Stocking help!

[Mark Elliott]

Hi,

Can someone help me with choosing a fish for my mature 100 gal (60 inch long) reef?

The current stock is:

1 Yellow Tang
1 Fairy Wrasse (not sure what variety, but the under belly is white, the body red and it has a black dorsal).
1 Flame Angel
2 Percula Clowns
1 Purple Fire Fish
1 Blenny (blue / yellow)

Ideally I want more blue. Obviously an Angel is out and I don't want to try mixing wrasses either. I know I could drop a Regal Tang in but would space be an issue?

What would you do (I'm doing more thinking and not rushing to the shops).


Thanks


Mark

 

[JeremyT]

You could always get another fairy. Scotts is an example. There is also threadfin cardinals. Just a few thoughts.

 

[Fishyfreak031592]

maybe a mandarin, but i dont know if you want a fish that will be out more or one for looks or for show...but maybe an anthias? Or maybe a really prety wrasse

 

[Mark Elliott]

Thanks,

I'm not sure about another Fairy - the incumbent is pretty big and I don't think it would take kindly to another wrasse despite what the books say. (I don't think fish read books)

A Mandarin is a possibility - I'll see if there's a decent 'pod count first.

Has anyone kept a Pseudochromis flavivertex? I'd assume that like 99% of Pseudochromis it would be fairly easy if somewhat aggresive - nice colours and the right size I reckon.

Are there any reef safe (well nearly safe) butterflies?


Mark

 

[sunfish11]

Copper band butterfly is somewhat reef-safe depending on the individual. They are really good looking though and eat aiptasia, which is a big plus. If you get one though just make sure it is eating frozen food in the store before you bring it home. They have a rep for being hard to get feeding. Some die after they eat up all your aptasia and feather dusters because they wont eat prepared foods. Also, they are definitly not blue.

A great little blue fish is the standard everyday blue-green reef chromis. They swim all over and are very active and peaceful little fish. Mine look very blue under the halides.

How about one of these for color? It is a male Lyre tail anthias. Granted its pink and not blue, but very flashy and not to expensive.

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/lmiller11/MaleAnthias.jpg" border="0" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"></a>

Lisa

 

[bigbenji]

I'm studying the blue-throat trigger. It is said to be reef-safe as it will not pick on corals, usually. It may however dine on snails, crabs, shrimp, and clams. I only mention it because you have the room (100g) and its blue. Its also supposed to be the most timid trigger.
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=233

 

[Mark Elliott]

I like the chromis idea but I've never kept a shoal sucessfully. I tried years ago with a group of five which slowly declined to one.

What would you reckon the minimum viable group would be and have I got room?

Thanks

Mark

 

[cheeks69]

Has anyone kept a Pseudochromis flavivertex? I'd assume that like 99% of Pseudochromis it would be fairly easy if somewhat aggresive - nice colours and the right size I reckon.

I had one and couldn't wait to get rid of it, IME they're worst then Damnsels just very aggresive particularly with smaller passive fish.

BTW beautiful Anthias Lisa ! That's my choice one male Anthias.