The tank is an 8' 200g mixed reef (ultimately) tank. I've been struggling with the idea of a blonde naso but I'm feeling guilty that it'll outgrow it. Right now I've got a copperband, foxface, two clowns, valentini puffer and a diamond watchman goby. I'd like to get a magnificent foxface and my wife wants to get the obligatory Dory. Any ideas on a real nice center piece fish if I decide against the naso? My. Copperband is really healthy and I'd hate to get something that would overly stress him.
Center piece fish
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Regal Angelfish in my experience are among the most reef-safe large Angelfish. It really does depend on which kinds of coral you keep. If you keep really fleshy LPS such as Micromussa, Acans, etc. you may have a tough time keeping them. If you have corals more on the SPS side in your mixed reef, you're probably going to be fine. P. diacanthus is far and away my favorite Angelfish, and if you get a Red Sea or Maldives variant, with an orange belly, that'll be an absolute showstopper in your tank.
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Euphyllia in general should be fine, but blastos do pose a problem. For me, I'd still do it because I prefer fish over corals, but I totally get being wary about it. I'd be okay with seeing P. hepatus (Dory) in an 8 foot tank. I'd strongly recommend against the Naso in a 200, as they do get massive. Have you looked into the Orange Shoulder Tangs(Acanthurus olivaceus)? Those aren't as common as the others, won't be too expensive, and are still striking.
I suggest a pair of masked swallowtail angelfish. They are a lot more reef safe then some other angels. The male and female are so different it's like having 2 different center piece fish. Even reefers may not initially recognize they are the same species. I had them in my 180. I lost the female then lost the male when I moved but they are relatively hardy.
paphater
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I've thought about the achiles and I think if I went that route it would likely be my last fish added. Just so nothing for sure makes it in to the tank past qt.
I'll check out the masked swallowtail.
I'll check out the masked swallowtail.
Salty1962
Wrasse and SPS Lover
The only coral that my Regal went after were my Scolys. Of course one of them was a Master!:mad:
My regal occasionally nips at my SPS but no real damage. Fleshy LPS like trumpet corals, scolys, and acans were picked on pretty mercilessly so I removed those corals. My regal angel has also picked at various zoas but leaves some other colonies completely alone. Oddly, my blasto coral and two plate corals are never bothered. Chalices, mushrooms, favias, torch corals all never really bothered. Overall, it's a beautiful fish. Mine eats well and has been hardy. Slow growing though compared to most tangs.
If you don't really keep crabs and clams (and certain types of snails), a Australian Harlequin Tusk can be a beautiful centerpiece fish that won't bother corals. Mine is an active swimmer, but not as active as a tang or angel will be.
A male watanabei angel (Genicanthus watanabei) would make a great show fish. They're not commonly seen, and definitely have a striking color pattern. Since they are one of the planktivorous angels, it would be safe to assume he wouldn't bother any of your corals.
