Fish suggestions

msujohn · Dec 6, 2015

I'm looking for some advice on some new fish to introduce to my 90 gallon mixed reef tank (basic SPS, LPS, and zoas).

I currently have the following:
- 2 semi piscasso clowns
- Kole Tang
- Midas Blenny
- Orchard Dottyback
- Filamented Flasher wrasse
- Lubbock Fairy wrasse
- Melanarus wrasse

I really want to add 3 or 4 more fish. My intent is to get some more color. I'd like to get a blue fish, red fish, and a yellow fish. What do you suggest? I'm not a fan of Chromis. I would like to get fish that are reef safe and active. I do plan on adding a diamond goby as well. I want to add some sort of wrasse (flasher) as well.

4FordFamily · Dec 6, 2015

msujohn said:
I'm looking for some advice on some new fish to introduce to my 90 gallon mixed reef tank (basic SPS, LPS, and zoas).

I currently have the following:
- 2 semi piscasso clowns
- Kole Tang
- Midas Blenny
- Orchard Dottyback
- Filamented Flasher wrasse
- Lubbock Fairy wrasse
- Melanarus wrasse

I really want to add 3 or 4 more fish. My intent is to get some more color. I'd like to get a blue fish, red fish, and a yellow fish. What do you suggest? I'm not a fan of Chromis. I would like to get fish that are reef safe and active. I do plan on adding a diamond goby as well. I want to add some sort of wrasse (flasher) as well.

Yellow coris wrasse, some flasher wrasse for red, and blue is tricky in a 90.

eatbreakfast · Dec 7, 2015

Agreed on both of the above suggestions. Blue gudgeon dartfish or springeri damsels for blue.

msujohn · Dec 7, 2015

Everything that I have read about damsels is to stay away from them. My kids really like the yellow tail, but I always thought it was a bad decision? Thoughts on the damsels? What is the best true red color for a flasher?

dbl · Dec 7, 2015

Another option for the "red" would be a Flame Hawkfish, unless you have small shrimp.

msujohn · Dec 7, 2015

dbl said:
Another option for the "red" would be a Flame Hawkfish.

I would consider the flame hawkfish as well. But, I do have cleaner shrimp and smaller snails in the tank. Don't they end up eating shrimp and snails?

4FordFamily · Dec 7, 2015

msujohn said:
I would consider the flame hawkfish as well. But, I do have cleaner shrimp and smaller snails in the tank. Don't they end up eating shrimp and snails?

No I've never had trouble keeping them together. The hawk would have to be giant and the shrimp tiny. My hawks didn't even bother peppermint shrimp

4FordFamily · Dec 7, 2015

msujohn said:
Everything that I have read about damsels is to stay away from them. My kids really like the yellow tail, but I always thought it was a bad decision? Thoughts on the damsels? What is the best true red color for a flasher?

Generally true. I trust his judgement though.

dbl · Dec 7, 2015

I've not had a problem with snails, at least with the Hawkfish. I ended up switching to mainly Trochus snails due to my Melanarus Wrasse. They can right themselves, thus giving them a fighting chance! I do have a fairly large cleaner shrimp and the Hawk doesn't bother it.

eatbreakfast · Dec 7, 2015

msujohn said:
Everything that I have read about damsels is to stay away from them. My kids really like the yellow tail, but I always thought it was a bad decision? Thoughts on the damsels? What is the best true red color for a flasher?

Springeri damsels are in the genus Chrysiptera, which is on the peaceful end of damsels, and even within the genus, springeri damsels are on the peaceful end of Chrysiptera.

3FordFamily said:
No I've never had trouble keeping them together. The hawk would have to be giant and the shrimp tiny. My hawks didn't even bother peppermint shrimp

I have kept flame hawks with cleaner shrimp often, and never had an issue.

msujohn · Dec 7, 2015

How about dwarf flame Angels? I've read they nip at corals. What corals do they typically go after?

eatbreakfast · Dec 7, 2015

msujohn said:
How about dwarf flame Angels? I've read they nip at corals. What corals do they typically go after?

If they go after corals it is usually zoas, fleshy LPS, and clam mantles.

dbl · Dec 7, 2015

msujohn said:
How about dwarf flame Angels? I've read they nip at corals. What corals do they typically go after?

Funny you mention Flame Angel as that is what my wife wanted because she saw one at the sushi joint. She was determined to get a red fish. She also has a nice colony of rastas she picked out at a swap meet. She decided she liked her rastas more, but still wanted a red fish. That's how I ended up with "Tony", the Flame Hawkfish. Happy rastas, happy red fish, and happy wife!