Fish Suggestions for a mixed 90DT

[redfishbluefish]

I always hated these kinds of posts because I alway thought fish selection was so personal....like buying a car. You'd have to know I like small foreign sports cars, and even at that, German, English, Japanese, etc...who knowns. However, I thought I'd entertain suggestions for replacement fish.

Anyway, a little back story: I originally had the following fish
Yellow Tang
Scopas Tang
2 Pajama Cardinals
Yellow Longnose Butterfly
2 Clowns
Diamond Goby
Melanerrus Wrasse

What happened is that I had a cucumber go nuclear, and it killed all but the clowns, goby and wrasse. The tank is a five foot 90 gallon tank. I'm curious what fish suggestions you might have. Not sure if I want to go back with tangs, althought they keep the tank algae free. And don't even bring up damsels (other than the two clowns I have) because I've tried them and they are just bullies and killers. I want a peaceful community tank with reasonably priced fish. What suggestions do you have?

 

[CodyRVA]

I had a long nose hawkfish in the past, awesome personality, a jumper for sure, but from my experience reef safe despite small snails/crabs. I also enjoy watching my clown goby, interesting little fish. Although i've heard mixed reviews of rabbitfish, my one spot foxface is another fun one to watch, never had any issue with him nipping so long as I keep him fat and happy.

 

[melypr1985]

Just a list of possibles.... not a stock list since some of these couldnt go together
fairy wrasse
Firefish (purple are my favorites)
Yellow coris wrasse
Banggai cardinals
chalk basslet
blackcap basslet
any dottyback

 

[theblackpearl]

Ive been wanting a kole eye tang for awhile now. Very good looking fish & good for smaller tanks
Ive also been wanting a flame hawkfish, very cool personality

 

[wkscott]

I always hated these kinds of posts because I alway thought fish selection was so personal....like buying a car. You'd have to know I like small foreign sports cars, and even at that, German, English, Japanese, etc...who knowns. However, I thought I'd entertain suggestions for replacement fish.

Anyway, a little back story: I originally had the following fish
Yellow Tang
Scopas Tang
2 Pajama Cardinals
Yellow Longnose Butterfly
2 Clowns
Diamond Goby
Melanerrus Wrasse

What happened is that I had a cucumber go nuclear, and it killed all but the clowns, goby and wrasse. The tank is a five foot 90 gallon tank. I'm curious what fish suggestions you might have. Not sure if I want to go back with tangs, althought they keep the tank algae free. And don't even bring up damsels (other than the two clowns I have) because I've tried them and they are just bullies and killers. I want a peaceful community tank with reasonably priced fish. What suggestions do you have?

You are absolutely correct. Picking aquarium inhabitants is strictly a personal choice, as long as there are no compatibility or size issues. You're an experienced fishkeeper, just pick what makes YOU happy.

 

[Maritimer]

Royal gramma - maybe even a small group of them. (I'm told that if you start with small ones, they can form a harem.)

Fairy wrasses - Lubbock's, orange-back and exquisite are three I enjoy. There are an awful lot of them, and their personalities (and colors!) cover quite a spectrum. Fortunately, Hunter ("Evolved") has created a wonderful chart that'll tell you who gets along with whom.

Flasher wrasses - exotic flair and finnage, so long as you like orangey reds! Use a social acclimation box, as your melanurus may not be overly welcoming to another wrasse.

Gobies - watchmen, shrimp-gobies, clown gobies ... there are lots, and most neither too large nor terribly aggresive. Fascinating behaviours are a bonus, whether it's pairing with a pistol shrimp or cleaning your other fish. Might want to avoid sand-sifters.

Firefish - as gentle and peaceful as they come.

Dartfish - green zebras, blue gudgeons - they'll take the high road, hanging in a group below the surface. Long, thin and peaceful, but like firefish, they won't cover a lot of territory. They'll find a space they like to chill in, and wait for dinner to drift in on the current.

Dwarf angelfish - yes, there's a risk ... some species seem to be up to 80% safe with LPS and zoas, much safer with SPS, but there are some folks who maintain that "it's not 'if', but 'when'."

Anthias - some need more room, some prefer to be in a group, but most can do well in a 90, and some do well as singletons. They do like lots of smaller meals, though . . .

Just a few thoughts to populate your brain with . . .

~Bruce

 

[Maritimer]

You are absolutely correct. Picking aquarium inhabitants is strictly a personal choice, as long as there are no compatibility or size issues. You're an experienced fishkeeper, just pick what makes YOU happy.

Was thinking about this earlier today - the best fish for your tank are fish you won't mind looking at for the next fifteen years or so! (>_<)

~Bruce

 

[eatbreakfast]

Flame and/or longnose hawkfish
Purple tilefish
Marine betta
Yellow assessor
Grammistes blenny
Fairy and flasher wrasses

 

[Lowstorm]

Instead of a tang for algae grab a blenny! Mine has so much personality.

 

[tgfitz1]

A few suggestions that are perhaps underrated in my opinion and not too commonly found in our reefs could be:

A trio of Dispar Anthias
A trio of Purple Tilefish
A pair of Pyramid Butterflies,

All completely different but equally beautiful

 

[redfishbluefish]

Thank you everyone for the responses. There are definitely some fish on this list I never would have considered, but now I'm going to visit all......and have a difficult time making selections. Here is a summary of all the suggestions, I believe in alphabetical order. Again, thanks.

Dwarf angelfish (Maritimer)
Anthias (Maritimer)
Dispar Anthias (3) (tgfitz1)
Yellow assessor (eatbreakfast)
blackcap basslet (melypr1985)
chalk basslet (melypr1985)
Blenny (Lowstorm)
Grammistes blenny (eatbreakfast)
Banggai cardinals (melypr1985)
Pyramid Butterflies (2) (tgfitz1)
Dartfish (Maritimer)
dottyback (melypr1985)
Firefish (purple are my favorites) (melypr1985) (Maritimer)
one spot foxface (CodyRVA)
Gobies (Maritimer)
clown goby (CodyRVA)
Royal gramma (Maritimer)
Flame hawkfish (eatbreakfast)
long nose hawkfish (CodyRVA) (eatbreakfast)
rabbitfish (CodyRVA)
kole eye tang (theblackpearl)
Purple tilefish (eatbreakfast) (tgfitz1)
fairy wrasse (melypr1985) (Maritimer) (eatbreakfast)
Flasher wrasses (Maritimer) (eatbreakfast)
Yellow coris wrasse (melypr1985)

 

[redfishbluefish]

I'm actually going to start doing my research for fish right here within this thread by capturing info and pictures from LiveAquaria. I'm not necessarily purchasing from them, but simply using information provided there for comparative purposes. For those suggestions that are general fish categories, such as Anthias, I'll pick one or two representatives. If you feel I'm missing a good representative, please chime in.

Dwarf angelfish (Maritimer)
Coral Beauty Angelfish

Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
$ 29.99
Pro/Con: potential coral picker.

Flame Angelfish

Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
$ 49.99
Pro/Con: potential coral picker.


Anthias (Maritimer)
A number of them, such as Lyretail, require 125 gallon tank.
Resplendent Anthias

Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
$ 34.99 (F)/$ 39.99 (M)
Pro/Con: Multiple feeding per day


Dispar Anthias (3) (tgfitz1)

Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
$ 29.99
Pro/Con: Multiple feeding per day


Yellow assessor (eatbreakfast)

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
$ 49.99
Pro/Con:


blackcap basslet (melypr1985)

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
$ 69.99
Pro/Con:


chalk basslet (melypr1985)

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
$18.99
Pro/Con:


Blenny (Lowstorm)
Midas Blenny

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
$ 39.99
Pro/Con: Nip at gobies


Grammistes blenny (eatbreakfast)

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
$ 15.99
Pro/Con:

 

[Kmsutows]

Chalk bass are great! I also really enjoy my marine Betta. Some say they will eat small shrimp but mines never tried to eat anything in the tank. Anthias are great peaceful fish if you can keep up with feedings, lyretails are hardy. One of the coolest fish are jawfish but again need more attention and are definitely jumpers. Lost a blue spot jawfish that jumped.

 

[Bronc]

I'd second the vote for a Watchman Goby / Tiger Pistol Shrimp pair. I love mine. Also love my Coral Beauty.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Banggai cardinals (melypr1985)

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
$ 16.99
Pro/Con:


Pyramid Butterflies (2) (tgfitz1)

Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
$ 49.99
Pro/Con: Tank size


Dartfish (Maritimer)
Scissortail Dartfish

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
$ 14.99
Pro/Con:


Firefish

Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
$ 12.99
Pro/Con:


dottyback (melypr1985)
Purple Stripe Dottyback

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
$12.99
Pro/Con: mort says no - not peaceful


Neon Dottyback

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
$ 49.99
Pro/Con: mort says no - not peaceful


Firefish (purple are my favorites) (melypr1985) (Maritimer)
AKA Dartfish
Firefish, Helfrichi

Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
$ 89.99
Pro/Con:


one spot foxface (CodyRVA)

Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
$ 59.99
Pro/Con:


Gobies (Maritimer)
Tiger Watchman Goby

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
$ 49.99
Pro/Con:


clown goby (CodyRVA)

Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
$10.99
Pro/Con:

 

[justingraham]

I like the magnificent fox face he's a joy to watch.
Also I like my chevron tang even tho u said u don't want tangs.
Bi color blenny are awesome as well
And I know u said no to damsels but what about a bunch of chromis to school at the top of the tank

 

[redfishbluefish]

Royal gramma (Maritimer)

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
$ 19.99
Pro/Con:


Flame hawkfish (eatbreakfast)

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
$ 59.99
Pro/Con: Reef Compatible with caution


long nose hawkfish (CodyRVA) (eatbreakfast)

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
$ 39.99
Pro/Con: Reef Compatible: With Caution


rabbitfish (CodyRVA)
Two Barred Rabbitfish

Minimum Tank Size: 180 gallons
$ 29.99
Pro/Con: Tank Size.


kole eye tang (theblackpearl)

Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
$46.99
Pro/Con:


Purple tilefish (eatbreakfast) (tgfitz1)

Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
$ 69.99
Pro/Con:


fairy wrasse (melypr1985) (Maritimer) (eatbreakfast)
Whip Fin Fairy Wrasse

Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
$ 44.99
Pro/Con:eatbreakfast says no to this guy.


Multicolor Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse

Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
$ 29.99
Pro/Con:


Orange-Back Fairy Wrasse

Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons
$ 74.99
Pro/Con:


Flasher wrasses (Maritimer) (eatbreakfast)

Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons
$ 39.99
Pro/Con:


Yellow coris wrasse (melypr1985)

Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
$ 19.99
Pro/Con:

 

[redfishbluefish]

Additional Suggestions:

Marine Betta (Kmsutows)

Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
$ 69.99
Pro/Con:

 

[melypr1985]

I love the lubbocks!!! They are beautiful and that picture really doesn't do it any justice.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I love the lubbocks!!! They are beautiful and that picture really doesn't do it any justice.

Is this one a little better?