Suggestions for clam safe centerpiece fish?

[trackhazard]

Tank dimensions are 36"x24"x22". Looking for something colorful and active as a centerpiece that won't pick at clams. Clam is 12"+ if that makes a difference.

Looking for pair of fish or a single. Probably something in the 4-6" range.

Any suggestions?

-Charlie

 

[Blown 346]

What other fish do you have? or will these fish be the only ones in the tank?


Edit... It also depends on what price point you have.


I myself have always been a fan of the Anthias, the square backs. they do well in pairs and provide alot of color.

 

[bullitr]

Suggestions for clam safe centerpiece fish?

Joculator
Mitratus
Declivis

All Shirley approved
Their other tank are full of anthias already ...

 

[DSPs]

Another vote for anthias My new build is 36x24x18 and I'm putting anthias as my centerpiece fish because there so active and one of the most colorful, If not anthias then Id say some kind of wrasse, Flame wrasse and Scotts fairy are my favorites

 

[trackhazard]

Only other fish will be a pair of clowns. Maybe a couple of yellow tailed damsels for additional movement. Price is not too much of an issue. Not gonna go grab a $1000 fish but I'm comfortable paying for something nice.

I was looking at anthias. Maybe the biggest, reddest male squareback or lyretail I can find. He can play king of the tank. Hardy and active.

Butterflies are nice but after seeing Shirley's mitratus go down so fast, I might be a little gun shy. It would look nice in the tank though.

Not a huge fan of wrasses.

Thanks for suggestions.

-Charlie

 

[IUfan]

Not hi jacking the thread, but who's Shirley? I'm presuming it's Bullitr? Not familiar with screen names yet.

Just saw the post about mitratus, and interested to know more about your experience with them?

Thanks

 

[trackhazard]

Mitratus starting on page 12:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2030311&page=12

-Charlie

 

[bullitr]

Charlie I pick up a flashing tilefish today I think its really cool
Joculator is available at Sdc now. I saw a couple today

 

[trackhazard]

Oh man, nice pickup. Tilefish are so cool. Having a big group of them in a huge aquarium would make for a really nice display. But I am a fan of super clean shallow sand bed/bare bottom so I don't think I'll ever own any.

Joculator...I got to say they don't really do anything for me. But then, you're talking to a guy whose favorite fish is Pseudocheilinops ataenia followed by the flame angel I picked up from Aaron at SPS a while back. I don't have expensive tastes.

-Charlie

 

[bullitr]

Oh man, nice pickup. Tilefish are so cool. Having a big group of them in a huge aquarium would make for a really nice display. But I am a fan of super clean shallow sand bed/bare bottom so I don't think I'll ever own any.

Joculator...I got to say they don't really do anything for me. But then, you're talking to a guy whose favorite fish is Pseudocheilinops ataenia followed by the flame angel I picked up from Aaron at SPS a while back. I don't have expensive tastes.

-Charlie

I have few different tilefish now
golden
purple
and now disco!!!! lol

I don't like uber expensive fish neither, I tried expensive fish but its too much worrying that I can't enjoy my tank. I prefer unusual, very colorful, cheap and with wow factor .the most expensive i have now is about $200 after significant discount.

 

[jlanger]

I was looking at anthias. Maybe the biggest, reddest male squareback or lyretail I can find. He can play king of the tank. Hardy and active.

-Charlie

I added a trio of female lyretails in my 120gal last year and after a couple of months, the dominant female transitioned into the male.
And the male is definitely the king.
He doesn't harass any of the other fish (other than keeping his females in check), but he will constantly display his fins and make sure you take notice that he is in there.

Great group to add to any reef.
Amazing array of bright colors and reef safe!

 

[teemee]

+1 on your favorite fish - they are awesome!
What about a multibar angel or leopard wrasse? The choati is awesome and v. colourful...
I know you said no wrasses, but the pink streak pygmy is one

 

[DSPs]

Leopard wrasse would be and awesome centerpiece fish!

 

[trackhazard]

+1 on your favorite fish - they are awesome!
What about a multibar angel or leopard wrasse? The choati is awesome and v. colourful...
I know you said no wrasses, but the pink streak pygmy is one

Yeah. But its so small and unassuming. Most wrasses are so active, maybe too active. My wife had a green coris, a melanurus and a mystery in her 140. The mystery was sufficiently mellow but the coris and melanurus were always racing around, spooking everyone, splashing left and right and just acting like hyperactive jerks. Her tank was so much more peaceful after she removed the two.

Multibars are really cool but aren't they pretty nippy with corals and clams?

-Charlie

 

[bullitr]

Charlie how about small Sudanese Red Sea regal angel?

Pictilis anthias
Borbonious anthias
Bimaculus anthias

 

[SDguy]

Charlie how about small Sudanese Red Sea regal angel?

Pictilis anthias
Bimaculus anthias

I personally think the tank is too small for those fish.

How about a smaller and very attractive pair of fathead anthias (I like them better than borbs)?

 

[bullitr]

Yes the Sudanese regal will get big but he can always transfer it to Shirley tank so she can have a pair lol

I have a pair in my tank and extra one for my friend since its very hard to come by
If one or both do great I will be so happy.
Also I am qt them separately.