Suggestions for next fish.

[tntdsol]

I have a 40 gallon reef tank and wanted some advise on what fish would go good in it. I am looking for a couple of fish that might school together and not be shy. Right now I have a Maroon clown, Tang and Six line. The Tang is out almost all the time but for the others they only come out to feed. I want some fish with some color that are not going to hide when I walk next to the tank. I was thinking of getting 2 or 3 green chromis, but wanted something with a little more color.

Any suggestions?

 

[Sao870]

well first off the tang gets to big for your tank......... so you should trade it in for something.. i.e another clown to pair up with yours, but the Chromis are a great add

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[Potsy]

A 40 gallon is too small for a single tang. The smallest tangs require a minimum of 75 gallons/4ft of swim space, and many tangs require 6 to 8 ft of space. I once kept a yellow tang in a 75 gallon and it was a big mistake; at 6 inches in length it looked cramped in my small tank, nervously pacing and darting for cover. Now that I have a puny 50 gallon, I'll most certainly never own a tang... I yearn to keep one but it'd look ridiculous in such a small tank.

Marine fish will not school together in the confines of an aquarium unless it's gigantic.

The problem with adding new fish to your setup is that all three of your current residents will likely bully any new additions - maroons are mean, a tang would be quite territorial in such a tiny tank, and many sixlines will shred docile additions.

Assuming you keep the tang, you don't have any more room for more fish anyway. If you actually do sell/trade the tang, be sure to get a fish that can hold its own against the maroon and sixline... like a moderately aggressive dottyback.

 

[tntdsol]

I know the Tang will get too big for the 40 gallon, but by that time I should have a 72 bowfront up and running. I have always been told that once a clown is added to a tank that you cant add another one..... Not sure how true this is. By adding another clown will that bring out the one already got?

 

[aday2remmbr]

trade in the tang for something else, not many fish will school well in such a small tank if any. get rid of the tang asap

 

[kingfisher62]

A dottyback or royal gramma sounds good. Maybe an algae blennie or yellow watchman goby.
Have to agree with the tang feedback!

 

[tntdsol]

Thanks for the feedback on the tang. I was under the impression he would be fine in a 40 until I got 72 up and running. I will look at relocating him. What about adding a clown to a tank with one in it already? Is the one with the already established territory going to bully the new one?

So get rid of scopas, and have 2 clown, 1 sixline, 1 dart fish? Would it be too much to add a couple chromis?

 

[kingfisher62]

How about a yellow tailed damsel instead of the Chromis!

Pretty mellow as damsels go.

They are more of a royal purple or deep blue depending on your lighting , a flash gives the metallic blue when i take a pic with it.

 

[tntdsol]

Yea I think another clown and a couple damsels of some sort are a good choice. I have had a some yellow tails but they usually end up bullying the others so I move them out.

 

[Grassroots]

OK guys you need to chill out you the tang police have been out in full force.

I would look into Assessors, basslets, and hawkfish.

there are multiple species of each I listed that would be well suited for your aquarium and I think you will be pleased with any of them.

 

[tntdsol]

Grass, thanks for the positive reenforements. I will check out all of those. Not a big fan of hawk but like the other two.

 

[Potsy]

Thanks for the feedback on the tang. I was under the impression he would be fine in a 40 until I got 72 up and running. I will look at relocating him. What about adding a clown to a tank with one in it already? Is the one with the already established territory going to bully the new one?

So get rid of scopas, and have 2 clown, 1 sixline, 1 dart fish? Would it be too much to add a couple chromis?

I'm not sure the maroon would take too kindly to a second clown, unless it's a much smaller, second maroon. They might squabble a bit and then form a pair.

Here's what I'd do if I had a maroon in a tank that was going to be upgraded: I wouldn't add any more fish until I got that 72 up and running; once everything settled down in the 72, I'd add a nice sized bubbletip anemone, buy a second, smaller maroon clown, and enjoy the natural interaction. Bubbletips are rather hardy as far as anemones go.

Two chromis will eventually become one chromis in a small tank.

 

[nonstopfishies]

I wouldn't add any damsels, they will just bully other fish. Don't think the Maroon(also a damsel) will let another clown in, they are pretty vicious. The 6 line might not even allow any new inhabitants. You have some bruisers for a small tank. I would consider waiting to get the 72 set up and then add a couple small fish like people have suggested(basslets, gobies, etc.) then when your bruisers aren't established.

 

[Patriot54]

I wouldn't add any new fish until the 72 is set up. If you want to keep your maroon then I would add it last along with another, much smaller maroon for them to pair. Add your peaceful fish first