Fish suggestion
 

Hi,

Can anyone recommend a fish that is:
1) SPS safe
2) Nano suitable (37G)
3) Open water swimmer
4) Likes lots of flow

So far I've reduced the amount of rock in my tank and greatly increased the swimming area. The problem is, none of the current inhabitants (2 clowns, sixline, soon to be removed goby) stray very far from the rockwork. Can anyone suggest a nice small fish that likes to cruise around in the water rather than hide in the rocks?

Thanks.

reply
 

Unfortunately many of the water column swimmers are to large to be housed in a 37 gallon tank. ie) Tangs and large angels. The good news is that there are still many smaller fish that are interesting and will be compatable with your set up.

You might comsider the basses family (purple and bi-color pseudochromis) which aren't exactly water column swimmers but interesting none the less. You may want to try your hand at a dwarf angel as well, flame or coral beaty. They may pic occasionally at polyps but they are well worth keeping IMO.

Good Luck!

Danny

Hey Harvey,

What about a longnose hawk fish! They are reef-safe, very peaceful, min tank size read is a 30 gal tank and the max size they get is 4" long if that.

The longnose is so cool to watch! Has quite the personality! It will always be watching you and when its not swimming it loves to perch on top of the highest rocks. Plus I think the colors of the hawkfish would look SUPER cool in your tank! :biggrin:

I was at Big Al's last night, there was (3 left) @ $50.00. Which is a great deal considering AI had these guys a couple of months back for $75.


Here's a link of a pic of one,
http://species.fishindex.com/photo_3..._hawkfish.html

Hi,

Danny:
Yeah, I've come to the same conclusion that most of the water column fish get fairly large and require larger tanks. I'm just hoping someone can recommend a fish that could possibly work in my situation. Its unfortunate that the open swimmers such as angels, anthias and tangs need such large tanks.

I'm also worried about the Pseudo Chromis getting along with my Sixline who is already established in the tank.

Lee:
I was considering a hawkfish for a while, but I'm worries that they will eat my crabs in my clean up crew! Also, I don't know if a longnose is an open water swimmer...I always thought they were more of a perching fish that likes to sit on liverock/corals.

Keep the suggestions coming!

Hawkfishes have no swim bladder so they won't hang out in the water column. As far as eating your crusties go, the longnose is supposed to be a little better than some of the others due to its smaller mouth, but don't take my word on that. I expect it would still be able to eat hermit crabs.

How about a wrasse, either lined or fairy? And there are always clownfishes.

I thought mixing wrasses was a big no no?

Oh didn't notice that you already had a sixline. Not sure if it would be alright with a fairy wrasse or not.

reply
 

What about some cardinals? They are dosile and hang out in the open. They school together which is always cool and they would get along with your other fish.

what about green chromis's. And they stay small so you could probably keep about 3. One of my favorite fish, especially in big schools.

Harvey,

long nose hawk fish are reef safe unlike other hawkfish. Mine longnose was in my big reef tank, with crabs, shrimps, lobster, snails and other inverts and never touched a thing. There mouth is not big and no teeth to crack them open. Mine also like would do powerhhead surfing. It kept doing it so it looked fun. :lol: But I found mine was always visual, never hide, like some of the angels. If the longnose was not swimming it was perching proud on the highest rock.

:mrgreen: