starter fish
- Thread starter bomber79
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CoralsAddiction
Active member
starter fish
There are many kinds. Lubbocks fairy wrasse, watchman goby, firefish. I suggest starting with a smaller and more timid fish first. Otherwise if you start out with more aggressive fish before anything else it might be hard to introduce new fish after.
There are many kinds. Lubbocks fairy wrasse, watchman goby, firefish. I suggest starting with a smaller and more timid fish first. Otherwise if you start out with more aggressive fish before anything else it might be hard to introduce new fish after.
SwampyBill
New member
A good first fish is the lawnmower blennie. They're not too pretty, but will mow down algae on the rocks; & they're very peaceful. Or a diamond goby to keep sandbed aerated. Good luck & welcome to Reef Central.
Lawnmower blennies are best left to established tanks.
Get yourself a watchman goby or a shrimpgoby, and also a pistol shrimp. The pair is FASCINATING to watch. Tiger pistol shrimp work best for larger gobies such as watchman gobies, Randall's pistol shrimp work best with smaller ones like high-fin gobies. I suggest a yellow watchman goby, as they're hardy and quite peaceful.
Get yourself a watchman goby or a shrimpgoby, and also a pistol shrimp. The pair is FASCINATING to watch. Tiger pistol shrimp work best for larger gobies such as watchman gobies, Randall's pistol shrimp work best with smaller ones like high-fin gobies. I suggest a yellow watchman goby, as they're hardy and quite peaceful.
Whatever fish you decide on, do yourself a favor and QT it! 
SwampyBill
New member
^^^ +1 on QT all fish first.
With all due respect, lawnmower blennies are perfect for a new tank & it's algae issues. & a diamond goby is good in anything over 30 gallons. Years ago I kept both in a 35gal newly cycled tank just fine.
With all due respect, lawnmower blennies are perfect for a new tank & it's algae issues. & a diamond goby is good in anything over 30 gallons. Years ago I kept both in a 35gal newly cycled tank just fine.
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Marshall O
New member
I also disagree. Thought the same as you and got a LMB for my 55 that had been setup for 3 months. Ate all of the hair algae then slowly starved to death. Never touched any prepared foods. They need a larger, established tank IMO.
faithenfire
it's all IMO
i agree, my lmb did best with algae outbreaks. they would never eat prepared foods.
i like them as a beginner fish.
make sure your tank is completely cycled before you add any fish and qt the fish to avoid any issues-if possible
liveaquaria has a nice section for beginner sw fish. keep in mind that aggressive fish should be added to a tank last if at all.
I am a lover of damsel fish but most are not. they can be agressive, same with psuedo chromis. i found the same to be true with a sixline wrasse
small alien
The fungus is among us.
These are not good suggestions. Lawnmowers are actually kind of punchy and that's not nearly enough tank for a diamond goby. Your best bet is to read threads in the reef fish forum. Maybe for a month or more. You'll get a feel for things. Good luck.
small alien
The fungus is among us.
Escenius species blennies are more chill.
I would do the following.
1 flasher wrasse.
1 shrimp goby with shrimp.
1 royal gramma.
1 pair captive bred ocellaris clowns.
1 cleaner goby.
You want to think about behavior and what region of the tank different species will occupy. You want something on the bottom, some mid water fish, ect. And you want something swimmy, something perchy, ect.
I would do the following.
1 flasher wrasse.
1 shrimp goby with shrimp.
1 royal gramma.
1 pair captive bred ocellaris clowns.
1 cleaner goby.
You want to think about behavior and what region of the tank different species will occupy. You want something on the bottom, some mid water fish, ect. And you want something swimmy, something perchy, ect.
