I really don't have any favorite fish, maybe that's why this is so hard for me. I'm in love with the corals. I could probably not have a fully stocked tank when it comes to fish, I just know I need some to maintain the reef. I think I would prefer utility and maybe interesting behaviors. I am looking through fish now and the goby/shrimp pair is super cute to me, as well as the ones like the belnnys that hide and dart around. Also the dogface puffer is freakin adorable but apparently likes to eat inverts so there's that.
Now we're getting started.
Goby/shrimp pair would be a good consideration. There are several species to consider for both goby and shrimp for common and reasonably-priced options:
A few more-common Shrimp Gobies: Pink Spotted Shrimp Goby (
Cryptocentrus leptocephalus), Yellow Watchman Goby (
Cryptocentrus cinctus), Orange Spotted Goby (
Amblyeleotris guttata), Randall's Shrimp Goby (
Amblyeleotris randalli)
Common pistol shrimp: Tiger Pistol Shrimp (
Alpheus bellulus), Randall’s Pistol Shrimp (
Alpheus randalli), and others in the
Alpheus family
Several blennies are great considerations, though you should probably only get one or two (maybe male/female pairs of same species if possible) as the blennies sometimes get aggressive with other blennies as well as with gobies. Blennies sometimes add utility in consuming algae, though they are probably not going to eliminate the need for invertebrates as well for algae control. Blennies add fun behavior and interaction to the system.
Algae blennies to consider: Sailfin/Algae Blenny (
Salarias fasciatus), Bicolor Blenny (
Ecsenius bicolor), Black Sailfin Blenny (
Atrosalarias fuscus), Tail Spot Blenny (
Ecsenius stigmatura), Linear Blenny (
Ecsenius lineatus), Two Spot Bimaculatus Blenny (
Ecsenius bimaculatus), Starry Blenny (
Salarias ramosus)
Other blennies (some are venomous, such as from the
Meiacanthus family, though not really a risk to the aquarist): Midas Blenny (
Ecsenius midas), Smith's Blenny (
Meiacanthus smithii), Striped Blenny (
Meiacanthus grammistes), Canary Blenny (
Meiacanthus oualanensis), Green Canary Blenny (
Meiacanthus tongaensis), Forktail Blenny (
Meiacanthus atrodorsalis), Harptail Blenny (
Meiacanthus mossambicus)
All puffers are likely out of the question in a mixed reef unless you are willing to take the risk on your corals (hopefully not expensive corals!). Some of the smaller species may work, but do your research quite in-depth before considering the inclusion of a pufferfish.
Adding the goby&shrimp and a blenny or two should be no trouble with your pair of clownfish and Scopas tang. This seems quite reasonable for your tank size and well-manageable.
You might also consider the addition of some of the following (though certainly not all):
1) For general algae utility but may be a risk to some corals, such as zoas:
1x Foxface Rabbitfish: One-spot (
Siganus unimaculatus), Lo (
Siganus vulpinus), bicolor (
Siganus uspi)
or 1x Rabbitfish: Two Barred Rabbitfish (
Siganus virgatus), Decorated Rabbitfish (
Siganus puellus), Gold Spotted Rabbitfish (
Siganus punctatus), Yellow Blotch Rabbitfish (
Siganus guttatus)
2) For color and activity:
2-6x Cardinalfish of same species: Pajama Cardinalfish (
Sphaeramia nematoptera), Yellowstriped Cardinalfish (
Ostorhinchus cyanosoma), Yellow Cardinalfish (
Ostorinchus luteus), Threadfin Cardinalfish (
Apogon leptacanthus)
and/or 2-6 Damselfish of same species (may be aggressive, especially with clownfish and other small fish): Yellowtail Damselfish (
Chrysiptera parasema), Blue Sapphire Damselfish (
Chrysiptera cf. springeri), Pink Smith Damselfish (
Pomacentrus smithi)
or 2-6 Anthias of same species (more expensive and harder to care for): Dispar Anthias (
Pseudanthias dispar), Huchtii Anthias (
Pseudanthias huchtii), Carberryi Anthias (
Nemanthias carberryi), Ignitus Anthias (
Pseudanthias ignitus)
3) For pest control and colors/activity:
1x
Halichoeres wrasse( will prefer sandbed to hide in at night): Melanurus Wrasse (
Halichoeres melanurus), Red-Lined Wrasse (
Halichoeres biocellatus), Adorned Wrasse (
Halichoeres cosmetus), Green Wrasse (
Halichoeres chloropterus), Yellow Wrasse (
Halichoeres chrysus), Whitebelly Wrasse (
Halichoeres leucoxanthus)
and/or 1x reef-safe wrasse: Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse (
Paracheilinus carpenteri), McCosker's Flasher Wrasse (
Paracheilinus mccoskeri)
I also really like stylophora and porites corals. LPS that I might be interested in are fungia plates, hammers, frogspawn and grapes.
