favorite cheap and entertaining fish?

[Ro Bow]

I'm soon getting a bta. will it hurt it to the point of death? I have very low rockwork so will it even touch it?

A bta would. I would read through this article. It is by an incredible author who has written a book about reefing which i have read over a bunch of times. He loves pipefish and wrote an article here on r2r about them. Its a great read and has a bunch of summarized information from loads of research.

Pipefish

I would like to discuss one of my favorite fish, the pipefish. Pipefish to me are so much different from normal fishy looking fish that I can't help but to love them. There are more things different in pipefish than similar to normal looking...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[EugeneVan]

That is an awesome picture.

They are definitely cute, except for when they perch upside down under and arch and stare at you with judgmental eyes haha.

They did the judgmental eyes to me all the time especially when the feeding time is close by

 

[Badboyan93l]

I heard food can go scarce with cleaner wrasses, which is unfortunate because they're so entertaining big sad

that's a myth LOL. Just get one that eats mysis, then you can start feeding it frozen homemade and then flakes or pellets. BUT make sure it eats at the store.

 

[zoomonster]

I heard food can go scarce with cleaner wrasses, which is unfortunate because they're so entertaining big sad

IMO not true. Mine eats everything like the other fish. Now my sixline seldom eats but is usually fat as a pig from eating pods but no shortage of those either. My cleaner will entertain himself doing endless loops around a MP40 like a rat on a wheel.

 

[mushrommy]

A bta would. I would read through this article. It is by an incredible author who has written a book about reefing which i have read over a bunch of times. He loves pipefish and wrote an article here on r2r about them. Its a great read and has a bunch of summarized information from loads of research.

Pipefish

I would like to discuss one of my favorite fish, the pipefish. Pipefish to me are so much different from normal fishy looking fish that I can't help but to love them. There are more things different in pipefish than similar to normal looking...

www.reef2reef.com

I just read it. Looks like I have to decide over bta or pipefish.

 

[Catnip885]

I do love my dottyback. He is awesome but definitely spicy.

 

[Rob U]

I didn't have good luck picking a lawnmower blenny. I picked one that wasn't eating but I plan on getting another and trying again. I heard bicolor blennies will eat some coral is this true?

I don’t think bicolor blennies eat any corals, they graze on some types of algae but to my knowledge they are completely reef safe.

As with all fish they need to be in the right environment and with compatible tank mates, but I think is particularly important for blennies and gobies. If you did get a lawnmower blenny then a bicolor would not be a good idea since they’re both algae grazing blennies. There are a lot of good articles if you do a net search for them.

Overall, I think blennies and gobies exhibit very interesting and funny behavior, and are fairly inexpensive. But many of them have specialized environment needs and are tricky. Others are easy and adapt well. They’re small fish so big aggressive tank mates can be dangerous and also inhibit their feeding and behavior.

Anyway, I really recommend Bicolor blennies and think you should consider one. Mine have been very hardy, they eat well and explore the tank. Males seem to adapt better than females in my experience. They are very cute, intelligent and interesting. And are pretty brave at being out and about if conditions are right for them.

One thing to watch out for is circulation pumps like VorTech, or any circulation pump that you turn off for tank feeding. Both my bicolors have been persistent about perching in the pump when it’s turned off. They love to perch in there and peek out.

 

[Vsnutz]

I've always liked my six-line wrasse. I need another one once my tank gets going.

 

[mushrommy]

I'm going with mandarin dragonet. once I get the money! I have a large amphipod population.

 

[Pudgeshambley]

I don’t think bicolor blennies eat any corals, they graze on some types of algae but to my knowledge they are completely reef safe.

As with all fish they need to be in the right environment and with compatible tank mates, but I think is particularly important for blennies and gobies. If you did get a lawnmower blenny then a bicolor would not be a good idea since they’re both algae grazing blennies. There are a lot of good articles if you do a net search for them.

Overall, I think blennies and gobies exhibit very interesting and funny behavior, and are fairly inexpensive. But many of them have specialized environment needs and are tricky. Others are easy and adapt well. They’re small fish so big aggressive tank mates can be dangerous and also inhibit their feeding and behavior.

Anyway, I really recommend Bicolor blennies and think you should consider one. Mine have been very hardy, they eat well and explore the tank. Males seem to adapt better than females in my experience. They are very cute, intelligent and interesting. And are pretty brave at being out and about if conditions are right for them.

One thing to watch out for is circulation pumps like VorTech, or any circulation pump that you turn off for tank feeding. Both my bicolors have been persistent about perching in the pump when it’s turned off. They love to perch in there and peek out.

I currently have a yellow watchman goby. I was thinking about getting a tailspot blenny. From everything I have read they seem to be compatible but I was just wondering if you have an opinion or have ever had that combination

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Blennies are probably the most entertaining cheap fish

My lawn mower has quite the personally

 

[Dude64]

Hi there!
I was wondering about your favorite cheap but entertaining fish. I wanna see other's opinions to see if I could get a new fun fish for my tank... Which is looking a little empty.
My personal favorite are the only fish I have in the tank, meh clownfish. I'd be interested to see your favs.

If you're looking for cheap entertainment, you need to consider the ultimate in cleanup and mystery... the molly. A common freshwater species, it aclimates well to salt. I've had black, orange, and Zebras (pictured) as of recent. The curious element here is putting them in saltwater is likely to make a female pop out a half dozen little ones. They'll simply be a snack for most all salt water critters, but a breeder box will let you grow a few. I had 9 in there at one point. The longest I had one set in the tank was about 6 months.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Starry blenny

 

[Rugops]

I find damsels to be very personable despite the aggression

 

[Cheezle]

If I haven't already commented, Citron Goby lol

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Starry blennies are always fun IMO

 

[lrlivingston]

My Midas Blenny is my favorite. Its like a puppy dog. Always begging for food and curls up on top rock and watches. Swims around a lot in open.

 

[CasperOe]

I love my shoal of blue chromies! They're so fun to watch and they give the tank so much life!

 

[j.falk]

Domino Damsel - but only when they are still small.

 

[Budman93]

I currently have a yellow watchman goby. I was thinking about getting a tailspot blenny. From everything I have read they seem to be compatible but I was just wondering if you have an opinion or have ever had that combination

Have both they almost never interact with each other. The goby will be guarding a cave in the sand and the blenny will be crusing the rockwork eating algae