Suggestions

[TimeConsumer]

My 75g reef could use another fish and I can't make up my mind. I currently have 2 ocellaris clowns, a yellowtail damsel, a banggai cardinal, a mandarin, 2 bartlett anthias, and a squamipinnis anthia.

I would like a grazer so I'm naturally being drawn towards a tang. I'm thinking either a mimic lemonpeel or a Kole tang, or maybe a foxface instead.

Of course I could take it in another direction and go with some kind of fairy wrasse or a coris wrasse, maybe a different species of anthias (my favorite subfamily of fish), copperbanded butterfly (although worried about my Deresa with one), or perhaps a longnose hawkfish.

As you can see, I'm running in a few different directions. Anyone feel like helping me come to a decision? Also feel free to suggest something else if you like.

 

[RayL]

Have you considered a dwarf angel, a lot of good options with bright colours

 

[TimeConsumer]

I have considered it, but I'm really hesitant to take the risk that I'll get one that decides my acros and neptheas are delicious.

 

[cakemanPA]

If you are going with a tang in a 75g, a small bristle tooth would work for at least a while

 

[RDtrack]

Appears that you are lacking your large show fish.

If you prefer the anthias you could co with a borbonius. I know a 75 is somewhat on a smaller size but I've heard of people doing it. Also it should get along with your other anthias and provides yellow coloring. Only negatives price and it doesn't move around a lot if you want a fish that swims.

I like your comment about the mimic tang. I have one and love the color, also mine is not very aggressive. Other people will say you should stay with the yellow eye Kole tang. I just think it's a nice brown fish with a yellow eye. The mimic would also would provide some movement to the tank with your anthias. Would probably become your show fish.

Fairy wrasse are nice but I find that they can be aggressive; when trying to establish their territory; even if there aren't any other wrasses. Also most fairy wrasse are red/pink; or something more the color of your anthias. You'll your tank needs to be covered.

I'd stay away from a dwarf angel. I have a coral beauty. Which is a model citizen to my corals but the aggression is somewhat of a pain in the neck.

Good luck; you could go in so many different ways.

 

[Monkeyfish]

If you have a top on the tank you may want to look at fairy wrasses. They, generally get along fine with other fish and many species are active and colorful.

 

[TimeConsumer]

I think RDtrack has it nailed, I'm really looking for a fish to be a centerpiece of my tank. Now that I've come to realize that, it's made it even harder to decide! And yes, wrasses are a viable option for me because I have 1/4" screen tops.

I'm pretty sure the borbonious isn't for me ($$$). I've also pretty much ruled out the dwarf angels. Between the tangs I'm definitely a bigger fan of the mimic, but that decision will also be based heavily upon which is the better grazer.

When it comes to the wrasses this is where I find myself truly stumped. I'll be honest I've always overlooked and ignored wrasses, not sure why. So now I am kind of looking at them with fresh eyes. Here's the ones that have caught my attention so far: mystery wrasse, ornate wrasse, exquisite fairy wrasse, yellow coris wrasse, and lubbock's fairy wrasse. I'm not seeing a pattern here.

 

[cakemanPA]

My "show fish" in my 50g is my Purple Tilefish. The colors are amazing and it is always out an about.

 

[RDtrack]

When you say better grazer are you referring to tangs? I've read and seen that a mimic tang is more of a bottom grazer. Mine will feed on the live rock but seems to prefer the bottom. As for the kole tang I'm not sure on its grazing habits but I think more live rock.

As wrasses I know a little about them. Currently have five in my tank now; (2) eightline flashers, lineatus fairy, Margie, potters leopard.

The ones you mentioned are nice but I think there are some nicer ones. I'd look at a mccoskers (sp), leopards (not as hard as some people make them out to be. Jusr make sure they are eating before you bring it home), lineatus (expensive but by buying a juv you'll save money), hooded fairy (rare and expensive but beautiful), flame wrasse, eightline flasher (expensive but beautiful and always out).

These are just some of my favorites. Good luck.

For what this is I don't necessarily view my wrasses as my show fish. I wanted something bigger and a different color than red. So I view my mimic as this fish.

 

[mikem101]

I think a pair of small Japanese swallowtail angelfish would be awesome there is a huge gap in what people say is acceptable for these fish I've seen as small as 55 gallons up to 90 but they are REEF SAFE ANGELS and I think when they are grown with their long streamers they are beautiful!

 

[TimeConsumer]

My "show fish" in my 50g is my Purple Tilefish. The colors are amazing and it is always out an about.

Agreed, I love the colors on that fish.

When you say better grazer are you referring to tangs? I've read and seen that a mimic tang is more of a bottom grazer. Mine will feed on the live rock but seems to prefer the bottom. As for the kole tang I'm not sure on its grazing habits but I think more live rock.

Yes I was referring to the tangs. I hear any of the bristletooth tangs like the Kole are excellent grazers. But then I hear that the mimic is actually a great detritivore as well.

I think a pair of small Japanese swallowtail angelfish would be awesome there is a huge gap in what people say is acceptable for these fish I've seen as small as 55 gallons up to 90 but they are REEF SAFE ANGELS and I think when they are grown with their long streamers they are beautiful!

I agree they are beautiful fish. I've actually heard the genicanthus angels need larger tanks (125+) and prefer lower light conditions as many are deep water fish. Although I will do more research and keep them in mind.


As of right now the mimic lemonpeel tang is winning the race. But here's where things started getting interestiong. I was looking for some online and I found 2 different varities of Acanthurus pyroferus by the same retailer, see below.

The standard coloration for a juvenile mimic:
http://www.vividaquariums.com/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=01-3921-S&Category=Fish:Tangs&SortBy=Price

And a striking variation:
http://www.vividaquariums.com/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=01-3930-10&Category=Fish:Tangs&SortBy=Price

I'm definitely interested in the one with the blue accents. This is the only retailer I've seen that has a fish like that.

 

[mikem101]

nyaquatics has one http://www.nyaquatic.com/servlet/the-225/Yellow-Mimic-Tang/Detail but its just the yellow mimic tang like the first one you have up not a lemon peel like the second picture. also have you got a look at a Mystery Wrasse i love those guys?

 

[TimeConsumer]

nyaquatics has one http://www.nyaquatic.com/servlet/the-225/Yellow-Mimic-Tang/Detail but its just the yellow mimic tang like the first one you have up not a lemon peel like the second picture. also have you got a look at a Mystery Wrasse i love those guys?

I haven't seen one in person, but they are great looking fish. I may just have to overstock some more and get both! My skimmer could use a little extra load anyway.

 

[TimeConsumer]

I ended up going with Vivid Aquariums for my mimic. Here she is:

Been in quarantine for about 8 hours now and ate a little bit of mysis earlier.

 

[gsiegel]

Good luck! I have a mimic tang as well. Great fish and always grazing.

If you are still looking for a wrasse, although $$$ the Lineatus is a beautiful fish. Worth saving for IMO.

 

[TimeConsumer]

Good luck! I have a mimic tang as well. Great fish and always grazing.

If you are still looking for a wrasse, although $$$ the Lineatus is a beautiful fish. Worth saving for IMO.

I think I'm over the wrasse thing. For some reason they just don't do it for me. I think if I do any other fish I'll put in another tang, a Kole. Those two together should be the algae eating team of the century.

 

[rssjsb]

I don't think I would put a kole or other tang in a 75 with the mimic. They can be pretty nasty to other grazers.

 

[Monkeyfish]

^ +1 to this

 

[TimeConsumer]

Hm, good to know. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[small alien]

I think a pair of small Japanese swallowtail angelfish would be awesome there is a huge gap in what people say is acceptable for these fish I've seen as small as 55 gallons up to 90 but they are REEF SAFE ANGELS and I think when they are grown with their long streamers they are beautiful!

Beautiful fish but tank is too small.

Canary wrasses are beautiful and good for pest control.