Fish stock ideas

ScubaSteve · #1 04-12-2011, 10:51 PM

After losing my butterfly and mandarin in a recent ich + mystery disease, I am starting to look for new fish. I am also going to be rebuilding my entire before getting them, so I've got at least a month or two, but I am looking for ideas.

After the rebuild, the tank is going to be a 45 gallon rimless cube (24"x24"x18") with a 15 gallon sump, vertex IN80 skimmer and a Coralife 250W Halide with 2x65W actinics. The tank has no top to it.

Currently I only have a midas blenny and a randall's goby, a pistol shrimp and 2 cleaners. And a LOT of coral. I keep mostly SPS with a garden of rics and zoas in the bottom areas of the rock work and a smattering of LPS and other corals that catch my fancy. I am going to be rescaping to give even more open swimming area.

I am looking for some ideas of new fish to stock the tank. I'm really looking for colorful fish with a ton of personality (trying to replace a sorely missed butterfly) and peaceful. I am open to all ideas!

cathyg_99 · #2 04-12-2011, 11:17 PM

6 line wrasse

ScubaSteve · #3 04-12-2011, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cathyg_99

6 line wrasse

Ya, they've been on the list for a while. Had one for a while in my other tank. I'm looking for something with a little more pizzazz (you can't see but I'm doing jazz hands right now) and out of the ordinary.

cathyg_99 · #4 04-12-2011, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScubaSteve

Ya, they've been on the list for a while. Had one for a while in my other tank. I'm looking for something with a little more pizzazz (you can't see but I'm doing jazz hands right now) and out of the ordinary.

its funny you said that because when i read pizzazz jazz hands were what i was thinking...

cathyg_99 · #5 04-12-2011, 11:53 PM

i know the tang police will get me for this... but what about a small yellow? mine has tones of personality or a bananna wrasse?

ponokareefer · #6 04-13-2011, 12:05 AM

With an open top, I wouldn't get a wrasse as they are all jumpers.

What about a clownfish or pair. I'd look at one of the milder mannered ones, occelaris, percula, skunk, saddleback.

A royal gramma should work in there as well and is very colorful.

whatcaneyedo · #7 04-13-2011, 02:40 AM

EDIT: Like ponokareefer said, a wrasse will jump out of there in no time. Two weeks ago I lost my banana wrasse when it jumped out of my 140gal frag tank which had an open top.

ScubaSteve · #8 04-13-2011, 03:37 AM

Ya, I've played the wrasse game before. It's a bit like roullette. I've been debating having a go with a wrasse again knowing that I might be taking a chance.

I've been playing this game long enough that I know which fish are jumpers, which are gonna destroy everything in my tank, etc. I really am wanting to try something different this time around and I don't mind taking a bit of a risk or trying harder species. I appreciate the suggestions of clowns and six-line wrasses but, without sounding like a jerk: been there, done that. Those were my beginner fish.

I've been debating taking a crack at an angel tank similar to John Coppolino's tank, but with the dwarf species: flame, potters, coral beauty, bicolour, etc... I know it'll be a challenge but I've got some tricks up my sleeve.

or trying out some of the smaller anthias...

or having another go at a butterfly... maybe a Copperbanded (HERE COME CBB POLICE!!!)

Or as cathy said, try a small tang...

ponokareefer · #9 04-13-2011, 03:40 AM

I'm not sure if you are into cardinals, but bangaii's might be something interesting.

No offense on the clowns.

naesco · #10 04-13-2011, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cathyg_99

i know the tang police will get me for this... but what about a small yellow? mine has tones of personality or a bananna wrasse?

No Cathy. Small yellow tangs soon get to be big yellow tangs and his tank is way too small for a tang.