I forgot to decide on fish!

[Saltybubbles288]

I have been so involved with the cycling of my tank, nuisance algae a ton of issues even a leak in the rim, that I have forgotten to pick what fish to get. And the cycle looks to be finishing up nitrates are finally coming down from the spike. I've even already got a %30 water change mixed.

My dt is a 30 inch cube, and my system totals just shy of 150 gallons, I will be keeping plenty of coral so I'm mainly looking for total reef safe fish. It already has 10 astrea Snails in it.

This is my first saltwater tank of my own, but have serviced a few, I have kept many different freshwater tanks over the course of the last decade, as well. So I'm pretty confident in my husbandry skills. I have an affinity for smaller fish as well, I fell in love with Endlers and Otos. I would like to stay with cheaper (sub$100) hardier fish just to minimilize the blow if I do make a mistake, though I will splurge for a show fish in the end. My tank has a solid lid and I will be putting mesh on the back to prevent jumpers. I have also bred feeders and am planning to have a strong copepod population in the refuge.

With all this said I have decided to start with 3 green chromis for the top part of the water colloumn and a madarian dragonet down the line. As for cuc I like the astrea Snails I don't mind flipping them, but have been looking into emerald crabs though the seem to like corals at times. I have been watching a pair of longfin clowns at the lfs but $300 a pair is too much for me to gamble on myself. lol I would appreciate any help picking fish and cuc.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Some options that fit your criteria include: yellow assessor, royal gramma, sunburst anthias, chalk basslet, midas blenny, flasher wrasses, watchman goby/pistol shrimp pr, neon goby, firefish, a group of zebra or scissortail gobies.

 

[Maritimer]

For cleaners, you might take a look at cerith or trochus snails (Ceriths are generalists that spend a decent amount of time in the sandbed, trochus are nocturnal algae-grazers that can flip themselves right side up most of the time), adding them as you notice a problem they might address. Once you've got more of a bioload going, you'll likely want some nassarius snails as well, to pick up any leftover food in the sandbed. Copepods, amphipods and bristle worms will help deal with organics trapped within your liverock.

~Bruce