Looking for ideas for featured fish

[Guest]

Im looking to add what would be the feature or marquee fish to a 56 gal tank that has a yellow tang, kole tang and a flame angel (all about the same size, 2-3 inches), along with simple corals such as mushrooms and polyps. Lots of live rock, live sand, UV filter, all good equipment.

I was thinking maybe a butterfly, if there are any that would be okay with this type of reef. Maybe a threadfin, or possibly a banner fish. I like angels also, but I gather most are not reef friendly.

Looking for a fish that wouldn't grow beyond, say, 6 inches.

Thanks for feedback and ideas!

 

[mojoreef]

A banner fish would be a nice addition. Make sure you get the right type though. Henochius Dip.. (sp?)


Mike

 

[Guest]

Is one banner fish OK, or must they be in pairs or more?

 

[Rye]

have you ever thought about a mandrin goby... its a brightly colour fish and they have a lot of charter to them... the males have the high dorsal fin, kind of like a fire fish.... or a royal gramma

 

[Guest]

royal gramma would be great....any particular wrasses you would suggest?

 

[Rye]

i would get a fairy wrasse.. they are reef safe and help keep every thing clean, they also eat a lot of parasites. make sure you have a cover on your tank as these guys like to jump

 

[Gauge]

Don't angels (particularly dwarfs) pick at corals?

What about copper-banded butterflies?

 

[Rye]

they might. i have a flame angel in my reef no problem.. the dwarfs are far less likely to pick at corals.. at the fish store i worked at out of all the dwarf angels the only one that was brought back was a bi-colour angel cause it was picking at corals.. its a chance you would have to take but i never had a problem with ppl buying them and destroying there reefs.. the larger ones are no way reef safe!!! i've clean a bunch of tanks for customers that were reef and they have dwarfs in them. its up to you

 

[alrmc4]

i think you already have a lot of fish for a 56 gal tank the kole tang gets to be about 7 inches and the yellow tang 10 not sure on the flame guess would be about 3 or 4...i would not add another fish until i found someone to take at least one of the tangs...sorry jmo

 

[Gauge]

What about the copperbanded butterfly? I've always wanted one of these fish, but I was hoping to add a couple corals in the future, so I didn't bother. Are they prone to eating corals, or have I heard wrong?

 

[Guest]

My flame angel so far (5 months) has not been a problem with the mushrooms or polyps, or anything else. Also, the flame, the kole tang and the yellow tang all seem to get along well.

I have heard, and I think read (perhaps in the Fenner book) that copperbanded butterflies aren't the best choice among butterflies even for a fish only tank. Ive heard that either raccoons or long-nosed are hardier, more peaceful, less finicky eaters as well. I would like to know if either raccoons or long-nosed butterflies are OK with soft corals.

If my tangs outgrow the tank, I will move them.