Best fish for 36” tank

[kelleymc]

I have a 57 gallon Seapora tank that’s 36” long. I’m looking to compile a wish list of the fish for this tank. I’d like a variety of colors, activity levels, and personality. Ideally some will have chores to do in the tank as well. Thoughts?

 

[kelleymc]

Should say they’ll be in a mixed reef community tank.

 

[ZoWhat]

Best fish for 36” tank?​

A 37" Grouper

 

[bradreef]

Yellow coris wrasse

 

[Kasrift]

I have a 57 gallon Seapora tank that’s 36” long. I’m looking to compile a wish list of the fish for this tank. I’d like a variety of colors, activity levels, and personality. Ideally some will have chores to do in the tank as well. Thoughts?

I posted this somewhere else as well, but assessor fish seem fun. They swim upside-down which could bring some fun motion to the tank.

 

[Geebs19]

Plenty of wrasses to pick from, clownfish, gobies, royal gramma, firefish, so many to pick from.

 

[Phil Steel]

pajama/banggai cardinals for minimal movement, royal gramma/black cap basslet for purple, perhaps a flame angel for red (although this is reef safe with caution), clowns are a no brainer for orange and perhaps a very small hippo tang? Yellow wise maybe a banana wrasse or yellow watchman goby?

 

[chousecat]

Midas or Starry Blenny

 

[kelleymc]

Thank you all for the suggestions so far!

 

[EricR]

I'm satisfied with my 4 fish in my 36" (40 gallon) tank but fish selection is highly personal.
*mine all get along and have varied personalities and habits so just for reference:
-- Clownfish - just 'cause
-- Tailspot Blenny is fun with lots of personality and potentially some algae-eating benefits although I'm not so sure about that
-- Bangaii Cardinal and Pajama Cardinal like to float around hunting pods from the rocks so they're at least interesting (to me)

One fish to consider (but I don't have one) is Pink Streaked Wrasse -- cool looking to me and potentially utilitarian (coral pests).
*was tempted to buy one but price/availability kept me away (so far)

 

[jkcoral]

A McCoskers flasher would add beautiful color and movement to the tank. Mine have always been up at the crack of dawn and swim, swim, swim all day sun up to sun down.

And I second a pink streaked wrasse. Hands down one of my favorite fish ever. If you get some ROE and get them eating a lot the first few days you have them, they turn out being bold and adventurous. Tons of character, even despite their “secretive” aura. Just make sure no one in the tank will pick on it.

 

[Nemo&Friends]

I do not agree with hypo tang suggested by Phil Steel, they grow very fast and 3 feet is too short for them. His other suggestions are good. It is not fun to re home a fish after you got attached to it.
Damsel comes in beautiful colors, but can be aggressive. Should be added last along with the clowns if you get some.
You can also look into shrimps, my coral banded shrimp is a lot of fun.

 

[kelleymc]

Some great ideas. Been researching many of these suggestions!

 

[Andreas' Reef]

Clownfish, fire goby, ywg, orchid dottyback, Springer's damselfish, lubbocks wrasse, flame angel, coral beauty, yellowhead jawfish, royal gramma.

 

[Kasrift]

@kelleymc people mentioned some cool wrasses. I think when I eventually get a larger tank, a Naoko wrasse is on my list with the aforementioned assessor's. Naoko wrasses like to "dive bomb" from what I've read, that with assessors that swim sideways and upside would make for a very entertaining tank!

 

[kelleymc]

Ordered these two to start!

Firefish Purple - Quarantined Fish

The Firefish Purple is a vibrant and elegant reef fish known for its glowing purple body, yellow face, and graceful hovering behavior that can be bought at Dr. Reef's Quarantined fish.

drreefsquarantinedfish.com

Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse - Quarantined Fish

Paracheilinus carpenteri Care Level Moderate Temperament Peaceful Color Form Bright red body with elongated dorsal fin; males show intensified colors when displaying Diet Carnivore Reef Compatible Reef-safe Water Conditions sg 1.020–1.025, 72–78°F, pH 8.1–8.4 Max Size 5" Family...

drreefsquarantinedfish.com