Picking Fish????

[BeGiNeR_7]

I am setting up a reef aquarium and have done a lot of reading and researching. I am trying to decide what fish I want in my aquarium but have read a lot of things that contradictory. I am looking for fish that are are reef and invertabrate safe. The fish I am interested in are dwarf angel, butterfly, clown, tang, dragonet, and I was told by the guy at my aquarium store to start with a damsel because it is docile. I also like the triggers and puffers because there different but I have heard bad things. Which of these fish would be best? Can I introduce a puffer or trigger into the mix?

 

[lando]

Welcome to AquariumAdvice.com!!!

dwarf angel

Not considered 100% reef safe. Some people have kept them in reef tanks with no trouble. I have never found one that will leave my corals alone. It is always a gamble.

butterfly

Very few butterlies are actually reef safe. The ones that are are considered difficult to keep. I have a copperband in my reef and it leaves everything alone. It did clean out my feather duster population in the begining. Getting butterflies to readily accept prepared foods is a problem.

clown

Perfect reef fish. They can be aggressive toward each other so do not mix species and if you want more then one, try to get a mated pair.

tang

Another good choice for a reef. Minimum of a 75gal tank for one tang. They need lots of swimming room. Also aggressive so mmake this the last addition.

dragonet

These fish have very specific dietary needs and require a mature tank with LOTS of LR and a thriving pod population. A very poor choice for small or new tanks.

I was told by the guy at my aquarium store to start with a damsel because it is docile

It kind of depends on the species, however, most damsels are very aggressive little fish and can terrorize other tank mates.

Can I introduce a puffer or trigger into the mix?

Not if you want a reef with mobile inverts. They will eat any shrimp, crabs and snails in the tank.

 

[BeGiNeR_7]

Thanks for all the info!

I keep all that in mind when I go to the store