Fish for 50 Gallon

[eben]

I am planning my new 60 x 60 cube (24" x 24') . What do you guys suggest as nice fish for this tank?

 

[eatbreakfast]

There are a lot to choose from. What fishes catch your eye?

 

[Zionas]

You can’t go wrong with a pair of Ocellaris or Percula Clowns. Can’t think of a single person here who’s never had them / doesn’t currently have them. They are also by far the most readily available captive bred fish (along with clowns in general). I’m getting two for my tank.

A Flame Hawkfish would be really cool too. I find them super cute and they’re the least aggressive among Hawkfish. Just be wary though if you plan on keeping any shrimp or snails or crabs. You could also do a Longnose, Coral (Spotted), or Falco Hawkfish. The Falco is the smallest among these.

A Yellow Watchman / Pink Spotted Watchman Goby (any Watchman goby of genus Cryptocentrus) would be another good choice. If you can find a Pistol Shrimp the symbiosis is very interesting to watch. Not sure how it would do if you decide to get a Hawkfish though, as they’re both bottom dwelling fish and the Goby is by far the more peaceful one. If you get a Watchman Goby you will need a sand bed for it to burrow.

Basslets are another type of fish worth considering. Royal Gramma, Blackcap Basslet, Swissguard Basslet, Swales Basslet, or one of the Assessors (Yellow / McNeill / Randall’s) are all worth a look.

Pajama Cardinals are also worth a look, from what I’ve heard keeping them in odd numbers would be better. They’re tougher than the Bangaiis from what I’ve read and on average, live longer too. I have read posts by a couple of people saying they’ve had their PJs for over a decade.

Dottybacks would be yet another option but with the exception of the relatively more peaceful Fridmani / Orchid Dottyback, the others can get really aggressive.

Maybe even some damsels? The only genus I’d look at would be Chrysiptera, which contains the relatively better behaved damsels like the Azure, Talbot’s, Springer’s etc.

Some wrasses will do too, but the 4 and 6-Line wrasses get really aggressive.

 

[eben]

Thank you for the comprehensive and helpful information, Zionas

 

[Zionas]

Thanks. I haven’t started my own tank yet, believe it or not, I’m just giving you the info I’ve picked up from reading different websites and from posting here. However, I feel these fish are relatively safe bets for a beginner.

 

[eben]

Thanks. I haven’t started my own tank yet, believe it or not, I’m just giving you the info I’ve picked up from reading different websites and from posting here. However, I feel these fish are relatively safe bets for a beginner.

When are you starting? I have been in marines for a couple of years. Currently have a small nano, so looking to upgrade.

 

[Dinodanger]

I am planning my new 60 x 60 cube (24" x 24') . What do you guys suggest as nice fish for this tank?

Most species of wrasse would be a good choice if your planning to have some rock work there good for colour also

 

[AC1211]

Thanks. I haven’t started my own tank yet, believe it or not, I’m just giving you the info I’ve picked up from reading different websites and from posting here. However, I feel these fish are relatively safe bets for a beginner.

I started my tank a year ago with my only death being a skunk cleaner shrimp for a stupid reason. I have 11 fish and 5 corals plus a flower anemone in my 60g. I would recommend only one of these fish to anyone as the others either serve a purpose or poop more than they are worth to me (includes clownfish pair and chromis they poop too much for their worth) (my 2 tangs are good but don't eat the problem hair algae for me) (diamond watchman goby cleans the sand) but the yellow coris wrasse is by far my favorite fish. It has eaten coral pest and bristleworms and it is an amazing fish. It is likely the one fish I do not intend to ever change out of this tank. Don't be afraid to get temporary fish if your store takes stuff back and you are unsure of your skills but a yellow coris wrasse is an easy safe bet that even works well in low nutrient tanks.

 

[Zionas]

I’ll be starting my tank in another month or so. Currently because of the coronavirus situation I am trapped in Taiwan. I am a Chinese hobbyist and the borders have been shut (for the mainland) since March 28th. Big bummer.


My tank will be 4 foot, 120cm by 60cm by 55cm, so a pretty decent size.

 

[Mikedawg]

You can’t go wrong with a pair of Ocellaris or Percula Clowns. Can’t think of a single person here who’s never had them / doesn’t currently have them. They are also by far the most readily available captive bred fish (along with clowns in general). I’m getting two for my tank.

A Flame Hawkfish would be really cool too. I find them super cute and they’re the least aggressive among Hawkfish. Just be wary though if you plan on keeping any shrimp or snails or crabs. You could also do a Longnose, Coral (Spotted), or Falco Hawkfish. The Falco is the smallest among these.

A Yellow Watchman / Pink Spotted Watchman Goby (any Watchman goby of genus Cryptocentrus) would be another good choice. If you can find a Pistol Shrimp the symbiosis is very interesting to watch. Not sure how it would do if you decide to get a Hawkfish though, as they’re both bottom dwelling fish and the Goby is by far the more peaceful one. If you get a Watchman Goby you will need a sand bed for it to burrow.

Basslets are another type of fish worth considering. Royal Gramma, Blackcap Basslet, Swissguard Basslet, Swales Basslet, or one of the Assessors (Yellow / McNeill / Randall’s) are all worth a look.

Pajama Cardinals are also worth a look, from what I’ve heard keeping them in odd numbers would be better. They’re tougher than the Bangaiis from what I’ve read and on average, live longer too. I have read posts by a couple of people saying they’ve had their PJs for over a decade.

Dottybacks would be yet another option but with the exception of the relatively more peaceful Fridmani / Orchid Dottyback, the others can get really aggressive.

Maybe even some damsels? The only genus I’d look at would be Chrysiptera, which contains the relatively better behaved damsels like the Azure, Talbot’s, Springer’s etc.

Some wrasses will do too, but the 4 and 6-Line wrasses get really aggressive.

Great ideas, I would add in some other goby species particularly clowns and neon cleaners - interesting and colorful. Also consider canary and fork tail blennies.

 

[Mikedawg]

You can’t go wrong with a pair of Ocellaris or Percula Clowns. Can’t think of a single person here who’s never had them / doesn’t currently have them. They are also by far the most readily available captive bred fish (along with clowns in general). I’m getting two for my tank.

A Flame Hawkfish would be really cool too. I find them super cute and they’re the least aggressive among Hawkfish. Just be wary though if you plan on keeping any shrimp or snails or crabs. You could also do a Longnose, Coral (Spotted), or Falco Hawkfish. The Falco is the smallest among these.

A Yellow Watchman / Pink Spotted Watchman Goby (any Watchman goby of genus Cryptocentrus) would be another good choice. If you can find a Pistol Shrimp the symbiosis is very interesting to watch. Not sure how it would do if you decide to get a Hawkfish though, as they’re both bottom dwelling fish and the Goby is by far the more peaceful one. If you get a Watchman Goby you will need a sand bed for it to burrow.

Basslets are another type of fish worth considering. Royal Gramma, Blackcap Basslet, Swissguard Basslet, Swales Basslet, or one of the Assessors (Yellow / McNeill / Randall’s) are all worth a look.

Pajama Cardinals are also worth a look, from what I’ve heard keeping them in odd numbers would be better. They’re tougher than the Bangaiis from what I’ve read and on average, live longer too. I have read posts by a couple of people saying they’ve had their PJs for over a decade.

Dottybacks would be yet another option but with the exception of the relatively more peaceful Fridmani / Orchid Dottyback, the others can get really aggressive.

Maybe even some damsels? The only genus I’d look at would be Chrysiptera, which contains the relatively better behaved damsels like the Azure, Talbot’s, Springer’s etc.

Some wrasses will do too, but the 4 and 6-Line wrasses get really aggressive.
And maybe a smaller species of fairy wrasse

 

[Baby Ray]

Fire fish are always good if you have a lid.
A more obscure fish that I personally love are the ORA white spotted filefish. They seem to be relatively reef safe (mine never nipped any corals), they have great personality, can change colors some depending on mood and aren't too difficult to take care of once they get acclimated.
You can never go wrong with a shrimp goby pair either.