Show Piece Fish Under $1000?

[mike61289]

A dwarf angel (or pair) is your best bet for a showcase in a tank that size. Joculators do really well in captivity and are considered more reef safe than others, although we still have to consider them on an individual basis. Interruptus angels are beautiful but can get big and are known to be aggressive. Shepard's angels look similar to flame angels and have a similar disposition to them from what I understand. Resplendents are on the smaller side of angels, similar to the pygmies, but they're rambunctious and can be very territorial.

Those are the rare species I'd recommend based on ease of raising and being "reef safe." I would avoid a regal angel because they're on the bigger side, generally a shyer species of angelfish, and difficult to keep. I kept one for almost a year and one day it looked dazed. The next day, it was dead.

If you're going to spend all that money on a rare fish, make sure it's a fish that will live for a long time. Regal angels have a bad track record for even the most experienced of aquarists.

 

[d-man]

My Joculator likes to decimate acros. But leaves all other corals and clams alone

 

[brett559]

I still say the big 3 in this hobby are (1) tangs, (2) angels and (3) wrasses

Tough to beat these beauties.

Can't imagine these wouldn't all do fine in a 90g, provided you start small with the regal...

 

[Flaring Afro]

Can't imagine these wouldn't all do fine in a 90g, provided you start small with the regal...

The regal gets 10". That's 1/3 of the swim length. Tangs also need a lot of swim room - much more than 30".

 

[brett559]

No regal has ever grown to 10" in a home aquarium. I kept one quite happily in a 30" 42g. I know many experienced reefers who have had success keeping regals in 40g breeders.

The End-All-Be-All Holy Bible in regards to discussions like this (Live Aquaria) rates the White Tail Bristletooth Tang for 70 gallons. 90>70

But whatever, I'm not here to pick a fight. Donald Trump might be our next president - we have bigger things to worry about than what a stranger (to you and me at least) decides to put in his fish tank.

That being said, if I were stocking a sweet new 90g from scratch, I would add those three fish (and several more). So there you go.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

It's a little tricky with cubes even as big as 100 gallons. Some nice tangs and angels need horizontal swimming room.

I agree with no large fish. I think a lot of the people making suggestions don't realize a 93 cube is only 30" corner to corner.

yup

 

[forddna]

I will not intentionally put something in there that will outgrow the tank TOO quickly or be more aggressive or pick at corals more because it truly did need more space. And I would start with the smallest specimens possible if it's a fish that will eventually outgrow the tank.

I'd say if it can't last 2 years in my cube, purchased small, I probably won't consider it.

I plan to upgrade in a year or two, but I'm not going to count on it. I love large tanks. I'm settling for wear will currently fit in my space and available free time. My first reef was a 220g.

 

[BigBlueTang]

I didn't read the dimensions of the tank, just assumed it wasn't ideal

Not sure what it is your saying about cops, but I will encourage you not to continue...

All good!

I think he meant tang police :lmao:

 

[BigBlueTang]

I will not intentionally put something in there that will outgrow the tank TOO quickly or be more aggressive or pick at corals more because it truly did need more space. And I would start with the smallest specimens possible if it's a fish that will eventually outgrow the tank.

I'd say if it can't last 2 years in my cube, purchased small, I probably won't consider it.

I plan to upgrade in a year or two, but I'm not going to count on it. I love large tanks. I'm settling for wear will currently fit in my space and available free time. My first reef was a 220g.

That's an awesome outlook to have. I would highly encourage Fairy wrasses or a regal angel.

 

[fishfreak2009]

I highly suggest a pair of these guys. They are gorgeous and mine are always out and about.

 

[forddna]

Thanks, everybody! Can any of you who suggested fish that you personally own comment on their care level? Other than the mandarins needing a mature tank with tons of pods, and wrasses and anthias..es? Anthiaii?...lol...needing a covered tank, I don't know about the care level of many of the fish you guys suggested. Of course I can look it up, but I prefer to hear personal experience.

Question about wrasses. Do they need to be in groups? For happiness and coloration?

 

[ksicard]

wrasses can be kept singly without any issues whatsoever. I dont recommend adding a pair of the same species since often times they both turn male over time which results in fighting. To clarify a pair would be 2 flame wrasses, its perfectly fine to keep 1 flame wrasse + 1 earlei wrasse.

If you get several wrasses your chances of them coloring up to be a super male increase, so feel free to have multiple wrasses. I keep 9 wrasses in my 120

 

[forddna]

wrasses can be kept singly without any issues whatsoever. I dont recommend adding a pair of the same species since often times they both turn male over time which results in fighting. To clarify a pair would be 2 flame wrasses, its perfectly fine to keep 1 flame wrasse + 1 earlei wrasse.

If you get several wrasses your chances of them coloring up to be a super male increase, so feel free to have multiple wrasses. I keep 9 wrasses in my 120

This helps a ton. So as long as they are different species, they'll be good?

 

[roberthu526]

This helps a ton. So as long as they are different species, they'll be good?

I have had three fairy wrasses in a 125 and they chases each other around but no real damage done and everyone was out once the lights were on.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ksicard]

This helps a ton. So as long as they are different species, they'll be good?

Unfortunately, no. You still have to be diligent with picking and choosing the correct wrasses. Not all of them play nice with each other. I use this chart to judge compatibility.

http://www.reefedition.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/chart.png

The chart shows aggressiveness as well as which families the wrasses belong too. Typically what you want to avoid is orange/red (colors on chart) wrasses as well as mixing to many wrasses from the same family. Its possible to mix some of the orange/red wrasses but I wouldn't recommend it unless experienced with wrasses. I use an acclimation box to help diffuse aggression between wrasses when a new one is added.

Lastly, It's completely normal to observe chasing and nipping with wrasses. Its what they do, they flash brilliant colors at each other and give each other a quick chase. What you want to watch out for is behavior that will result in the death of another wrasse. If you follow the chart I linked properly you should be able to easily avoid a situation like that.

The chart only shows fairy wrasses, if you are interested in flasher wrasses you can pretty much mix any flasher wrasse together. I would avoid scotts fairy wrasses, mystery wrasses, and generally most wrasses that arent fairy's or flashers. A lot of wrasses can be pretty delicate and I wouldn't add any of these without first doing your homework. I recommend fairies and flashers because they are readily available and generally arent as delicate as some of the non-fairy wrasses

 

[WLachnit]

Unfortunately, no. You still have to be diligent with picking and choosing the correct wrasses. Not all of them play nice with each other. I use this chart to judge compatibility.

http://www.reefedition.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/chart.png

The chart shows aggressiveness as well as which families the wrasses belong too. Typically what you want to avoid is orange/red (colors on chart) wrasses as well as mixing to many wrasses from the same family. Its possible to mix some of the orange/red wrasses but I wouldn't recommend it unless experienced with wrasses. I use an acclimation box to help diffuse aggression between wrasses when a new one is added.

Lastly, It's completely normal to observe chasing and nipping with wrasses. Its what they do, they flash brilliant colors at each other and give each other a quick chase. What you want to watch out for is behavior that will result in the death of another wrasse. If you follow the chart I linked properly you should be able to easily avoid a situation like that.

The chart only shows fairy wrasses, if you are interested in flasher wrasses you can pretty much mix any flasher wrasse together. I would avoid scotts fairy wrasses, mystery wrasses, and generally most wrasses that arent fairy's or flashers. A lot of wrasses can be pretty delicate and I wouldn't add any of these without first doing your homework. I recommend fairies and flashers because they are readily available and generally arent as delicate as some of the non-fairy wrasses

This chart is great! I have spent a lot of time trying to determine fairy wrasse compatibility. This is very helpful.

 

[Flaring Afro]

Unfortunately, no. You still have to be diligent with picking and choosing the correct wrasses. Not all of them play nice with each other. I use this chart to judge compatibility.

http://www.reefedition.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/chart.png

The chart shows aggressiveness as well as which families the wrasses belong too. Typically what you want to avoid is orange/red (colors on chart) wrasses as well as mixing to many wrasses from the same family. Its possible to mix some of the orange/red wrasses but I wouldn't recommend it unless experienced with wrasses. I use an acclimation box to help diffuse aggression between wrasses when a new one is added.

Lastly, It's completely normal to observe chasing and nipping with wrasses. Its what they do, they flash brilliant colors at each other and give each other a quick chase. What you want to watch out for is behavior that will result in the death of another wrasse. If you follow the chart I linked properly you should be able to easily avoid a situation like that.

The chart only shows fairy wrasses, if you are interested in flasher wrasses you can pretty much mix any flasher wrasse together. I would avoid scotts fairy wrasses, mystery wrasses, and generally most wrasses that arent fairy's or flashers. A lot of wrasses can be pretty delicate and I wouldn't add any of these without first doing your homework. I recommend fairies and flashers because they are readily available and generally arent as delicate as some of the non-fairy wrasses

I had no idea that chart existed. I usually just wait for Evolved to show up after people said his name and that they needed him, like a super hero.

 

[roberthu526]

I had no idea that chart existed. I usually just wait for Evolved to show up after people said his name and that they needed him, like a super hero.

Yeah I do the same. Evolved in mind equals to wrasse. He maybe a wrasse with a computer...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ksicard]

Hunter (aka evolved) wrote that chart. That is his own invention

 

[forddna]

Unfortunately, no. You still have to be diligent with picking and choosing the correct wrasses. Not all of them play nice with each other. I use this chart to judge compatibility.

http://www.reefedition.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/chart.png

The chart shows aggressiveness as well as which families the wrasses belong too. Typically what you want to avoid is orange/red (colors on chart) wrasses as well as mixing to many wrasses from the same family. Its possible to mix some of the orange/red wrasses but I wouldn't recommend it unless experienced with wrasses. I use an acclimation box to help diffuse aggression between wrasses when a new one is added.

Lastly, It's completely normal to observe chasing and nipping with wrasses. Its what they do, they flash brilliant colors at each other and give each other a quick chase. What you want to watch out for is behavior that will result in the death of another wrasse. If you follow the chart I linked properly you should be able to easily avoid a situation like that.

The chart only shows fairy wrasses, if you are interested in flasher wrasses you can pretty much mix any flasher wrasse together. I would avoid scotts fairy wrasses, mystery wrasses, and generally most wrasses that arent fairy's or flashers. A lot of wrasses can be pretty delicate and I wouldn't add any of these without first doing your homework. I recommend fairies and flashers because they are readily available and generally arent as delicate as some of the non-fairy wrasses

Extremely helpful. Thank you!