Best fish for small frag tank?

Roosterjack · Nov 6, 2019

I have a shallow frag tank that runs about 8 gallons of water. It is doing well but I would like a fish in there as well. I pondered a small wrasse but the shallow depth and lack of top will be an almost certain trip to the floor.

Anyone have any good suggestions?

Iván Olalla · Nov 6, 2019

For views and small algae control a tailspot blennie, great personality!

Daniel@R2R · Nov 7, 2019

8 gallons is pretty limiting. Not sure what I can recommend for algae or pest control in a tank that size as all the ones I'd usually recommend would need a tank larger than that. However, I'm sure others will have good ideas. Bump for more input.

Silent · Nov 7, 2019

Flame hawk would be cool or a little yellow watchman goby.

Jesterrace · Nov 8, 2019

Silent said:
Flame hawk would be cool or a little yellow watchman goby.

Not for an 8 gallon tank though. @the OP pretty much any fish that would work in that tank will need a cover of some kind on it. A pink streaked wrasse would be a bit cramped but it could work as the only fish in the tank. Tailspot blenny would be a good choice as it will help a bit with algae control. If you aren't doing SPS then a clown goby could be fun.

Roosterjack · Nov 8, 2019

Looks like I may need to make a cover for it that doesn’t cut PAR much. Mostly LPS frags and zoas with two Kessil A80’s.

evolved · Nov 8, 2019

Jesterrace said:
A pink streaked wrasse would be a bit cramped but it could work as the only fish in the tank.

Agree. I've done a pink streak in a 14g frag tank just fine before.

Roosterjack said:
Looks like I may need to make a cover for it that doesn’t cut PAR much.

Clear mesh has a negligible effect. I don't have a link to PAR data handy, but those who have checked it always show a tiny/meaningless effect.

kireek · Nov 8, 2019

A Springeri Damsel would look sharp.

shrimped · Nov 8, 2019

if there isnt any smaller fish or plans for more fish: pin stripped wrasse, sixline, or four line (i think four lines dont get too large but idk lol). My pin striped does a good job at eating excess amphipods and destroyed the flat worm population.

Silent · Nov 8, 2019

Flame hawk and yellow watchman goby dont jump or even swim much. Either would work.

minus9 · Nov 8, 2019

4% loss with screen top isn't much to worry about, plus you keep the occupants in the tank.

nereefpat · Nov 8, 2019

Silent said:
Flame hawk and yellow watchman goby dont jump or even swim much. Either would work.

Hawks and gobies are definitely jumpers.

Silent · Nov 8, 2019

Those 2 types just perch on the rock. Never heard of them ever jumping out of a tank.

nereefpat · Nov 8, 2019

A couple examples of each, just from a quick search, just on this website.

yellow goby jumped out :/

hello friends I have a 15G tank with a hood. it's a net and tied to my auto topup tube holder. But for the first time my yellow goby managed to jump outside :( I have no idea why, because he wont even swim up to the surface. He will always stay in the sand bed. Even while feeding. My water...

www.reef2reef.com

Dracula goby jumped out! :(

Well I have a innovative marine 38 gallon tank with a glass lid on it. This morning I woke up and he was on the floor dead. The lid was on. There's like 1/4 in to 3/4 inch gap all around the tank when the top is sitting on. Does anyone have any ideas to seal the tank or at least make the...

www.reef2reef.com

Well today started as a bad day my long nose hawkfish jumped out of my tank

Well today has been a very sad day this morning I found my longnose hawkfish dried up on the floor I had him 1 month and he was doing extremely well he was my first saltwater fish. The guy I bought my tank from had made a semi cover using egg crate it was covered on the sides and in the middle...

www.reef2reef.com

Hawkfish question

Hello- Falco, Flame and Long Nose. Which one of them are less aggressive? I have A Yellow Assesor, Banggai, Clownfish and a Starry Blenny. Corals -few LPS and a Monti. Which Hawkfish will be ideal to add? Tank size is IM40. Thank you.

www.reef2reef.com

Flame Hawkfish care

Not if fed a well balanced diet. Really??? Are you sure? What are you feeding yours? I would love to have one....but....I got 3 shrimps that I don't want to lose.

www.reef2reef.com

Silent · Nov 8, 2019

Cool. Look hard enough and you can find an example for anything. @Roosterjack , just trying to help.

nereefpat · Nov 8, 2019

Silent said:
Cool. Look hard enough and you can find an example for anything. @Roosterjack , just trying to help.

Didn't have to look "hard" at all. Like I said, a quick search from only this message board.

minus9 · Nov 8, 2019

Pretty much consider all fish as jumpers and you won't be surprised.

Roosterjack · Nov 8, 2019

I appreciate ALL the comments, guys.

minus9 · Nov 8, 2019

Btw, small blennies and gobies would be fine. Barnacle blennies, neon goby, small shrimp gobies. I would use snails and maybe one urchin for algae control.

Jesterrace · Nov 8, 2019

shrimppsacc said:
if there isnt any smaller fish or plans for more fish: pin stripped wrasse, sixline, or four line (i think four lines dont get too large but idk lol). My pin striped does a good job at eating excess amphipods and destroyed the flat worm population.

In an 8 gallon tank? Way too cramped for any of those fish, especially the pin striped aka Melanurus Wrasse.