I need to restock my tank

Jl330 · Dec 15, 2018

I have had a few guys die of various reasons, no illnesses or anything, but I'm down to just my 2 clowns and hippo tang in a mixed reef.

I want another royal gramma

I'd like more small fish than few big ones.

My lfs has 3 pajama cardinals but they're a little too inactive for me.

James M · Dec 15, 2018

Tank size ?

Jl330 · Dec 15, 2018

James M said:
Tank size ?

75.

Thought I had put that

James M · Dec 15, 2018

Jl330 said:
75.

Thought I had put that

Lol. You’re going to be wanting to get rid of the blue tang btw.
Have you looked into wrasses, chromis, blennies? Check out hawk fish too

Jl330 · Dec 15, 2018

James M said:
Lol. You’re going to be wanting to get rid of the blue tang btw.
Have you looked into wrasses, chromis, blennies? Check out hawk fish too

I'm hoping to go to a bigger tank at some point. I just have to find a spot. I recently moved and my location is different now.

I am waiting on wrasses in case I do some berghia

I've heard 1 chromis is all that will last
I like some of the colorful blennies but have never seen any locally
Hawkfish may be a good choice. I am trying to increase my bioload though.

Jl330 · Dec 15, 2018

FWIW, I'm thinking about doing an order with live aquaria to get some things I can't get here.

AbnormalReefer · Dec 17, 2018

I’d get rid of the blue tang. Those need at least a 125 6’ long in my opinion. If I were you, I’d switch for a Kole or Tomini tang, those are great at eating algae and detritus, and only get 5-6 inches.

I’d definitely add a fuzzy dwarf lionfish in there if it were my tank. However, the royal gramma may or may not fare well with the lion. They are also tricky to wean to frozen as well. However, they make a wonderful reef tank selection and definitely impress guests if you’re careful with your selection of fish.

mattzang · Dec 17, 2018

midas blenny is super cool

i think wrasses would be ok as long as you avoid halichoeres for berghias. or get some halichoeres because they're awesome and fix aptasia with something else

my springer damsel is the nicest fish in my tank, not the demon damsel people mention. other Chrysiptera damsels are supposedly non demons too

James M · Dec 17, 2018

Jl330 said:
I'm hoping to go to a bigger tank at some point. I just have to find a spot. I recently moved and my location is different now.

I am waiting on wrasses in case I do some berghia

I've heard 1 chromis is all that will last
I like some of the colorful blennies but have never seen any locally
Hawkfish may be a good choice. I am trying to increase my bioload though.

Usually they end up pairing and they will kill off the other ones

Jl330 · Dec 17, 2018

mattzang said:
midas blenny is super cool

i think wrasses would be ok as long as you avoid halichoeres for berghias. or get some halichoeres because they're awesome and fix aptasia with something else

my springer damsel is the nicest fish in my tank, not the demon damsel people mention. other Chrysiptera damsels are supposedly non demons too

I like those blennies.

I'm thinking one of those
3 chromis
3 pajama cardinals
And some type of wrasse

That should give me the movement I'm looking for.

Jl330 · Dec 17, 2018

I was also considering a mandarin goby. I have a healthy pod population and a big fuge.

James M · Dec 17, 2018

Be prepared for the Chromis to pair up and kill the lonely one. Not saying it’s going to happen but it might

Jesterrace · Dec 17, 2018

Chromis pick each other off more often than not, so I don't recommend them. The Pajama Cardinals may also pick each other off (don't be surprised to see fin nipping). A Mandarin could work with that size tank provided your pod population is well established.

Jl330 said:
I'm hoping to go to a bigger tank at some point. I just have to find a spot. I recently moved and my location is different now.

I am waiting on wrasses in case I do some berghia

I've heard 1 chromis is all that will last
I like some of the colorful blennies but have never seen any locally
Hawkfish may be a good choice. I am trying to increase my bioload though.

A Flasher or Peaceful variety Fairy Wrasse should leave the Berghia alone. Halichoeres (ie Melanurus, Christmas, Red Lined) would be the wrasses more likely to bother them.

Jl330 · Dec 17, 2018

My idea here is I want tons of movement.

Seasidenj · Dec 17, 2018

How about fire fish they stay small and I have 4 in my 75 gallon with no problems

Jesterrace · Dec 17, 2018

Firefish are great but their small size, bright colors and super timid nature make them very easy targets for more assertive fish (Clowns and Blue Tang) and you run a good risk of having them bullied and hiding in their den most of the time. I had this happen with a Purple Firefish and it ended up being nothing more than an unwanted source of nitrates as I almost never saw it. Furthermore Firefish tend to just hang out right outside their den instead of being active. @ The OP, Pajama Cardinals are more of a hangout/"stoner" type fish rather than really active. I still say a Flasher Wrasse and/or Peaceful Fairy Wrasse would give you exactly what you are looking for (high visibility, lots of color, activity and generally don't bother tank mates). Here are some recommendations (ignore the Lamarck's Angel, not sure why it's there):

https://aquarium-fish.liveaquaria.com/search?w=Flasher Wrasse

FYI the Whipfin and Red Head Salon tend to be a bit more aggressive than the others

https://aquarium-fish.liveaquaria.c...&method=and&view=grid&af=temperament:peaceful

Jl330 · Dec 17, 2018

Jesterrace said:
Firefish are great but their small size, bright colors and super timid nature make them very easy targets for more assertive fish (Clowns and Blue Tang) and you run a good risk of having them bullied and hiding in their den most of the time. I had this happen with a Purple Firefish and it ended up being nothing more than an unwanted source of nitrates as I almost never saw it. Furthermore Firefish tend to just hang out right outside their den instead of being active. @ The OP, Pajama Cardinals are more of a hangout/"stoner" type fish rather than really active. I still say a Flasher Wrasse and/or Peaceful Fairy Wrasse would give you exactly what you are looking for (high visibility, lots of color, activity and generally don't bother tank mates).

Thanks for the input.

I'm actually trying to increase nitrate, not through the roof, but you get the point.

I really need to think about it before I buy. I keep looking at tanks online stacked with anthias and I love seeing how they seem to school together and move around. I don't think they'd be a good option for my size tank though.

Jesterrace · Dec 17, 2018

For a 75, I agree that a group of anthias wouldn't be best. The Bartlet's is really the only one recommended for that size and there are plenty of mixed results concerning their level of aggressiveness. It shouldn't be a concern with the clownfish and blue tang as they can handle themselves, but they would definitely limit your options for other new additions.