60 Cube Stocking

[kraken14]

I am upgrading from my 20 gallon to a 60 cube in the next month or so and was wondering what a good display fish would be. The fish that are for sure going into this tank are as follows.

Current fish:
A pair of frostbite clowns
Mandarin Dragonet
Longnose Hawkfish (so far no shrimp deaths)

Current Inverts:
Fire Shrimp
2 Peppermint Shrimp
Nassarius snails
2 Fighting conch
2 RBTA

Corals:
Green monti cap
various zoas
Acans
Duncans
Frogspawn
Some type of red mushroom

I am looking for something that will swim out in the open and that is reef safe. I would also prefer that it is relatively easy to care for and will take to frozen foods well. I was looking into dwarf angels, but it seems that they are not particularly reef safe. Any suggestions for colorful display fish would be greatly appreciated.

 

[James M]

Coral beauty’s are one of the angelfish that have a lower to no chance of nipping corals.

 

[Jesterrace]

Correct me if I am wrong but isn't that a 24 inch tank all around? I would recommend a wrasse but most need around a 4 foot running length. A Flasher Wrasse might work given the additional width, but that seems to be pushing it.

https://aquarium-fish.liveaquaria.com/search?w=Flasher Wrasse

 

[Jesterrace]

Coral beauty’s are one of the angelfish that have a lower to no chance of nipping corals.

I would say better odds, but definitely not no chance. A lot of it depends on the type of corals that you have as well. Euphyllia Corals (ie Frogspawn, Hammer, Torch) tend to do better than many others when it comes to fish that are prone to nip. Actually the Pygmy Angels (ie Cherubfish or Flameback) are arguably the best odds of NOT having a coral nipper, but once again it isn't guaranteed. It also helps to have a well established tank with lots of algae growing and giving them plenty of seaweed/nori.

 

[kraken14]

Would scolymia be at risk with a Pygmy angel?

 

[kraken14]

Correct me if I am wrong but isn't that a 24 inch tank all around? I would recommend a wrasse but most need around a 4 foot running length. A Flasher Wrasse might work given the additional width, but that seems to be pushing it.

https://aquarium-fish.liveaquaria.com/search?w=Flasher Wrasse

Would the flasher wrasse compete with the mandarin for pods? I thought I read they do, but I could be thinking of another fish

 

[Jesterrace]

All fish eat pods and wrasses definitely do eat them, but the flasher isn't a specialist pod hunter that I am aware of and it generally eats regular food. If we were talking about a Melanurus Wrasse or Leopard Wrasse I would be more concerned, but not with a flasher.

 

[James M]

I would say better odds, but definitely not no chance. A lot of it depends on the type of corals that you have as well. Euphyllia Corals (ie Frogspawn, Hammer, Torch) tend to do better than many others when it comes to fish that are prone to nip. Actually the Pygmy Angels (ie Cherubfish or Flameback) are arguably the best odds of NOT having a coral nipper, but once again it isn't guaranteed. It also helps to have a well established tank with lots of algae growing and giving them plenty of seaweed/nori.

Simply why I said lower to no chance. Not just no chance

 

[Jesterrace]

Simply why I said lower to no chance. Not just no chance

I agree. Mine thus far has been well behaved with my Euphyllia, but I just added a few more frags to my tank (all Euphyllia except 1 Zoanthid) so we shall see how that goes.

 

[kraken14]

I'm mainly worried about my scoly. Would that potentially be in danger with a cherub angel?

 

[nereefpat]

Yes, possibly.

I would vote for a flasher wrasse too. The pods aren't really a concern. If you have enough pods for a mandarin, then a flasher wrasse won't make a difference. Make sure you have a lid.

 

[kraken14]

Here is what I am thinking for stocking now

Fish:
Clown pair
1 Green mandarin
1 Longnose hawkfish
1 Carpenter flasher wrasse
1 Filamented flasher wrasse
1 Exquisite firefish?

Does this seem likea good stocking list?

 

[Jesterrace]

Seems like a good list, the Firefish might spend a bit more time hiding than you like though.