A friendly addition to my tank

[JulesH]

Good Evening

I have a WB 85 gallon frag tank, mainly stocked with LPS and some SPS corals. I have three fish, a Mandarin Dragonet pair and a Diamond Watchman Goby. They all seem to get on together. It's amusing to see the Goby and the two Mandarins, perched in the Goby's sand burrow. I was thinking about adding one more fish for colour and movement for the mid to top of the tank. The fish has got to be amiable and does not dine on my corals.

I was thinking about a small Flame Hawkfish, but I have heard they can be quite the bully?

Any ideas please?

J

 

[Lps_lover12]

Check out royal grammas, I really like mine. They act all tough by opening their mouth wide but I’ve never seen or heard of them biting another fish and completely reef safe. I’m not sure what wrasses can go in that size tank so let’s get the experts in here. @Slocke @i cant think @Crabby48 @SaltyT

 

[Slocke]

Tank dimensions? Sand depth?

 

[dstockwell]

Yellow Candy Hogfish

 

[Crabby48]

Yes tank dimensions sand or no sand. Also if you want a hawk add it last. They are mostly a problem to new fish additions. Shallow tanks stay away from flashers. Also keep a cover as wrasse will jump if get frighten

 

[1112-425XL]

I have a pair of blue/green chromis. They're always together and they add color and movement to the middle/top of the tank.

 

[i cant think]

dimensions and sand are needed to know what sorts of fish you can put in (Not only wrasse but all fish).

 

[JulesH]

Tank dimensions? Sand depth?

Sand depth - 1 to 1.5 inches, tank dimensions 36 x 24 x 17.

 

[JulesH]

Yellow Candy Hogfish

I had to look that one up, a lovely looking fish.

 

[Slocke]

Sand depth - 1 to 1.5 inches, tank dimensions 36 x 24 x 17.

So for that dimension and wrasse your best bet is small halichoeres like the radiant, possum wrasse, pink streak, and leopard wrasse. A basslet or cardinal fish would work or a water table goby like a firefish or a ribbon goby. Hawkfish aren't really water column fish and they sometimes can get very territorial with gobies. I have one that killed gobies.

If it were me I'd look for a healthy leopard wrasse as they are very pretty and peaceful.

 

[exnisstech]

Maybe a Dwarf angel? I have a coral beauty and a Flame angel (seperate tanks). They add a nice splash of color and haven't bothered any fish or coral tho I've read the the flame can be coral nippers mine has been fine. You could also do a bristle tooth tang. A yellow eyed white tail is a beautiful fish and will help with algae control too.

EDIT: I'd pass on the hawkish. While pretty and personable they tend to hang out on the rocks rather than being an active swimmer. I also couldn't keep snails or hermits when I had one.

 

[JulesH]

So for that dimension and wrasse your best bet is small halichoeres like the radiant, possum wrasse, pink streak, and leopard wrasse. A basslet or cardinal fish would work or a water table goby like a firefish or a ribbon goby. Hawkfish aren't really water column fish and they sometimes can get very territorial with gobies. I have one that killed gobies.

If it were me I'd look for a healthy leopard wrasse as they are very pretty and peaceful.

Thanks for getting back, I shall have a look at the afore mentioned fish.

 

[JulesH]

Maybe a Dwarf angel? I have a coral beauty and a Flame angel (seperate tanks). They add a nice splash of color and haven't bothered any fish or coral tho I've read the the flame can be coral nippers mine has been fine. You could also do a bristle tooth tang. A yellow eyed white tail is a beautiful fish and will help with algae control too.

EDIT: I'd pass on the hawkish. While pretty and personable they tend to hang out on the rocks rather than being an active swimmer. I also couldn't keep snails or hermits when I had one.

Thanks for getting back, I shall have a look at the afore mentioned fish. I have been tempted by a coral beauty, but slightly afraid he is going to tuck into my corals?

 

[exnisstech]

Thanks for getting back, I shall have a look at the afore mentioned fish. I have been tempted by a coral beauty, but slightly afraid he is going to tuck into my corals?

Mine is in a smaller tank than yours 22x20x20 It has been great and grazes on the rocks similar to tangs. But fish are individuals with no behavioral guarantees.