Fish selection crossroad

[fragit]

I’m at a crossroad and need some help from you all. I would like to add some more fish to my 120 mixed reef. I recently realized that I much prefer smaller fish like 3-4” size as they just seem to fit the space better. I had a terminal male ruby headed wrasse pass away recently and he was a good 5-6”. Since his passing the tank just seems more mello. Ive tried a few flashers they have not survived shipping or QT, I had one arrive prequarantined but after releasing to the DT it hid and I never saw it again. I’ve had Anthias they seem to live for 6months to a year then die. I’m not really sure what I want to add. Current inhabitants are, Ornate Leopard Wrasse, pink margin fairy wrasse, yellow eye Kole tang, file fish and 2x striped blennies. I’ve been think maybe a pair or pink skunk clowns, and a pair of royal grammas, maybe a yellow watchman and pistol shrimp. I’ve also thought anout another tang like a yellow but again size is the issue. What would you add?

 

[rubertoe93]

If the tank is established a pair of manderins
I’m the same and prefer the smaller fish that go in and out,
Clowns again are a for movement and colour,
Prehaps some more Chromis if your anthians keep passing,

 

[Fred2482]

I like the clowns as well. I would think about firefish/dartfish. I have a pair of red firefish, purple firefish and zebra barred dartfish. The combination of colors really draws attention to the tank.

 

[fragit]

If the tank is established a pair of manderins
I’m the same and prefer the smaller fish that go in and out,
Clowns again are a for movement and colour,
Prehaps some more Chromis if your anthians keep passing,

Chromis just kill each other off, I have thought about a spuringi damsel though.

 

[fragit]

I like the clowns as well. I would think about firefish/dartfish. I have a pair of red firefish, purple firefish and zebra barred dartfish. The combination of colors really draws attention to the tank.

I had two fire fish when I first set up the tank. They are pretty, but too timid. I have had dart fish in the past and could not stand the mess they make of the sand.

 

[rubertoe93]

Chromis just kill each other off, I have thought about a spuringi damsel though.

Ahhh, I’ve never really kept Chromis, but was thinking of adding a group of 4-5 blue stripe damsels,

 

[Doglips56]

I like the clowns as well. I would think about firefish/dartfish. I have a pair of red firefish, purple firefish and zebra barred dartfish. The combination of colors really draws attention to the tank.

I’m also restocking my tank and like peaceful fish. I had a fire goby but it went into its cave one day and we never saw it again

 

[fragit]

I’m also restocking my tank and like peaceful fish. I had a fire goby but it went into its cave one day and we never saw it again

I love my yellow striped blennies, they have great personalities, are very active, and nice to look at. I would like to add more but I’m not sure they get along across the families.

 

[Doglips56]

I have a lawnmower blenny, not sure if he’d like another blenny in his space

 

[fragit]

I have a lawnmower blenny, not sure if he’d like another blenny in his space

I know, the striped blennies have a totally different body shape. I’ve been thinking about adding a starry blenny to help with algea control.

 

[fragit]

So I’m gonna give TSM Aquatics a try I think based on reputation and location. I live in Maine, Jersey is much closer than L.A. I have ordered from OceanDevotion preciously and had an A+ experience however with winter and COVID shipping issues I want to source quarantined fish closer to home. So depending on cost, here is what I think I want to add. 1 Royal gramma, pair of pink skunk clowns, yellow watchman goby and shrimp, starry blenny(if it would be okay with my striped blennies), I would also love a mandarin pair (plenty of pods). Any comments or concerns?