Ideas on a focal point fish for a 50g

[Yamaha1634]

About to start setting up a 50g display tank as an upgrade for my Fluval Evo 13.5g.

Tank will be mixed reef, mainly LPS plus some SPS higher up on the rock. I will be moving over and adding to my current fish stock.

Tank will be 90x45x45cm or 36x18x18 inches

Stock will be

Pair of perc clowns
Trio of pajama cardinals
Small blenny such as a tailspot
cleaner shrimp

I then need ideas on a focal point fish. I'd love a yellow tang but being fairly new to the hobby i wouldn't trust myself with such an expensive fish!

Anyone give me some ideas on a reef safe fish, happy in a 50g that will really stand out?

 

[Anemone_Fanatic]

Some sort of fairy wrasse would be a good addition. You could also try a flame hawkfish, but be warned that there is always a slight risk of it going after your shrimp and blenny. The fish that I would add if it were my own tank is a sunburst anthias, but keep in mind that they do need feeding 2/3 times a day.

 

[Sharkbait19]

I’d say do a dwarf angel. They are a good “mini tang” and have amazing colors.

 

[Billdogg]

Have you looked at Leopard Wrasses? If you get a pair of young ones, as they grow one will make the switch to male. IMHO, they are a wonderful addition to a reef tank.

 

[Yamaha1634]

I’d say do a dwarf angel. They are a good “mini tang” and have amazing colors.

Would a flame angel be reef safe if it is well fed? Love the look and the colours just don't want dead corals and a fat fish

 

[Anemone_Fanatic]

Eh. They are a little iffy in regards to reef safety. A poll on a different forum found that 8/44 flame angels ate coral, but you should probably expect more like a 50% chance of reef safety in the long run. Providing strong random flow, feeding a high quality sponge diet 3 times a day, and not keeping it with your 2,000$ Acanthophyllia should reduce the risk of tragedy. If you go for a flame angel, always have a fish trap lying around in case it gets hungry and a plan for if it isn't reef safe. Most LFSs will take in a fish, but don't expect a refund. I hope that this helps!

 

[Wasabiroot]

If doing a blenny, I would avoid from the genus Ecsenius as they're about 50/50 snacking on corals you like. I would recommend a Midas blenny. They have a lovely russet/amber yellow tone with red blush and are very inquisitive, poking in and out of rockwork, and they get along well with others and are good eaters. I would also second some kind of hawkfish, but be aware that many have large mouths and may eat smaller livestock or inverts. Sometimes they play nice, but it's a dice roll.

 

[Tcook]

Hooded Flame wrasse
Cherub angel
Sunburst anthias
Helfrichi fiefish

 

[Billdogg]

The problem with any of the dwarf angels in a tank that size is that they will own every square inch of it in short order.

 

[Wasabiroot]

The problem with any of the dwarf angels in a tank that size is that they will own every square inch of it in short order.

Yeah, agreed. And sometimes they flip a switch and become a terror overnight.

 

[Yamaha1634]

The problem with any of the dwarf angels in a tank that size is that they will own every square inch of it in short order.

Good to know!

 

[LeBon]

In my 50 my main fish is a boxfish, he was with
2 clowns, starry blenny and bta's.
Recently added a yellow tail damsel for the colour contrast.

your list is quite static, perhaps something that swims the entire tank, the little damsel might be ideal

 

[Yamaha1634]

How about a foxface or copperband?

And I'm guessing noone would recommend a sailfin tang in a 50?

 

[Sharkbait19]

How about a foxface or copperband?

And I'm guessing noone would recommend a sailfin tang in a 50?

Tank too small for either.