Reef Compatible Fish

[Budda619]

Hi guys. Planning on getting more fish for my tank but undecided. Whats everyones favorite fish for a reef tank? At the moment i only have two firefish and would like more variety. Any suggestions?

[Phranque]

What size tank????

What kind of corals do you have and/or plan on keeping in the future? Do you have inverts? Some fishes will nibble at certain types of corals, and others will leave corals alone, but love to munch on shrimp, etc.

[Budda619]

I have a 30 gallon tank.

One skunk cleaner shrimp
One coral band shrimp
Frogspawn
Candy cane coral
Kenya trees
Orange and blue mushroom
Fire cracker palyps
Pulsing xenia
War coral
Dragon eye zoas

[bavass]

check out www.liveaquaria .com

[Daniel Fishy]

Fairy wrasses, gobies or dotty backs are a few choices.

[Phranque]

LiveAquaria is a great place to get started researching.....

Be aware that the coral banded shrimps are known for their aggressiveness as they get older.... in larger tanks, they're not as bad because they have some room to establish territory, but in a 30, you may have later issues.

Originally Posted by Daniel Fishy

Fairy wrasses, gobies or dotty backs are a few choices.

Most types of fairy wrasse I know of require much larger tanks than a 30.

There are a lot of gobies that would do well.

Many different types of dottybacks..... an orchid is fairly peaceful, whereas a neon is known for attacking ornamental shrimp.



As far as my favorites that would work for you.... six-line wrasse, ocellaris clown, orchid dottyback, yellow watchman goby.

[Budda619]

Originally Posted by Phranque

LiveAquaria is a great place to get started researching.....

Be aware that the coral banded shrimps are known for their aggressiveness as they get older.... in larger tanks, they're not as bad because they have some room to establish territory, but in a 30, you may have later issues.

Most types of fairy wrasse I know of require much larger tanks than a 30.

There are a lot of gobies that would do well.

Many different types of dottybacks..... an orchid is fairly peaceful, whereas a neon is known for attacking ornamental shrimp.

As far as my favorites that would work for you.... six-line wrasse, ocellaris clown, orchid dottyback, yellow watchman goby.

Great info. My CBS is about 3 inches long front to back. He dosent bother my cleaner shrimp or firefish. Hes a little on the soft side, but will remove him if he gets aggressive. I heard six line wrasse likes to nibble corals, does it nibble your corals? Is it because they are hungry?

[Phranque]

Originally Posted by Budda619

I heard six line wrasse likes to nibble corals, does it nibble your corals? Is it because they are hungry?

Not at all.... Mine loves to graze at critters on the rock, but has never touched a coral. IMO, six-lines serve a dual purpose.... they are beautiful fish, and they also act as a part of the clean-up crew.

[Budda619]

Wow thanks! I have nassarius snails as well as a few hermits. They will be safe as well? Looks like i will be going for a six line wrasse in a few days

[bavass]

add the six line last, they are very aggressive. Once you add one usually they will kill anything added

[Budda619]

Is six line compatible with clown fish?

[Phranque]

My ocellaris & six-line get along great.

[Ronin77]

One of my favorites is the Tail Spot Blenny , funny personality. Pretty peaceful

[bavass]

Yes they will get along fine

[Budda619]

So thats 6 fish down thx everyone. I will get two clown fish, blue hippo tang and a six line wrasse (which i will add last) to add with my two fire fish. I was told i can have up to 9 fish considering the surface area i have. Blennys seem cool too. Anyone had a lawnmower blenny?

[Swimzebras]

No hippo tang in a 30 gallon, they get too big and are too active, sorry.

[Phranque]

Absolute NO on the Blue Hippo!! They grow up to a foot long and require a minimum of a 180 gallon tank......
Saltwater Aquarium Fish for Marine Aquariums: Blue Tang

[bavass]

tangs need a 6ft tank. Liveaquaria.com lists minimum tank sizes. I wouldn't put anymore than 3-5 fish in a 30g tank.

[bavass]

They also have a nano section for fish

[Budda619]

Thats great to know!! So i will scratch out the tang.