Good group fish

[Indytraveler83]

I'm not neccisarily looking for a "school" of fish. On a recent snorkeling trip in Mexico, one thing that stood out to me is that sergeant majors outnumbered other fish 8 to 1 in many areas. These guys are interesting on their own, but make the Tangs and wrasse feel even more special when you see them.

I'm looking to get a similar effect for a future build, and am looking for a fish I can get a large group of that are entirely reef safe, will exist well in a group, and won't be jerks. I'm also hoping for something that has as small an impact on bioload as possible.

Chromis would be my first choice, but I read they frequently kill each other off. I'm thinking Talbot or yellow tail damsels would do best? Any other suggestions?

 

[EmilyXLC]

What other fish are you planning on stocking?

 

[Sailfin11]

Have you considered a group of anthias? They're a bit more pricey but will really give a flash of color.

 

[Indytraveler83]

Have you considered a group of anthias? They're a bit more pricey but will really give a flash of color.

I have not so far, mostly due to size/bioload and it seems like people have horrible luck keeping them alive. Are these perceptions wrong?

 

[Indytraveler83]

What other fish are you planning on stocking?

Not entirely set, but my existing tank will migrate into there, which has clowns, bar gobies, Cardinals and flasher wrasse. I'm a huge wrasse fan, so more wrasse are likely, and I'd like to get at least one or two slightly larger fish, like a small Tang or something.

 

[Angel_Anthias lover]

I have not so far, mostly due to size/bioload and it seems like people have horrible luck keeping them alive. Are these perceptions wrong?

Depends on the species, dispar, ignitus, randalls anthias are less likely for this to occur with randalls being slightly harder to keep

 

[Haydn]

Chromis can still be your first choice just look beyond the 'standard' green, there are a multitude of others -Vandervelts (if you are planning a 'quiet tank), Retrofaciatus, Agillis will give you a good starting point for research, there are loads of them waiting to be discovered.
Fusilier damsels (Lepidozygus tapeinosoma) are excellent, peaceful group fish (if you can find them) and cheap.
Anthias are fine but will need a lot of feeding in a group, so the bioload may not be that small.

 

[Indytraveler83]

Chromis can still be your first choice just look beyond the 'standard' green, there are a multitude of others -Vandervelts (if you are planning a 'quiet tank), Retrofaciatus, Agillis will give you a good starting point for research, there are loads of them waiting to be discovered.
Fusilier damsels (Lepidozygus tapeinosoma) are excellent, peaceful group fish (if you can find them) and cheap.
Anthias are fine but will need a lot of feeding in a group, so the bioload may not be that small.

Interesting options on the chromis. Looking online LA lists them fairly high in price, but I wonder if one of my lfs can get them in cheaper, especially if I want a group of 10 or 12.

Good point on the anthias. They are very cool fish, but I feel like they need more special care, and while I'm looking for a group fish, I need something that fits the system I'm planning, and not the other way around. Especially the bioload of 10-12 of them may be more than I'm wanting. 2" chromis or damsels fit the bill a little better.

 

[austenreefer]

Iv tried a chromi schools 3 times. I now have 1 left and gave up. Not worth the energy.

 

[Indytraveler83]

Iv tried a chromi schools 3 times. I now have 1 left and gave up. Not worth the energy.

Was this the common green/blue or another variety?

 

[ca1ore]

How large will the tank be? Size has a material bearing on how well groups will coexist. Tough to get a stable group of anthias, and it gets expensive. I keep individuals but gave up on larger groups. Chromis, particularly the green, have similar issues though not as expensive. I don’t personally think they’re worth it given propensity for uronema. Leaves you with damsels. Choose correctly, with adequate space for them to stake out their micro territories, and they’re the best choice IME. I have a mix of yellow tails, azures, Talbots and rollands in my 450 ... about 60 of them at last count.

 

[Indytraveler83]

How large will the tank be? Size has a material bearing on how well groups will coexist. Tough to get a stable group of anthias, and it gets expensive. I keep individuals but gave up on larger groups. Chromis, particularly the green, have similar issues though not as expensive. I don’t personally think they’re worth it given propensity for uronema. Leaves you with damsels. Choose correctly, with adequate space for them to stake out their micro territories, and they’re the best choice IME. I have a mix of yellow tails, azures, Talbots and rollands in my 450 ... about 60 of them at last count.

The plan is likely a 90 or 120 gallon. I'm limited to a 4ft tank unfortunately, but nothing on this design is set in stone yet. Unlike my last system, I'm trying to plan everything before getting started.

 

[mshur]

How large will the tank be? Size has a material bearing on how well groups will coexist. Tough to get a stable group of anthias, and it gets expensive. I keep individuals but gave up on larger groups. Chromis, particularly the green, have similar issues though not as expensive. I don’t personally think they’re worth it given propensity for uronema. Leaves you with damsels. Choose correctly, with adequate space for them to stake out their micro territories, and they’re the best choice IME. I have a mix of yellow tails, azures, Talbots and rollands in my 450 ... about 60 of them at last count.

wow, 60 of them... Dont they fights?

 

[jp_75]

anthias
chromis
yellow/blue damsel
zebra barred dartfish
blue eyed cardinals

 

[Indytraveler83]

anthias
chromis
yellow/blue damsel
zebra barred dartfish
blue eyed cardinals

Interesting list. Especially since I already have 2 zebra barred dartfish...

 

[jp_75]

you could even put 3 chalk basslets. just make sure you add them same time.

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

Fusilier damsels fit your criteria I think.

 

[TheWB]

Interesting list. Especially since I already have 2 zebra barred dartfish...

Zebra Barred Dartfish look pretty cool in a group. I have two also but if I had a bigger tank I’d get more.

 

[austenreefer]

Was this the common green/blue or another variety?

Yes. Common green blue

 

[Indytraveler83]

Little update:

Turns out to be a 90 gallon, and while I know I said "small bioload" I struggle to keep nitrates readable in a system that's supposed to be lps focused. So...

One of my lfs had a male lyretail anthias with 3 females that had been in shop for about 3 weeks. He doesn't like keeping fish that long, so offered me a deal if I bought the group. So I did...

They are in QT with a Gold Midas Blenny I've been hunting for forever. All of them have a pink/orange tint to them, so I'm hopeful they will make it through QT and do well!