Help Choosing Next Fish(es)

[Fishfishfishfish]

I am hoping you guys can suggest some nice new fish for my tank. Every time I visit my LFS and see a fish I like they tell me I cant add that because I already have X fish in my tank. When I go a bit further out, I am sold fish that eat my prize Acans (still super sad about that...) or end up harassing my fish friends. I hope I have not stocked myself into a corner here. Please help! Current stock below:

Waterbox 134.5 (4' across, established 2 years, reef with all sorts of corals)

• 2 x percula clowns
• 2 x bangaii cardinals
• 1 x royal gramma
• 1 x spotted hawkfish
• 1 x flasher wrasse
• 1 x purple firefish
• 1 x mandarin goby
• 1 x midas blenny
• 1 x peppermint shrimp
• 1 x fire shrimp
• 1 x blue coral banded shrimp
• 2 x brittle starfish

 

[Jmas4]

You can definitely add more.

 

[mattzang]

more fairy and flasher wrasses

group of anthias

what'd they tell you to not add?

if you value acans i'd avoid butterflies and angels

 

[saltyhog]

Agree with @mattzang....need more fairy/flasher wrasses! Other interesting options not mentioned include a small group of Zebra Barred Dartfish, a single Halichoeres wrasse, a goby/pistol shrimp pair (Yasha's goby/Randall's pistol shrimp are my favorite). or a single Ctenochaetus tang.

 

[mike550]

Newbie Q here. Whatever happened to rule of thumb of 5 gallons for every inch of fish? Is that valid or is the answer really “it depends on whether your tank can manage the bioload”?

 

[Fishfishfishfish]

These are great suggestions, thanks all!!!!

I forget the names of the fish my LFS said I can't have, this has been over a period of a few months unfortunately. I know one was a Starry Eyed Blenny which I was sad about.

 

[saltyhog]

Newbie Q here. Whatever happened to rule of thumb of 5 gallons for every inch of fish? Is that valid or is the answer really “it depends on whether your tank can manage the bioload”?

I really think that was more a freshwater thing than a saltwater thing. There are lots of things to consider and no hard and fast rules.