Stumped with fish choices

[silvercharm]

I have been running a little 29 gallon saltwater tank for almost a year and I am enjoying it immensley. I have a pair of clownfish and a few beginner corals, mushrooms, leathers ect. I have got the opportunity now to a get a nice 50 gallon tank from a friend and it's getting setup in the next week or so. In the meantime I have been planning what to do with this bigger tank, I really have no clue what kind of fish to put in it that are fairly easy for a relative newbie like myself, and also reef safe. Seems like the kind of fish I like the look of from my online research, are all fish that require 100 gallon plus, and sadly that just isn't in the stars for me!
So far in my travels I have liked:
-Blenny (Midas, Lined or Starry)
-Firefish
-Banggai cardinal fish

I don't know if these are suitable. What other options are there for me and my tank size? What would be a good combination of fish? I really quite stumped as to what to do, and my LFS knows less than I do about marine fish, which is really quite sad, but that is another story!
Thanks for your suggestions

 

[Waters40]

Yeah, that is the hardest part of this hobby....seeing all the fish that won't work in your current tank lol. Unfortunately going from a 29 to a 50 doesn't give you a ton more of options. Maybe one of the Pygmy Angels? Without doing research, I believe they are somewhat reef safe and will fit in a 50? What about a Flame Hawkfish? They are awesome fish with good color and personality.

 

[SGT_York]

All three seem like good choices, Banggai's are ugly as can be but have tons of personality and they raise their babies in their mouths. Firefish are fun and easy fish, mine liked to hide and would dart in and out of the rocks which was entertaining to watch. and What's not to like about a blenny.

 

[DDon]

Some other colorful and interesting choices to consider:
Pygmy or Possum wrasse
Assessor
Chalk Bass
Royal Gramma
Black Cap Basslet
Shrimp Goby/pistol shrimp pair
Dartfish

Also look through live aquaria website to get some ideas. Once you come up with some stuff you like, try putting a stock list together and run it past Steve in the sticky at top of this forum.

 

[ShannyG]

I second using liveaquaria.com for research. I have been known to check their site from the fish store when I see something I like.
My general rule is 'peaceful only' fish. I have exactly two that are considered semi-aggressive, but they leave each other and everyone else alone.

 

[shesacharmer]

I did all my research for fish on liveaquaria. I wanted a lot of small fish vs. a few bigger fish so size and peacefulness was important to me. Make sure you take into account their max size when grown.

I put a Bangaii Cardinal in with a PJ Cardinal and the Bangaii beat up the PJ. The PJ now lives peacefully in my Refugium but all the rest have done terrific together.

I'd recommend a Flasher Wrasse as a possibility. I got Blue Gudgeon Dartfish but they hide all the time so I don't recommend them even though they are sweet and pretty.

 

[silvercharm]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I think its given me a good place to start so thanks!
Ok so here is my tentative fish plan:
Pair of clownfish (already have in my 29 gallon)
Bengaii cardinal
Orange Spot Goby
Firefish
Six Line or Carpenter Wrasse

Is this too many fish for 50 gallon? What, if anything, would you change?

 

[mike1024]

Try posting your tank size and proposed list here:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2068112

See the last few pages for examples.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I think its given me a good place to start so thanks!
Ok so here is my tentative fish plan:
Pair of clownfish (already have in my 29 gallon)
Bengaii cardinal
Orange Spot Goby
Firefish
Six Line or Carpenter Wrasse

Is this too many fish for 50 gallon? What, if anything, would you change?

I think stocking levels are fine, but I would discourage you from getting the sixline. They can get pretty nasty, particularly to any new fish or peaceful fish.

 

[SecretiveFish]

IMO, that is a good stocking level but that would be the maximum number/size of fish I would put in there. I have had an orange spotted goby for years and still enjoy watching him! Also if you were looking to swap out a fish, have you looked at Midas Blennies?

You have a lid right? I am still laughing about a post I saw awhile ago on here, "When I buy a firefish, I just pour it on the floor to save time." ETA this is just too true.

 

[Sk8r]

Blennies, gobies, (yellow watchman is fun) --- ONE chromis, no more; a royal gramma or other basslet. A fairy wrasse is ok--no large wrasse. I'd advise against even a dwarf angel: not enough available rock in a 50. 1 Dragonet ONLY with a mature 20 gallon fuge attached.

It's a tank idea for gobies, blennies, firefish, dartfish, or a clown pair. Also for corals, given appropriate lighting.