Small schooling fish

[Aidanflower]

I have a 90 gallon reef tank and i would like a bunch of small schooling fish. I dont have nor do i plan on getting anything that will pret on small fish. I would like fairly in expensive colorful enough but don't have to be a focus point kind of colorful, if you know what i mean. Any ideas?

 

[fishmakemebroke]

Green Chromis are real cheap ($4 each at my lfs) and they are a bright fish and very active.

 

[Aidanflower]

I have heard that they will kill each other off. I have also experienced them being very seseptible to a disease/parasite that makes their scales all red and its not good. I have also been confirmed by my lfs that this is very common. For those reasons i would like to stay away from them. Thanks

 

[bribo12]

How about a group of cardinals?

 

[Aidanflower]

I have 3 cardinals. Two of the stay together and the other one is on the other side. I would like something with a bit more color and if possible more movement. Thanks

 

[bribo12]

One of the smaller anthias would probably work. Try bartletts or dispar

 

[Aidanflower]

I have looked at anthias but live aquaria to keep a group of them i would need at least a 125 gallon tank. What are your thoughts of keeping a smaller species of anthias, i male and 2 or 3 female in my 90 gallon

 

[melosu58]

I have found the lyretail anthias to be pretty hardy. I got three years ago and they are still with me. Even had one morph into a male.

 

[Aidanflower]

I like them to. I also like the distinct differences between the male and female so if i get a few it looks like the male has a bunch of (moderator edit) following him around. How big is your tank?

 

[Aidanflower]

I am also curious if there are any other fish other than anthias where it would be best to keep one male to multiple females

 

[bribo12]

I am also curious if there are any other fish other than anthias where it would be best to keep one male to multiple females

What about a trio of flasher wrasses?

 

[bettaowner]

There is some debate about it but I think some fire fish could work.

 

[carey]

How about blue reef chromis? I had a bunch of them and it took years for them to slowly dwindle to 2. They are bigger than the blue/greens and I really liked them. I even had 2 of mine pair up and they laid eggs.

I have 7 blue green ones right now and they are inseparable so far. other than they keep jumping into my overflow they are pretty neat.

 

[Stlrockguy]

I have 5 blue/green chromis. They've been in my tank almost 2 months and always swim together. No fighting yet and really cool to watch. Even my blue tang and clowns swim with them a lot

 

[dragonfisher33]

firefish would school as well.

 

[melosu58]

Mine is a 125 gallon reef.

 

[Aidanflower]

Mine is a 125 gallon reef.

What do you think about getting three maybe 4 for my 90 reef?

 

[melosu58]

I have heard that you need to get an odd number for them to be successful. I would try 3 of them. What type are you going to get?

 

[Aidanflower]

I was thinking about lyretails because i like the coloring differences between the males and females. So it would be best to get one mail and 2 females rather than 1 male and 3 females.

 

[Ericwm]

I was thinking about lyretails because i like the coloring differences between the males and females. So it would be best to get one mail and 2 females rather than 1 male and 3 females.

I am also looking into 3 lyretails for my 90 gallon that is currently cycling. If you decide to do this you will have to keep me updated on them.