How about a "cool fish" thread for us newbies?

[bongo fury]

Can some of you "old-timers" tell us about fish...I mean beyond the typical damsels and clowns? I have a 30 gal tank with a couple of clowns (I had to get them for the kids, you know), but I want to add a few more fish. Since my tank is relatively small, I'd prefer fish that are not too aggressive, but with plenty of personality, unusual looks, or other interesting traits. The LFS options are usually somewhat limited, and obviously there's much more available through the internet. However, you can't really see them in action if you order them, so I'd appreciate whatever help you can give in this regard...what are some of your favorite more exotic species, especially those that would fare well in a small tank?

Thanks!

 

[Mthompson]

You could get a lawnmower blenny. The kids will love watching him cruise around sampling bits of algae all day (at least I find them amusing).

You would also be surprised at what people post on youtube.com Go there and search for a specific fish and maybe there will be a video for you to watch.

 

[ChrisRD]

Give us some details about the system. Are we talking about a reef tank, or fish-only? Do you have live rock in the setup? How much sand (if any)? Do you have a top/canopy on this tank? What kind of clowns are in there?

There are lots of choices, but some of them have specific habitat needs. Some are notorious jumpers too. A few that first come to mind are Royal Grammas and Orchid Dottybacks (captive bread) - both very colorful, hardy and reef safe.

There's really too much to list - various Basslets, Jawfish, Assessors, Firefish, Gobies (some of which can form a symbiotic relationship with shrimp - cool to watch), some of the smaller Wrasses, etc... ...I'm sure I'm leaving plenty out...

 

[bongo fury]

I have a reef tank, live rock, deep sand bed (about 5-6 inches), no top. The clowns are actually false percolas. But since other newbies would have different setups, perhaps you could include any specific concerns about the fish you recommend. For example, I understand that some blennies would eat the small organisms I'm trying to establish in my sand bed, correct? Is this a concern with lawnmowers?

 

[Anonymous]

there's nothing wrong with ordering fish online. As long as you order through a reputable one you should be fine. I haven't ordered myself, but I've met a few that have and they have wonderful fish.

For a 30 gallon.... hmm. What I consider "cool" tend to need quite large systems. Maybe a sixline wrasse. I have one myself, but they are on the aggressive side.

 

[WRASSER]

opossum wrasse :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

opossum wrasse :wink:

cool one indeed

 

[WRASSER]

I am looking to get one with the six line and maybe a mystery wrasse as well

 

[Anonymous]

I am looking to get one with the six line and maybe a mystery wrasse as well

mystery wrasse can get too large for your tank

 

[Anonymous]

I am looking to get one with the six line and maybe a mystery wrasse as well

mystery wrasse can get too large for your tank

oops, my bad. I thought it was bongo that wrote that :wink: Mystery wrasse are cool lookin though

 

[cindre2000]

Some 'blennies' eat the organisms in the sand. Scooter blennies sleeper gobies and a couple others, those fish are not good for your tank. Canary Blenny, Bicolor Blenny, and the Lawnmower Blenny would all be good.

A lot of people really like the personality of Jawfish, and you have a deep enough sand bed; however, they are jumpers.

A pistol shrimp goby pair can be fun if the watchers are patient.

A small hawkfish or some of the basslets (the small basslets not some of the 'others') have great little personalities too.

 

[WRASSER]

maybe im wrong but i dont think they get much bigger than a six line, Do they :?:

 

[Anonymous]

maybe im wrong but i dont think they get much bigger than a six line, Do they :?:

i've read that they get 5 inches and have a 30 gallon min. I've seen one that was 4 inches. So slightly larger than a sixline, which is good. Sixline may beat him up :wink:

 

[WRASSER]

Wow six inches, i havent seen one that big yet, but there is hope yea i think the six line will, thats why i will have to put them in at the same time.

 

[ChrisRD]

One of our admins put together a couple of threads on this very topic...
Nano Reef Fish--Part 1
Nano Reef Fish--Part 2

HTH

 

[mr_X]

yellow headed pearly jawfish. the most amusing and interactive member of my tank. i also like the blue spotted jawfish, but i hear they don't live long in captivity.

 

[sparau]

yellow headed pearly jawfish. the most amusing and interactive member of my tank.

They sound really cool and look cute to boot

 

[WRASSER]

Hey ChrisRD... ...Thanks for the site. :wink:




And KUDOS to Matt for doing the WORK :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

Diamond Goby
Midas Blenney

 

[bongo fury]

What Wrasser said...great info on those posts. Thanks to Matt for taking the time to put it out there for us!