Favorite fish for SPS systems?

[Quiverfull]

I need to increase my stock of fish in my spa dominant system. Would like to hear what other's opinions are regarding their favorites. I have had anthias and reef chromis but can never get them to last very long. I'm thinking about some less aggressive damsels (blue sapphires, Roland's, etc.) as they seem to be hardy. I have one large Melanurus wrasse, a blue hippo and white tail tangs, a scarlet hawk and purple pseudochromis and several cardinals. The tank is a standard 120 with about 200g total system water volume.

 

[KrisReef]

I keep fish for algae control and nutrient cycling. Your current list is pretty good. If you go damsel, get the blue/black one(s) that eat flatworms (had to look it up Springeri Damsel.
I like my Harlequin tusk for eatting and raising nutrients.
Don't get clowns. The nem may wander and they bite like they own the place.

 

[Tonycass12]

Bristle tooth tang, foxface, 6 line wrasse, couple clowns, clown gobies

I have all of these fish. The bristletooth tang and foxface I have are great grazzers, 6 line for pest police and the clown gobies are always jumping between branches on the acros. The clown just because how do you have a reef tank without em. I would personally stay away from the damsels too much aggression in my experience.

 

[dedragon]

Bristle tooth tang, foxface, 6 line wrasse, couple clowns, clown gobies

I have all of these fish. The bristletooth tang and foxface I have are great grazzers, 6 line for pest police and the clown gobies are always jumping between branches on the acros. The clown just because how do you have a reef tank without em. I would personally stay away from the damsels too much aggression in my experience.

Lol, I was gonna say to stay away from the 6 line wrasse as they are notoriously aggressive and bite fins of other fish as well.

Springeri damselfish and azures are both very peaceful fish with low aggression if any at all. Other damsels are a different story but these 2 in particular are good guys and springeri are supposed to be good pest control as well

 

[Tonycass12]

Lol, I was gonna say to stay away from the 6 line wrasse as they are notoriously aggressive and bite fins of other fish as well.

Springeri damselfish and azures are both very peaceful fish with low aggression if any at all. Other damsels are a different story but these 2 in particular are good guys and springeri are supposed to be good pest control as well

I always hear that but out of the ones I've kept in numerous tanks I've never had any issues w aggressive 6lines. Damsels on the other hand.... but I haven't had the species mentioned.

 

[dedragon]

Leopard wrasse make great tank inhabitants that pick at rockwork all day long. They are hard to find eating but if they are and have full stomachs they are actually pretty easy to care for. The bigger problem with them is the fact that many come in dead already to stores so they are reluctant to order more

I always hear that but out of the ones I've kept in numerous tanks I've never had any issues w aggressive 6lines. Damsels on the other hand.... but I haven't had the species mentioned.

Yea other damsel species are a no go for me as well. I had a 6 line wrasse that would chase my hippo tang and anthias and literally bite off parts of their fins. Never again for me. It seems these guys fall into the hit or miss category. It was also added to the system last so it wasnt a tank age thing where it already had an established tank and new intruders

 

[ScottB]

Going to agree with several people here on One Spot Foxface, any bristletooth species, maybe an algae (or starry) blenny, and the springeri.

You'd be hard pressed to ever find any algae in my systems.

 

[rtparty]

Might get too big but a golden lined rabbit fish is a great addition. Algae control galore plus lots of poop.

I love anthias! Source them from a good source and feed multiple times per day. I use Dr Reef for mine and they are fantastic. I went with Resplendent/Tierra based on Dr Reefs recommendation.

 

[homer1475]

Wrasses, wrasses, and more wrasses!

Perfect fish for an SPS system. They come in so many different colors, and most get along great with others.

 

[JDCagley]

Wrasses, wrasses, and more wrasses!

Perfect fish for an SPS system. They come in so many different colors, and most get along great with others.

how are you wrasse keepers doing - open lid - closed lid? I would like some, but do NOT want a lid.

 

[skimmerman]

Best fish I ever purchased is a asfur Angel. Had plague of majono anemones and he cleaned them right out. Never bothers the corals

 

[homer1475]

You most definitely need a lids with any fish, IMO.

Wrasses are notorious for jumping though.

 

[bnord]

have 5 wrasses in 180 SPS dominant - all getting along, and the 6 line and smallish Coris seem to be more focused in pest control.

I for one am 0 for 2 on fox faces being decent algae grazers - bristle-tooths are more reliable here

only other add would be a basslet of sorts - black cap, gramma, etc, - no functional job except they are pleasant to look at

Added a CB cinnamon clown and can't get the bugger out.

 

[Quiverfull]

have 5 wrasses in 180 SPS dominant - all getting along, and the 6 line and smallish Coris seem to be more focused in pest control.

I for one am 0 for 2 on fox faces being decent algae grazers - bristle-tooths are more reliable here

only other add would be a basslet of sorts - black cap, gramma, etc, - no functional job except they are pleasant to look at

Added a CB cinnamon clown and can't get the bugger out.

Did you put all your wrasses in together or at different times? I have no ne big malanurus wrasse that has been in the system for a while