what are some small, reef-safe fish w/ character?

[morepunkthanewe]

Of all the marine fish that I know that can become "pets", most get too big, or are not safe for a reef tank (I.e. puffers, groupers) Does anyone know of smaller fish that have a lot of character and become real "pets" in their reef tanks?

 

[pathos]

pr of banggai cardinals
pr of baby false percs
lawnmower blenny
small shoal of chromis
mandarin dragonet

 

[clown anonamess]

well i just started a ten gallon nano reef and
i think that the clowns HAVE A LOT of character!!
i also like mandarian dragonets the are COLORFUL

 

[Anonymous]

I'd vote for percula or ocelaris clownfish. Both have tons of personality. In fact, most clownfish do. Most blennys have great personalities as well, I'm a big fan of the bicolor blenny. I also like dottybacks, but I'd stick to fridmani since most others are nasty critters. Even P.fridmani can be a bit of a pain sometimes, but the personality is definitely there. Oh yeah, hawkfishes are great! I personally love the way they swoop and perch, look around, swoop and perch. Great fish.

 

[WWiley]

Assessor's yellow or blue. WWiley
America's Bryopsis King

 

[Jimmy G]

Bi-Color Blennies are very cool

Great fish, one of my favorites.

 

[Anonymous]

Mandarins need a verg large tank with a very large pod population.

I vote for long nose hawks.

 

[Anemone]

If you don't want to have shrimp, flame hawks are a lot of fun to watch (lots of personality). A flame hawk will quickly learn that the aquarist represents food and will come to the surface to beg when you come in (and coming to the surface is difficult for these guys, as they have an underdeveloped swim bladder, so most of the time they "perch" (like a hawk) and hop from place to place).

I also like sixline wrasses.

Kevin

 

[jamesw]

I like the red-headed goby. Get a pair, they will spawn in your tank. Ful adult size is under 2"

Cheers
James

 

[D-Nak]

My vote is for blennies -- like the bi-color mentioned. They have tons of personality. Mine used to greet me when I came near the tank. They also make weird marks on the tank walls then there is algae -- it's a good way to tell when it's time to clean the glass.