Ideal Fish to Add Movement/Activity to Smaller Reef

medicreefer · 11/30/2018, 10:33 AM

Hi all,

I'm a fairly experienced nano-reefer, though I've only ever kept Ocellaris clowns (a 9 year-old pair) and so,e yellow-head jawfish at one point. I'm setting up a new reef in a 55 gallon corner diamond, and I'm looking for an ideal fish to add some excitement/movement to the tank. The tank will have the usual small tank culprits (pair of clowns, firefish, goby, etc.). But many of the nano tank fish lack a lot of quick movement and excitement. So I'm looking for somewhat of a quick, constantly-moving fish that will be all over the tank and add some excitement. What are my options for a tank this size?

nereefpat · 11/30/2018, 11:31 AM

Flasher wrasse like a McCosker, yellow fin, carpenter's.

Small Halichoeres wrasse, like chrysus or biocellatus.

drewe93 · 12/01/2018, 09:38 AM

Wrasses, flame angel or coral beauty.

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Sugar Magnolia · 12/01/2018, 11:09 AM

I agree with a wrasse. My melanurus wrasse used to swim constantly. You could set your clock to the time it went to bed and came out in the morning.

nereefpat · 12/01/2018, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drewe93

flame angel or coral beauty.

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Not in a 55 corner, or even a standard 55.

cody6766 · 12/01/2018, 07:57 PM

I like adding a chromis and a yellow-tailed damsel (1 each). They are active, pretty and cheap to boot. Don't try adding multiples. Even in a 120g, I had to remove all but one, as they will fight until there is only one left anyway. I also like having a wrasse in the tank, especially a fairy wrasse, because of their color and constant movement.

drewe93 · 12/01/2018, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nereefpat

Not in a 55 corner, or even a standard 55.

You're joking right? Angel police? It's a pygmy angel and would be fine in a 55, it'd be fine in something smaller as well.

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nereefpat · 12/03/2018, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drewe93

You're joking right?

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Nope. LA for example says a 70 gallon minimum, and places that sell fish tend to underestimate.

There are a few smaller dwarf angels, like cherub and flameback. But the two you listed get a little big and aggressive. My opinion is that the standard 75-90 would be a minimum. I've seen a couple different folks here recommend bigger tanks yet.

drewe93 · 12/03/2018, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nereefpat

Nope. LA for example says a 70 gallon minimum, and places that sell fish tend to underestimate.

There are a few smaller dwarf angels, like cherub and flameback. But the two you listed get a little big and aggressive. My opinion is that the standard 75-90 would be a minimum. I've seen a couple different folks here recommend bigger tanks yet.

The flame gets to be around 4 inches. They're not like tangs that swim laps around the tank, though they do like room. I wouldn't put it in anything smaller than a 55, but I disagree with you that 55 is too small.

FWIW, I've never had aggression issues with a Flame, but I've always had them in 75+. The only issue I've had is them sometimes nipping at stony corals. Surprisingly he leaves softies alone.

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nereefpat · 12/03/2018, 04:57 PM

To me, a 55 corner seems like it would have less footprint (swimming room) than a standard 55.

I wouldn't recommend it, but just my opinion.

Cliving1 · 12/03/2018, 06:52 PM

Flame hawk, midas blenny, or possibly valentine puffer?

jacksonpt · 12/04/2018, 11:26 AM

Smaller wrasses are always good (mystery wrasse is one of my favorites)... candy hogfish is another.

West1 · 12/04/2018, 12:22 PM

Midas Blenny, different clownfish variants, yellow wrasse, sixline wrasse (usually aggressive when 2"), melanurus wrasse, flasher wrasse, royal gramma (nice odd color),

Uncle99 · 12/04/2018, 02:07 PM

1 anthia, the bright orange ones with blue eyes, fast and out all day.
But just 1.

Fourstars · 12/05/2018, 01:18 PM

I second the Anthias, My wife loves to point out my eighty dollar gold fish to friends. But I love him.

manateemark · 12/08/2018, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by West1

Midas Blenny, different clownfish variants, yellow wrasse, sixline wrasse (usually aggressive when 2"), melanurus wrasse, flasher wrasse, royal gramma (nice odd color),

I personally have had aggression problems in my tanks before with 6 line wrasses and royal grammars. Both of they became aggressive with new tank inhabitants.

West1 · 12/10/2018, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manateemark

I personally have had aggression problems in my tanks before with 6 line wrasses and royal grammars. Both of they became aggressive with new tank inhabitants.

I just picked up a juvi royal gramma, I hope hes not a beast plays nice

11/30/2018, 10:33 AM	#1
medicreefer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 115	Ideal Fish to Add Movement/Activity to Smaller Reef Hi all, I'm a fairly experienced nano-reefer, though I've only ever kept Ocellaris clowns (a 9 year-old pair) and so,e yellow-head jawfish at one point. I'm setting up a new reef in a 55 gallon corner diamond, and I'm looking for an ideal fish to add some excitement/movement to the tank. The tank will have the usual small tank culprits (pair of clowns, firefish, goby, etc.). But many of the nano tank fish lack a lot of quick movement and excitement. So I'm looking for somewhat of a quick, constantly-moving fish that will be all over the tank and add some excitement. What are my options for a tank this size? __________________ Corey Current Tank Info: 55 gallon mixed reef

11/30/2018, 11:31 AM	#2
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	Flasher wrasse like a McCosker, yellow fin, carpenter's. Small Halichoeres wrasse, like chrysus or biocellatus. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

12/01/2018, 11:09 AM	#4
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	I agree with a wrasse. My melanurus wrasse used to swim constantly. You could set your clock to the time it went to bed and came out in the morning. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

12/01/2018, 07:57 PM	#6
cody6766 Super Best Friends! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 3,772	I like adding a chromis and a yellow-tailed damsel (1 each). They are active, pretty and cheap to boot. Don't try adding multiples. Even in a 120g, I had to remove all but one, as they will fight until there is only one left anyway. I also like having a wrasse in the tank, especially a fairy wrasse, because of their color and constant movement. __________________ "The moral is the chosen, not the forced; the understood, not the obeyed. The moral is the rational, and reason accepts no commandments." - John Galt Current Tank Info: Cadlights 60G Arisan II mixed reef with 2x MP40s and 24" ATI

12/03/2018, 04:57 PM	#10
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	To me, a 55 corner seems like it would have less footprint (swimming room) than a standard 55. I wouldn't recommend it, but just my opinion. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

12/01/2018, 09:38 AM	#3
drewe93 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Posts: 8	Wrasses, flame angel or coral beauty. Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

12/03/2018, 06:52 PM	#11
Cliving1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 1,923	Flame hawk, midas blenny, or possibly valentine puffer?

12/04/2018, 11:26 AM	#12
jacksonpt Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Vestal, NY Posts: 3,679	Smaller wrasses are always good (mystery wrasse is one of my favorites)... candy hogfish is another. __________________ Jackson - All advice I give is based on my first hand experience. YMMV. Current Tank Info: 38g (mostly LPS) with a 20g sump/fuge and all the other standard goodies

12/04/2018, 12:22 PM	#13
West1 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 57	Midas Blenny, different clownfish variants, yellow wrasse, sixline wrasse (usually aggressive when 2"), melanurus wrasse, flasher wrasse, royal gramma (nice odd color),

12/04/2018, 02:07 PM	#14
Uncle99 Crab Free Zone Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,906	1 anthia, the bright orange ones with blue eyes, fast and out all day. But just 1.

12/05/2018, 01:18 PM	#15
Fourstars Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Third rock Posts: 291	I second the Anthias, My wife loves to point out my eighty dollar gold fish to friends. But I love him.