Choosing Fish

James Moreno · Dec 31, 2017

hi , My 60 just cycled and I added some corals from my 10 gallon that are doing really good and I want to add fish but what is the biggest fish I can add in a 60 gallon reef?

Dilan Patel · Dec 31, 2017

Can we get some dimmensions as well as what you are looking for? Are you planning an upgrade in the future, are you planning on giving a afish away if the fish outgrows your tank, are you with this fish for the long haul.etc? Any other info you would like to tell us so we can help focus some nice fish as well as pricing

HB AL · Dec 31, 2017

Queen trigger;Vamp

James Moreno · Dec 31, 2017

Dilan Patel said:
Can we get some dimmensions as well as what you are looking for? Are you planning an upgrade in the future, are you planning on giving a afish away if the fish outgrows your tank, are you with this fish for the long haul.etc? Any other info you would like to tell us so we can help focus some nice fish as well as pricing

Thank you ,the I would like fish that I can keep for as long as they live in the tank without our growing it and fish under $70

Dilan Patel said:
Can we get some dimmensions as well as what you are looking for? Are you planning an upgrade in the future, are you planning on giving a afish away if the fish outgrows your tank, are you with this fish for the long haul.etc? Any other info you would like to tell us so we can help focus some nice fish as well as pricing

Thanks , The tank is 48 inches long , 12 inches wide and 25 inches tall . I would like fish that don’t outgrow the tank and under $70 range . I’ve tried angel fish and had no luck with them and I don’t think I will upgrade unless my parents let me ( I’m 15...) Thanks for the help .

James Moreno · Dec 31, 2017

HB AL said:
Queen trigger;Vamp

Triggers get way to big and aren’t even reef safe

PGT253 · Dec 31, 2017

I wouldnt recommend tangs, unless its a kole tang. You can also do flame angel or potter's angel.

James Moreno · Jan 1, 2018

PGT253 said:
I wouldnt recommend tangs, unless its a kole tang. You can also do flame angel or potter's angel.

i really want to avoid angels

Coral Hygiene · Jan 1, 2018

A pair of clowns, chromis, a watchman goby with a pistol shrimp, midas blenny, longnose hawkfish... there are a lot. Wrasses are also an option- like a flasher wrasse or a fairy wrasse. I have a melanuras in my tank and is fun to watch

HB AL · Jan 1, 2018

James Moreno said:
Triggers get way to big and aren’t even reef safe

That was a joke the queen trigger, although they don't all get way to big and some are 100% reef safe as my niger, bluethroat and sargassum don't touch a coral and not even my 2 clams, hermits, snails and cleaner shrimp. Although I keep my fish well fed.

HB AL · Jan 1, 2018

To the op, clowns, certain triggers, wrasses etc... too many fish to list, just read up on fishes you might want and see what they eat and how they might get along with others, the internet is full of good info. I wish I had the online resources that are available now even just 15 years ago you learned by trial and error especially 30 years ago. If you have a good lfs close to you ask them all the questions you have, they should answer them for you a good way to learn things from people who do it for a living.

James Moreno · Jan 1, 2018

So far I was thinking a Kole tang , lawnmower blenny , pair of clowns , goby and shrimp pair , and possibly a wrasse .

Lasse · Jan 1, 2018

Look at my build thread - most of these fish I have is perfect for a 60 gallon (my is app 90 G). Stay with the small ones - you will have more of a living reef and not get this back and forward swimming as you will have if you get at fish that to large or need more swimming area.

Sincerely Lasse

Dilan Patel · Jan 1, 2018

So lots of great options like others have stated wrasses are a great option. They add a lot of color and are not too expensive and some of them can do jobs for your reef...I would avoid sixline wrasse no matter what though. The kole tang might be pushing it. It helps that you have a 4ft tank but for the long haul I would worry that it would outgrow the tank even though it is one of the smaller tangs. i had a 55 gallon not too long ago like a week ago and I had a melanarus wrasse, 2 black clarki clowns and a purple firefish. You could do some firefish or a dottyback love these fish but are aggressive so only get one of them if you do. Schooling fish are always cool to se such as chromis. Any specific colors or fish you had in mind?

James Moreno · Jan 1, 2018

Dilan Patel said:
So lots of great options like others have stated wrasses are a great option. They add a lot of color and are not too expensive and some of them can do jobs for your reef...I would avoid sixline wrasse no matter what though. The kole tang might be pushing it. It helps that you have a 4ft tank but for the long haul I would worry that it would outgrow the tank even though it is one of the smaller tangs. i had a 55 gallon not too long ago like a week ago and I had a melanarus wrasse, 2 black clarki clowns and a purple firefish. You could do some firefish or a dottyback love these fish but are aggressive so only get one of them if you do. Schooling fish are always cool to se such as chromis. Any specific colors or fish you had in mind?

Some bright colored fish that’s all

James Moreno · Jan 1, 2018

How about this a Salfin blenny , diamond watchman goby , 4 blue reef chromis, pair of clowns, and a dotty back . Anything else I can add ?

tdileo · Jan 1, 2018

James Moreno said:
How about this a Salfin blenny , diamond watchman goby , 4 blue reef chromis, pair of clowns, and a dotty back . Anything else I can add ?

That would work, just make sure you have a good mix of swimming room and rockwork for hiding spots. If you are using dry rock, about 45 pounds would probably be perfect for that balance. Make sure to build some structures like caves so that fish can hide and feel more at home.

Dilan Patel · Jan 1, 2018

Diamond back gobies need a good amount of pods to eat since they constantly sift the sand daily. Also i remember reading somewhere that vhromis are better in odd numbers than even. I can see that due to the fact I had like 12 chrmois and now have had 3 chromis for about 2 years now. I like the look of some reef safe wrasses instead of the goby as they are a little easier to keep and can be fed easier frozen and pellet foods.

James Moreno · Jan 1, 2018

Dilan Patel said:
Diamond back gobies need a good amount of pods to eat since they constantly sift the sand daily. Also i remember reading somewhere that vhromis are better in odd numbers than even. I can see that due to the fact I had like 12 chrmois and now have had 3 chromis for about 2 years now. I like the look of some reef safe wrasses instead of the goby as they are a little easier to keep and can be fed easier frozen and pellet foods.

A six line wrassse ? I read that they are aggressive. If I add it last would that work ?