Reef Safe fish list for larger tanks?

[Treefer32]

I'm bored and wanting to plan out fish options down the road. I have a 18 month old 350 gallon 6ft by 3 ft wide and 31" tall mixed reef. Just trying some acros out, mostly Acans, Galaxea, Elegance, and Duncans, some candycanes, etc. A lot of random pieces.

I would like more mid water swimmers. My tank looks empty at times.

My current stock is:

1. two basic orange and white oscellaris clownfish.
2. Dragon Wrasse
3. Caribean Blue tang
4. Chocolate Tang
5. Black Tang
6. Something that looks similar to a cleaner wrasse but is larger and eats everything.
7. Canary blenny.
8. I might still have a Goby with 2 pistol shrimp. I've seen the shrimp at times, but, haven't seen the Goby in a long time. Might be gone, not sure.
9. Lamerack's Angel Fish.
10. Bellas Angel Fish
11. Royal Grama
12. Lawnmower Blenny
13. Starry Blenny
14. Copperband Butterfly fish.

Total of 15 Fish currently.

I've Tried Anthias and they all died... I had a bad heater and I think it was a combination of adding the Anthias and the heater, the Anthias died first, then 15 other fish died... That was a year ago. So, I've been very slowly building back up. . . I'm a bit scared of trying Anthias again because I don't know if Uronema ever goes away, if that's even what they had. The electricity in the tank is what caused a cascade failure of the fish. . So, who knows. Each fish had different symptoms.

On my wish list so far:

1. Maybe a Blue throat trigger
2. A marine Betta
3. A Mystery Wrasse (not sure this would get along with the Dragon wrasse).
4. A mandarine (have an algae turf scrubber that is full of pods every time I clean it).
5. A Swallowtale Angel fish.
6. A second bellas Angel for my other one. Not sure these can be added separately and still be o.k.?
7. Midas Blenny
8. Bella Goby (or just another Goby)
9. Maybe a Yellow Coris wrasse. (went carpet surfing)

Any other suggestions on colorful - active swimmers that would be fun to watch that are also reef safe and would get alone with my current stock?

 

[Fred2482]

Dartfish? Not sure they would like the trigger, but firefish or my favorite zebra bar dartfish are great colors and seem to be out swimming most of the time.

 

[Angel_Anthias lover]

A group of chrysiptera damsels would work

 

[Treefer32]

A group of chrysiptera damsels would work

Are they less mean than normal Damsels?

 

[Angel_Anthias lover]

Are they less mean than normal Damsels?

Typically they are ,i have springers damsels and they are very peaceful, and i have a starcki damsel who flinched away from a randalls anthia about a third of its size, they can squabble amongst themselves, but toward other fish they normally leave them alone .

 

[Conrad Noto]

I'm bored and wanting to plan out fish options down the road. I have a 18 month old 350 gallon 6ft by 3 ft wide and 31" tall mixed reef. Just trying some acros out, mostly Acans, Galaxea, Elegance, and Duncans, some candycanes, etc. A lot of random pieces.

I would like more mid water swimmers. My tank looks empty at times.

My current stock is:

1. two basic orange and white oscellaris clownfish.
2. Dragon Wrasse
3. Caribean Blue tang
4. Chocolate Tang
5. Black Tang
6. Something that looks similar to a cleaner wrasse but is larger and eats everything.
7. Canary blenny.
8. I might still have a Goby with 2 pistol shrimp. I've seen the shrimp at times, but, haven't seen the Goby in a long time. Might be gone, not sure.
9. Lamerack's Angel Fish.
10. Bellas Angel Fish
11. Royal Grama
12. Lawnmower Blenny
13. Starry Blenny
14. Copperband Butterfly fish.

Total of 15 Fish currently.

I've Tried Anthias and they all died... I had a bad heater and I think it was a combination of adding the Anthias and the heater, the Anthias died first, then 15 other fish died... That was a year ago. So, I've been very slowly building back up. . . I'm a bit scared of trying Anthias again because I don't know if Uronema ever goes away, if that's even what they had. The electricity in the tank is what caused a cascade failure of the fish. . So, who knows. Each fish had different symptoms.

On my wish list so far:

1. Maybe a Blue throat trigger
2. A marine Betta
3. A Mystery Wrasse (not sure this would get along with the Dragon wrasse).
4. A mandarine (have an algae turf scrubber that is full of pods every time I clean it).
5. A Swallowtale Angel fish.
6. A second bellas Angel for my other one. Not sure these can be added separately and still be o.k.?
7. Midas Blenny
8. Bella Goby (or just another Goby)
9. Maybe a Yellow Coris wrasse. (went carpet surfing)

Any other suggestions on colorful - active swimmers that would be fun to watch that are also reef safe and would get alone with my current stock?

Cardinals generally stay mid-top, will school in groups. Are you looking for group/schooling fish or larger growing single fish?

 

[Treefer32]

Cardinals generally stay mid-top, will school in groups. Are you looking for group/schooling fish or larger growing single fish?

I wouldn't mind a group of something. Then a few more larger growing single fish (or pair). I'd like to pair my Bellus up, she seems lonely. She's the little angel that could. Swimming with Tangs 3 times her size right now. At $200 a pop. Could only get one. Been in there about 6-7 months now and doing great. Finding a male bellus though seems hard, though, I thought they switched genders if needed.

 

[Conrad Noto]

I wouldn't mind a group of something. Then a few more larger growing single fish (or pair). I'd like to pair my Bellus up, she seems lonely. She's the little angel that could. Swimming with Tangs 3 times her size right now. At $200 a pop. Could only get one. Been in there about 6-7 months now and doing great. Finding a male bellus though seems hard, though, I thought they switched genders if needed.

Male Bellus aren't offered much, people usually buy/want female. Not many of either with covid19 going on. I'm sure you'll find one when importing starts back up.

 

[RtomKinMad]

How about three pyramid butterflies? They are pretty and reef safe and can add more than one. Just a thought. I really Lov ours.

 

[volcano1]

 

[volcano1]

I have 2 bellus. They were both put in as females, one ended up changing into a male.

 

[volcano1]

 

[volcano1]

Similar size tank 96 x 36 x 28, you can see some inhabitants.

 

[ca1ore]

Group of chrysiptera damsels seconded .... I have about 60 in my 450.

 

[hikermike]

How about 5 green chromis, they'll swim as a school and their color changes as they flit this way and that. Never seen one in a fish store that looks as pretty as in a home aquarium. (cuz of the way the lights are set up....and why are they called green when they're really blue?) They only get about 2 " long so low bioload.

 

[Zionas]

I love the Genicanthus angels. Definitely getting one or two for my tank. Lamarck’s, Spotbreast, Watanabei. Bellus is more expensive and not frequently available.


Looking through your list:

1. A community tank without Clownfish is not a proper tank IMO. Approved.

2. Dragon Wrasse- Somewhat aggressive from my research. May eat small fish.

3. Caribbean Blue Tang- Good, but the genus is very prone to diseases compared to Zebrasoma, maybe even Cthenochalus. Watch out for that since it’s an Acanthurus tang (are all Acanthurus tangs fragile like Powder Blue, Achilles, Powder Brown? Someone correct me on this).

4. A Mandarin- Good. As long as you can keep up with its diet of pods.


5. Chocolate Tang- Not sure how Two Acanthurus tangs will get along, I’m not the right person to ask. One of the hardier Acanthurus tangs as far as I know.


6. Black Tang- Good, if you can find one. Zebrasoma is the hardiest / among the hardiest genus of Tangs. If you cannot find one, go for a Purple. If you cannot find a Purple, go for a Yellow.


7. If you want fish that acts like Cleaner Wrasse but is larger and maybe easier to maintain, I would urge you to consider any species of Foxface. If you are up for a challenge, Pyramid Butterfly or Bannerfish.


8. Marine Betta- Large fish but doesn’t need much space. A must have for me. Approved. Make sure it goes in before any Tang, it is shy fish at first and needs time to settle.


9. Yellow Coris Wrasse- Muy bien.


10. Blennies and Goby + shrimp combo- Muy bien.

11. Genicanthus spp. angelfish (Spotbreast, Lamarck, Watanabei, Bellus)- Absolutely. You can do a trio in a tank of your size. Love them. Be sure to incorporate a good herbivorous component to their diet much like Tangs because they are plankton eaters unlike the more traditional angels. Almost every report I’ve read has said positive things about their hardiness, and this is from both English language and Chinese language sources (I am Chinese).


12. Copperband Butterflyfish- Mmm this is a tricky one. Buy specimens not smaller than 3”-4”, make sure it’s taking prepared foods at the LFS before purchasing. Best if you can see it before purchasing it. Butterflies on average are a more sensitive group of fish. Good luck if you decide to get a CBB.


13. Blue Throat Trigger- It will by far be the most aggressive fish on your list, though it’s possibly the least aggressive out of the triggers. Not sure if it’s reef safe though.



Other fish to consider: Basslets, Cardinalfish (not Bangaii if you want to keep a small group).


IMO best to avoid Chromis and Anthias unless you can 1. Have a flawless QT Regimen 2. Feed multiple times a day (4+) 3. Get very lucky with them not picking off each other and staying healthy



Good luck!


P.S. If you really want a Butterflyfish, I would suggest trying a somewhat easier species like a Pyramid Butterfly or one of the Roaps genus butterflies (Tinker’s, Declivis, Mitratus, Burgess) or even a Heniochus genus.


My advice: Give it six months before any angel or Tang or butterfly, give it a year before the Mandarin. Consider putting in the Marine Betta early. If you really want a trigger, make sure it’s the last fish.

 

[Treefer32]

WOWSERS Beuatiful! Curious, what do you have for circulation in that? I see maybe 4, maybe 5 powerheads? Is that all?

 

[Treefer32]

I love the Genicanthus angels. Definitely getting one or two for my tank. Lamarck’s, Spotbreast, Watanabei. Bellus is more expensive and not frequently available.


Looking through your list:

1. A community tank without Clownfish is not a proper tank IMO. Approved.

2. Dragon Wrasse- Somewhat aggressive from my research. May eat small fish.

3. Caribbean Blue Tang- Good, but the genus is very prone to diseases compared to Zebrasoma, maybe even Cthenochalus. Watch out for that since it’s an Acanthurus tang (are all Acanthurus tangs fragile like Powder Blue, Achilles, Powder Brown? Someone correct me on this).

4. A Mandarin- Good. As long as you can keep up with its diet of pods.


5. Chocolate Tang- Not sure how Two Acanthurus tangs will get along, I’m not the right person to ask. One of the hardier Acanthurus tangs as far as I know.


6. Black Tang- Good, if you can find one. Zebrasoma is the hardiest / among the hardiest genus of Tangs. If you cannot find one, go for a Purple. If you cannot find a Purple, go for a Yellow.


7. If you want fish that acts like Cleaner Wrasse but is larger and maybe easier to maintain, I would urge you to consider any species of Foxface. If you are up for a challenge, Pyramid Butterfly or Bannerfish.


8. Marine Betta- Large fish but doesn’t need much space. A must have for me. Approved. Make sure it goes in before any Tang, it is shy fish at first and needs time to settle.


9. Yellow Coris Wrasse- Muy bien.


10. Blennies and Goby + shrimp combo- Muy bien.

11. Genicanthus spp. angelfish (Spotbreast, Lamarck, Watanabei, Bellus)- Absolutely. You can do a trio in a tank of your size. Love them. Be sure to incorporate a good herbivorous component to their diet much like Tangs because they are plankton eaters unlike the more traditional angels. Almost every report I’ve read has said positive things about their hardiness, and this is from both English language and Chinese language sources (I am Chinese).


12. Copperband Butterflyfish- Mmm this is a tricky one. Buy specimens not smaller than 3”-4”, make sure it’s taking prepared foods at the LFS before purchasing. Best if you can see it before purchasing it. Butterflies on average are a more sensitive group of fish. Good luck if you decide to get a CBB.


13. Blue Throat Trigger- It will by far be the most aggressive fish on your list, though it’s possibly the least aggressive out of the triggers. Not sure if it’s reef safe though.



Other fish to consider: Basslets, Cardinalfish (not Bangaii if you want to keep a small group).


IMO best to avoid Chromis and Anthias unless you can 1. Have a flawless QT Regimen 2. Feed multiple times a day (4+) 3. Get very lucky with them not picking off each other and staying healthy



Good luck!


P.S. If you really want a Butterflyfish, I would suggest trying a somewhat easier species like a Pyramid Butterfly or one of the Roaps genus butterflies (Tinker’s, Declivis, Mitratus, Burgess) or even a Heniochus genus.


My advice: Give it six months before any angel or Tang or butterfly, give it a year before the Mandarin. Consider putting in the Marine Betta early. If you really want a trigger, make sure it’s the last fish.

Some of these were fish I already had stated for agression purposes. . I'm glad to hear that that the Caribean blue tang is prone to illness. He's beautiful and doing great in my tank. Occasionally he has a single small scratch. It heals up a few days later. By far one of my fish with personality and sas. It's funny the black tang, chocolate tang, and caribean blue, all fight for access to one of the two tunnels. . . The black tang is 7 years old and has been through hell. (he's survived a LOT - he lived at the LFS for almost 2 years until I got my new tank setup in a new house, survived shock from a heater and still has a great personality, got him when he was just the size of a quarter.. Didn't think he'd survive but beautiful and awesome.)

The most the three tangs do is flare their tales at each other. Never seen them actually try to hook the other tang. I feed a lot and give them nori 3-4 days a week.

The one bellus I have loves meaty food. Haven't seen her go for nori at all. In the homemade food I made I put a lot of nori in with the meat and she may eat some of that, but,very timid and just grabs whatever comes her way, she's not a huge veggie fan.

My Copperband was purchased to eat 1000s of Aiptasia. Seriously thousands. And in 4 months he decimated the aiptasia populations in my tank. As in I have to hunt to find any. He eats frozen food out of my hand along with 4 other fish. He's awesome. He's like a puppy. comes swimming up to me and follows me as walk in front of the tank. He'll be at the bank of the tank hunting and I see him swimming as fast as he can to get to me. Really cool fish. Yes, delicate, but I got it from New wave in the cities. They QT and treat all their fish and make sure they're eating before they sell them. The one I got is beautiful, healthy, and eating great! He's probably turned to pods now. I see him picking things off the undersides of my rocks.

Yes, pyrimids would be beautiful. And another 2 Bellus angels would be awesome too. Along with the damsels. The pyrimids are really expensive if I remember right. to get 4-5 of them. Would they get along with my copperband. My yellow and blue tang like tochase the copperband, so curious if the body types would be too close to the same on the pyrimids or if they were in a group the tangs wouldn't bother.

 

[volcano1]

I’ve got 6 tunze 6105, 1 tunze 6095, 3 tunze waveboxes, and a dart for a return pump. I have 2 6095 in the sump for a Frag tank and a rossmont mc 2600, in the fuge.

 

[zoomonster]

Pretty good mix but IMO you can't beat Anthias for schooling fish. Lots of nice ones but I usually lean towards the smaller resplendent/Tierra anthias.