Fish inspiration for a 300XL?

[pratishk]

My new Red Sea 300 litre tank has a pair of black and white clownfish brought over from my old Nano.
I have a branching aquascape...
Researching and reading up on the next fish to add.
Thinking of Wrasse, Blenny and a Goby...
What would you think would work well with the Scape and tank?? Please and Thanks!

 

[907_Reefer]

Melanurus Wrasse

 

[Petcrazyson]

Melanurus Wrasse

The guy is asking for recommendations and you give him the most boring fish…..

 

[Petcrazyson]

Chalk Bass. I absolutely love these fish. A trio or a small group of them look real nice.


Digging that scape!

 

[907_Reefer]

The guy is asking for recommendations and you give him the most boring fish…..

Well, he's 21 gallons shy for a tang so that's my next pick.

Seriously though, my Melanurus is the most active in the tank!

 

[Petcrazyson]

Well, he's 21 gallons shy for a tang so that's my next pick.

Seriously though, my Melanurus is the most active in the tank!

Wouldn’t say gallons shy I’d say foot print shy. Fish love and appreciate a larger space to swim and live in rather than amount of gallons. You could have a 8 foot 300+ gallons tank but if the footprint is only 18 inches deep than it’s terrible for the fish.

 

[i cant think]

Well, he's 21 gallons shy for a tang so that's my next pick.

Seriously though, my Melanurus is the most active in the tank!

After having even just the ‘small’ Halichoeres species (Iridis and Leucoxanthus were in my personal tank but I’ve cared for almost all of the Halichoeres species commonly and rarely available to the hobby) I disagree with the recommendation of a Melanurus.

My iridis is currently 4.5, possibly even pushing 5 inches now. They’re said to only get 4 inches… Yes I feed a very nutritional diet but even then, 4.5 inches and highly active. Most of the small species stay in the 4-5 inch range (Melanurus is not a small Halichoeres species as it can get to the 6-7 inch range). The only Halichoeres I would say you could do in a 3’x2’ tank are;
- Iridis (Even this pushes it)
- Leucoxanthus
- Timorensis
- Chrysus (the wish version of Leucoxanthus IMO)
- Cosmetus
- Biocellatus

I wouldn’t go for any of the other species personally.

However there are 1000s of wrasses suitable for this tank that I would absolutely say you go for. Just look through these genera;
- Cirrhilabrus
- Macropharyngodon
- Pseudojuloides (Some species push the 3’ boundary of the tank)
- Halichoeres
- Coris (Most species push the 3’ boundary but some more rare species won’t)

 

[i cant think]

Another fish I think every tank needs;
Tilefish.

Some see them as boring but I personally could sit and watch them all day! They’re just beautiful and calm swimmers. That is also a downside to them though as they don’t really swim much and more so hover.
These guys also need a lid that is very hard to lift and escape from - Whether that’s the gaps in the mesh being too small for their head to get through (If their head makes it, their whole body will) or if it’s an open top - if it’s an open top, you will absolutely want a lid. It’s a known fact ALL fish jump without a lid, it’s a very unwanted ticking time bomb.

 

[907_Reefer]

Wouldn’t say gallons shy I’d say foot print shy. Fish love and appreciate a larger space to swim and live in rather than amount of gallons. You could have a 8 foot 300+ gallons tank but if the footprint is only 18 inches deep than it’s terrible for the fish.

.. just a tang police joke

I'll leave the rest of the recommendations for the experts!

 

[Petcrazyson]

I'll leave the rest of the recommendations for the experts!

Why thank you

 

[pratishk]

Melanurus Wrasse

I'll check them out!

 

[pratishk]

Chalk Bass. I absolutely love these fish. A trio or a small group of them look real nice.


Digging that scape!

Thanks - not come across them a quick google and they look good, 3-4 would not cause any territory issues?

 

[pratishk]

After having even just the ‘small’ Halichoeres species (Iridis and Leucoxanthus were in my personal tank but I’ve cared for almost all of the Halichoeres species commonly and rarely available to the hobby) I disagree with the recommendation of a Melanurus.

My iridis is currently 4.5, possibly even pushing 5 inches now. They’re said to only get 4 inches… Yes I feed a very nutritional diet but even then, 4.5 inches and highly active. Most of the small species stay in the 4-5 inch range (Melanurus is not a small Halichoeres species as it can get to the 6-7 inch range). The only Halichoeres I would say you could do in a 3’x2’ tank are;
- Iridis (Even this pushes it)
- Leucoxanthus
- Timorensis
- Chrysus (the wish version of Leucoxanthus IMO)
- Cosmetus
- Biocellatus

I wouldn’t go for any of the other species personally.

However there are 1000s of wrasses suitable for this tank that I would absolutely say you go for. Just look through these genera;
- Cirrhilabrus
- Macropharyngodon
- Pseudojuloides (Some species push the 3’ boundary of the tank)
- Halichoeres
- Coris (Most species push the 3’ boundary but some more rare species won’t)

Thanks so much for the feedback... appreciate it!

 

[pratishk]

Another fish I think every tank needs;
Tilefish.

Some see them as boring but I personally could sit and watch them all day! They’re just beautiful and calm swimmers. That is also a downside to them though as they don’t really swim much and more so hover.
These guys also need a lid that is very hard to lift and escape from - Whether that’s the gaps in the mesh being too small for their head to get through (If their head makes it, their whole body will) or if it’s an open top - if it’s an open top, you will absolutely want a lid. It’s a known fact ALL fish jump without a lid, it’s a very unwanted ticking time bomb.

just googled, they look quite cool - and yes have a secure lid that is tight on the tank - though it does have the mesh - so will check on the tile fish sizes. Thanks!

 

[Petcrazyson]

Thanks - not come across them a quick google and they look good, 3-4 would not cause any territory issues?

They are not aggressive fish and will probably be the ones to be picked on. They’re behavior is interesting they sometimes stay around the same area when they sleep but sometimes anywhere apart like any other fish. I see your tank has plenty of smaller spots for hiding so you should be golden. Obviously this is not set in stone so you will need to try it out see how it works with the territory

 

[exnisstech]

The guy is asking for recommendations and you give him the most boring fish…..

I don't think they are boring at all. They are a very colorful active fish, but opinions differ. After having an adult in a 6ft tank I don't think I would recommend one for a 3ft tank

 

[Petcrazyson]

I don't think they are boring at all. They are a very colorful active fish, but opinions differ. After have an adult in a 6ft tank I don't think I would recommend one for a 3ft tank

I just find them boring lol out of all the other Halichoeres.

I agree though one of those in a 3 footer wouldn’t be the best idea.

 

[pratishk]

They are not aggressive fish and will probably be the ones to be picked on. They’re behavior is interesting they sometimes stay around the same area when they sleep but sometimes anywhere apart like any other fish. I see your tank has plenty of smaller spots for hiding so you should be golden. Obviously this is not set in stone so you will need to try it out see how it works with the territory

Appreciate it, will check out my local LFS and see what they have...

 

[Tcook]

I would recommend a purple tile, the beautiful yellow chrysus (or its dull sister the leuco), and a group of swallowtail dartfish. Nice movement and color.

 

[Petcrazyson]

I would recommend a purple tile, the beautiful yellow chrysus (or its dull sister the leuco),.

My friend……you can’t speak of this blashphemy! A “chrysus or it’s !“dull”! sister the leucoxanthus”……..oh no….. @i cant think @SaltyT ……….