What Would You Do?

[CrazyLionfish]

Just looking for personal experiences here. I know I've asked numerous questions similar to this, but I really want to know.

If you had a 40 gallon breeder reef tank with inverts, what fish would you stock it with?

I only have a false percula clownfish now and I'm open to any ideas. Preferably I'd like a pair or small group of fish instead of just one (unless pairing is too difficult).

Some very broad groups I'm considering:
-Cardinals
-Dwarf Angel (would LOVE one, but too risky)
-Gobies (preferably ones that swim around more then they hide)
-Wrasse

The tanks been up for about 7 months now and it is really my first "nanotank" and I'm not sure what some of the "best" fish are for this size tank.

I would really like an anthias, but have heard many times they require a larger tank, but never really understood why.

What would you stock the tank with? (fish wise)

 

[Aaron M.]

Cardinals are nice, you could maybe get a few threadfins. Why is a dwarf angel too risky? You could easily keep one of the littler ones. You could also try looking at psuedochromis and small hawkfish.

 

[M. Python]

rainford's goby and cleaner neon gobies

 

[CrazyLionfish]

About the dwarf angels, I've heard theres a chance (small or large) that they will eat corals and I'm not willing to risk it

Aren't psuedochromis's generally aggresive? Looking for more peaceful species.

 

[PelagicMagic]

Bi color blenny, maybe firefish ( in a group of 3 or more). rainford's are great at eating hair algae, or a long nose hawk. As always check to see what can be kept together

 

[Aaron M.]

I've heard the some angels may nips at corals but the only ones that I have seen that really do it are flames and regals. Cherub, potters, fishers, there are a few more that would be fine. Check out mimic blennies, they are really cool and pretty small and active.

 

[CrazyLionfish]

Thank you for your suggestions, very good.

Does anyone know why seemingly small anthias need a minimum of 75 gallons. I heard that was because most people keep them in a group which would require the min 75 gallons. I've also heard it is because they create a large amount of waste and must be fed around 3 times a day which a small tank wouldn't be able to handle? Is that correct?

I remmeber before someone said I could get a "Fathead Anthias", but many others posted against it after.

 

[reverendmaynard]

What about getting a small, juevie clown to pair with the one you have?

 

[OnTheReef]

I have an Orchid Dottyback (Pseudochromis fridmani) in one of my tanks. A very beautiful and interesting fish. He shovels gravel in his mouth to make burrows under the live rock and can disappear at will. He will also chase any other tankmates that get too close to his favorite cave, but he has never hurt any of the fish or inverts in the tank.