Stocking suggestions...anyone...anyone?

[Jake270]

Have a Red Sea 250, Mixed Reef with a little bit of everything (will anyways)
Eshopps S-200 protein skimmer
Mini Fuge

Current inhabitant is Melanarus Wrasse
One know future inhabitant Red Fin Waspfish
other than that kinda open don't want the run of the mill every day fish. We have a 20g with a clown, tailspot blenny, and a sixline so kind of looking for some different options and opinions on which route to go. Don't want to over stock but would like a nice mix of fish. Corals have always been my focus so they do have to be coral friendly.

 

[cancun]

Have a Red Sea 250, Mixed Reef with a little bit of everything (will anyways)
Eshopps S-200 protein skimmer
Mini Fuge

Current inhabitant is Melanarus Wrasse
One know future inhabitant Red Fin Waspfish
other than that kinda open don't want the run of the mill every day fish. We have a 20g with a clown, tailspot blenny, and a sixline so kind of looking for some different options and opinions on which route to go. Don't want to over stock but would like a nice mix of fish. Corals have always been my focus so they do have to be coral friendly.

My vote is a Red Cori's Wrasse! I love mine! Very active and one of the most beautiful Wrasses in my opinion. I have had mine for a few years...he was a inch long when I got him...just a baby....now he is about six inches and changing into his adult colors...here are some pics of him...

 

[DeniseAndy]

Love those little guys. I would love to have a pair one day. Many of the fairy and flasher wrasses are really pretty and fit nicely in 65g. Need a cover though. They jump. Also I love resplendent anthias as they stay small and can have 3 or more in that size tank. Maybe one blotched (borbonius) anthias as they are cool. Chalk bass are nice, assessors are cool, later on maybe a mandarin. Just thoughts.

 

[Jake270]

With the red cores wrasse I just worry about a fish that gets over a foot long in a 54g Display

 

[DeniseAndy]

Oh, you have the 54g. Sorry. Still my suggestions would be fine.

 

[Jake270]

My wife is insistant on a mandarin. Just don't know maybe if i could find tank raised. Def thinking more wrasses could be a good choice. I don't feed enough for Anthias. But will def look into the chalk bass.

 

[cancun]

I just worry about a fish that gets over a foot long in a 54g Display

I am so sorry....I missed that part lol....I agree that fairy and flasher Wrasses would be perfect....I have a male Solorensis fairy Wrasse....they don't get big eaither....and are pretty reef safe too!

 

[DeniseAndy]

I miss my solorensis. He died of old age a while back. Best fish. More like a dog. He would come around my hand and even let me pet him. He was maybe 5" full grown. A bit large for 54g, but maybe.

 

[cancun]

My wife is insistant on a mandarin. Just don't know maybe if i could find tank raised. Def thinking more wrasses could be a good choice. I don't feed enough for Anthias. But will def look into the chalk bass.

A mandarin is a good idea...but it may be hard to find a tank raised one....make sure you have a lot of pods in your tank for him...in case you have trouble getting him to eat frozen...

 

[DeniseAndy]

My spotted one began eating everything almost immediately. Crazy fish. Definitely wait for good pod population though. And tigger pods are good for them to start with.

 

[cancun]

I miss my solorensis. He died of old age a while back. Best fish. More like a dog. He would come around my hand and even let me pet him. He was maybe 5" full grown. A bit large for 54g, but maybe.

Oh sorry for your loss! Yea they are so beautiful! I have 8 Wrasses in my tank....and he is one of my favorites...

Another idea is what about a midas blenny....I have one and love their personalities!

 

[mahindra.dev]

+1 on Fairy, Flasher Wrasses... active and colorful... and Reef Safe. I love my Lubbock wrasse and McCoskers..

 

[mahindra.dev]

I miss my solorensis. He died of old age a while back. Best fish. More like a dog. He would come around my hand and even let me pet him. He was maybe 5" full grown. A bit large for 54g, but maybe.

It’s always good to have a fish that feeds off of your hand. Sorry on the loss. We get attached and I know how it is.

 

[Jake270]

I am so sorry....I missed that part lol....I agree that fairy and flasher Wrasses would be perfect....I have a male Solorensis fairy Wrasse....they don't get big eaither....and are pretty reef safe too!

Yeah I do love that fish though. Maybe one day.
Ive converted the ATO into a Fuge to get a start and we have been seeding the tank with pods as well. But will def wait on a mandarin because pods would get entirely too expensive to keep feeding that guy. I think I may go with one other wrasse but don't want to overload with one type of fish. I know I can be super picky and this is why most my tanks have hardly any fish in them. I do think the Midas would bring in a ton of personality and a nice pop of yellow as well though will def make it to the short list.

 

[Zack K]

Like mentioned above, wrasses are a great choice. I also like some sort of schooling fish, maybe some cromis or Pink Skunks if you want an anemone. Maybe Blenny or goby to add some activity to the rocks.

 

[cancun]

Yeah I do love that fish though. Maybe one day.
Ive converted the ATO into a Fuge to get a start and we have been seeding the tank with pods as well. But will def wait on a mandarin because pods would get entirely too expensive to keep feeding that guy. I think I may go with one other wrasse but don't want to overload with one type of fish. I know I can be super picky and this is why most my tanks have hardly any fish in them. I do think the Midas would bring in a ton of personality and a nice pop of yellow as well though will def make it to the short list.

Oh yeah.... i know you wanted to not go Wrasse heavy...but you were talking some yellow.....forgot to suggest a Yellow Coris Wrasse....they don't get big....and they eat brissel worms...here is a pic of mine...

 

[Jake270]

From the snippets of your tank it looks amazing

 

[cancun]

From the snippets of your tank it looks amazing

Thanks! It took a long time to get it right...and a lot of learning and advise from people on these forums! You have the right idea taking it slow and picking out the fish you really want. I can't wait to see pics of your tank!

 

[Jake270]

Like mentioned above, wrasses are a great choice. I also like some sort of schooling fish, maybe some cromis or Pink Skunks if you want an anemone. Maybe Blenny or goby to add some activity to the rocks.

The rock movement will come from the red wasp fish. I just have to find one, they are awesome little fish.
I have a guy who has offered me rainbow bubble tip anemone but I really really really worry about it going for a walk, as much as I love the relationship and i do agree with the pink skunks being an awesome fish

 

[Jake270]

So I’ll probably get roasted for this but went to the LFS today and looked at a bunch of different fish. Yeah the Midas just doesn’t do it for me the more I sit and watch them. So it got axed quickly. Didn’t want the same body shape for this batch but they had some really nice wrasses. Wanted this ebli angle they had sooooo bad but don’t know if I can take that risk. So after looking at everything for over an hour. Came home with a really dark pair of clarkii’s very healthy fish and awesome personality had the different color and body shape to keep it diverse until the next inhabitants. Had a really cool dusky jawfish as well. Pictures to follow when they settle down a bit