Tang-like fish for 40 gallon

[Mr Fishface]

So my tank is coming up on two years old in a couple of weeks. My LFS usually has a black Friday sale so I thought this would be a good time to add a fish to my tank. It is a 40 gallon cube and has a pair of clowns, a buan sand goby and a single springeri damsel. My issue right now is that my fish hide all day behind or under the rocks. My clowns are the most active but they still only come out sometimes.

I'm wanting to add a fish like a tang. Ideally I would add a tang but that's not good for the fish. I like that they are always out and swimming. When I had my 125 my rabbitfish was another I loved but, again, I have a small tank now. I have thought about adding a dwarf angel and accepting it might eat some corals. I really only have soft corals now. Mushrooms, zoas, and Xenia. I do feed pretty heavy so maybe that would help too. What would you all recommend? I want something active to give my tank something to watch. Thanks!

 

[Tamberav]

A Pygmy angelfish

My springer and clowns are very visible, not why yours are being reclusive.

 

[fishywishy]

Flame, flame back, coral beauty, and lemon peel angelfish are good options. Lemon peel looks the most like a tang IMO but its the least reef safe of the 4.

 

[Mr Fishface]

A Pygmy angelfish

My springer and clowns are very visible, not why yours are being reclusive.

I don't know either but they've always been like that. I've had them a long time too so not like they are getting used to things lol. Just shy I suppose.

 

[Mr Fishface]

Flame, flame back, coral beauty, and lemon peel angelfish are good options. Lemon peel looks the most like a tang IMO but its the least reef safe of the 4.

My LFS has a really nice looking lemon peel too, but I've been reading they aren't reef safe. I get conflicting reports on what corals they eat, but maybe they eat all corals? I wonder if they would eat caulpera, I've thought about adding some to my tank for some color and most things don't seem to like it.

 

[littlefoxx]

I say a dwarf angel! I love coral beauties and bi colors

 

[Tahoe61]

My LFS has a really nice looking lemon peel too, but I've been reading they aren't reef safe. I get conflicting reports on what corals they eat, but maybe they eat all corals? I wonder if they would eat caulpera, I've thought about adding some to my tank for some color and most things don't seem to like it.

Oh no. That would be a nightmare. Absolutely stunning no go fish in smaller tanks.

 

[fishywishy]

My LFS has a really nice looking lemon peel too, but I've been reading they aren't reef safe. I get conflicting reports on what corals they eat, but maybe they eat all corals? I wonder if they would eat caulpera, I've thought about adding some to my tank for some color and most things don't seem to like it.

Yeah, I wasn’t planning to add it to the list because of that. I think lemon peels have about a 60/40 chance of nipping, compared to the like 30/70 chance with other dwarf angels. They mostly tend to nip at LPS corals more than anything else. Plenty of people have had good luck with them, while others have ended up with monsters. I just included it because it would be perfect if you’re looking for a small fish that resembles a tang.

 

[vetteguy53081]

So my tank is coming up on two years old in a couple of weeks. My LFS usually has a black Friday sale so I thought this would be a good time to add a fish to my tank. It is a 40 gallon cube and has a pair of clowns, a buan sand goby and a single springeri damsel. My issue right now is that my fish hide all day behind or under the rocks. My clowns are the most active but they still only come out sometimes.

I'm wanting to add a fish like a tang. Ideally I would add a tang but that's not good for the fish. I like that they are always out and swimming. When I had my 125 my rabbitfish was another I loved but, again, I have a small tank now. I have thought about adding a dwarf angel and accepting it might eat some corals. I really only have soft corals now. Mushrooms, zoas, and Xenia. I do feed pretty heavy so maybe that would help too. What would you all recommend? I want something active to give my tank something to watch. Thanks!

Kole eye or tomini tang
other would be pyramid butterfly

 

[ninjamyst]

Wrasse will be out and colorful.

 

[voelter76]

Perhaps an Anthias? Mine are always on the move and a lot of fun to watch. They do require quite a lot of food. The ones I have spend 100% of their time eating it seems.