

Have a mandarin that was omitted

Not so much for the perchers

Thanks for the naso input

Def leaning toward damsels. Just worried about aggression.

How many you think? 8-10?

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Why no perchers? Long nose hawks are awesome. Mine would follow me as I walked around the tank/room.

What about a few pairs of the deep water angles.? A male for your Wantanabi. others in pairs. Gold flake angles.


And yea, skip the Naso's or any of the other large tangs or angles. I had a pair of Naso's in my 400G tank and even that tank looked small for them.

 

[Mules1]

Flame hawk is a maybe.

I shy away from angels as they are hit/miss reef safe.

 

[hkgar]

Check fish list after my signature (22 total fish). I have a 180 tank.

 

[nereefpat]

How many you think? 8-10?

That sounds reasonable. You could also mix species a bit...yellow tail, springers, talbot, etc. Just make sure they are all Chrysiptera genus, and not other groups of more aggressive damsels.

 

[Mules1]

Would the different species hang out together? Or even if same will be scattered?

 

[lionfish300]

What do you think of Pyramid Butterfly? a trio would look good

 

[Mules1]

I actuall had thought of pyramid butterfly. Beautiful fish but not convinced reef safe and I have a lot of yellow in the tank already.

 

[jaybfresh]

Foxface are active and social

 

[Mules1]

Yes they are. I had a magnificent foxface for 4 years and passed for unknown reasons. May add another

 

[nereefpat]

Would the different species hang out together? Or even if same will be scattered?

I think either way, they will scatter somewhat.

For the pyramids, they should be very reef safe. They are planktivores, but I have seen someone report them eating xenia.

 

[Mules1]

Xenia - no big deal then. Don't have any and not planning on adding.

 

[Silly clownfish]

Wrasses really add motion, but yes, you need a good cover and even with a full glass canopy I have had a couple manage to find their way out.

Flame hawks have great color and personality and tend to be front and center to get your attention and food.

A foxface might not get along well with your tangs, and they tend to be rather skittish and hide. That said I find them entertaining and humorous.

You can also get some fun inverts. Coral banded shrimp love to come out and wave their arms around.

 

[Mules1]

Thank you. I fear a shrimp will be an expensive snack for my hoevens. I have added a few cleaner shrimp in the past that have lasted minutes.

 

[lionfish300]

I actuall had thought of pyramid butterfly. Beautiful fish but not convinced reef safe and I have a lot of yellow in the tank already.

My 2 are I have these 2 for 2-3 years now sps. lps never bother anything. If yellow is a problem the look at Zooster butterfly they look just like the Pyramid but black and white with just small streak of yellow on upper fin https://www.liveaquaria.com/product/1846/zoster-butterflyfish?pcatid=1846&c=15+25+1846

 

[Mules1]

Thanks for all the input!!!!

Going to add 5 lyretail anthias and 10 springeri damsels.

 

[Myles]

I have a group of 3 pyramids in 180g. They will frequently nibble on coral but seem to do no damage and not effect growth or polyp extension. For me the biggest downside is they have very high metabolism and require a lot of food. The trade off is that they are beautiful, active, and lots of fun to watch.
Myles

 

[sde1500]

Genicanthus harem would be my vote! You already have one, maybe add another female and a male.