Advise on which fish to add next

[MNscoe]

My new (and first) 55 gal tank started fine this spring, but ich killed my two clowns and the tang, leaving just one yellow wrasse to survive in the QT/hospital tank after copper and PraziPro treatment. My 72-day DT fallow period ends October 1. I will put the wrasse back in the DT, disinfect the QT, and then want to get a new fish or two in the QT.

So given I'll have a wrasse in the DT for a month establishing himself all alone, how should I add fish? I want to have two clownfish in the tank, plus a few other various fish, such as a sand-sifting goby and maybe a bristletooth tang again.

Question 1: What fish, and in what order, do you recommend I add? Can I start with two Ocellaris next?
Question 2: I know there are lots of recommended fish lists. Anything specific y'all suggest I consider next?

(Got about 8 various small corals, zoa/duncan/mushroom/GSP/xenia/candy cane/paly, one coral banded shrimp, & CUC).
Thanks!

 

[JumboShrimp]

What type of Wrasse?

 

[tbrown]

This is kind of a loaded question...

What types/colors of fish do you want?

You can add 2 clowns basically whenever you're ready after the fallow period is done

If you want "perching" fish, look at gobies and Blennies. Swimming fish has lots of fish available for movement so pick a color.

Algae fish are going to be Blennies or some Gobies - most tangs will quickly outgrow your tank.

Pest defense? You've got your chrysus already but for an awesome splash of blue - Springeri Damsel or Springeri Dottyback - both are less aggressive than your standard Damsels and Dottybacks.

 

[tbrown]

What type of Wrasse?

Halichoeres chrysus silly. Either that or Halichoeres leucoxanthus.

At least that's my assumption.

 

[JumboShrimp]

I wouldn't add a second Wrasse, but you probably knew that. You might in fact want a little more rock in there, for more hiding places/pass-throughs as you add more fish. But that seems like a cool first-fish... a sand-sleeper, right?

 

[JumboShrimp]

This is a neat fish I had once; a Fang Blenny.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I wouldn't add a second Wrasse, but you probably knew that. You might in fact want a little more rock in there, for more hiding places/pass-throughs as you add more fish. But that seems like a cool first-fish... a sand-sleeper, right?

I agree, need more rock and hiding spaces, there is not a single spot where the fish can escape your eyesight. Its extremely stressful to the fish if they can't hide, stress = ich.

 

[MNscoe]

What type of Wrasse?

Yellow Coris Wrasse (or Canary, aka chrysus), about 2" long.

 

[MNscoe]

This is kind of a loaded question...

What types/colors of fish do you want?

You can add 2 clowns basically whenever you're ready after the fallow period is done

If you want "perching" fish, look at gobies and Blennies. Swimming fish has lots of fish available for movement so pick a color.

Algae fish are going to be Blennies or some Gobies - most tangs will quickly outgrow your tank.

Pest defense? You've got your chrysus already but for an awesome splash of blue - Springeri Damsel or Springeri Dottyback - both are less aggressive than your standard Damsels and Dottybacks.

Yes, I'd like both variety of behavior (swim, perch, sand sifter, etc.) and variety of color. I also want what BRS and others call "working fish" that help keep my tank clean, knowing that I'm an imperfect beginner regarding tank maintenance (thus Blennies or Gobies seem like a good candidate).

Wow, that Springeri Damsel is gorgeous! Damsels weren't on my list of candidates because of their general aggressive reputation, but this one seems OK for a beginner. Right? So I'm putting this near the top of my list now (after getting two clowns back in, that's first).

I mentioned sand-sifting gobies which I think is a general term, is there a specific goby I should consider regarding temperament and size and sand-cleaning performance?

Also, how about a Longnose Hawkfish for a red-color and perching behavior? Too aggressive? (I have a coral-banded shrimp, would it be in danger?)

 

[MNscoe]

I agree, need more rock and hiding spaces, there is not a single spot where the fish can escape your eyesight. Its extremely stressful to the fish if they can't hide, stress = ich.

Ok, this is a depressing point for me. I really like my open hardscape and how I laid out the declining heights from right to left, with fun overhangs. It reminds me of actual rockscapes I see scuba diving and gives great visibility for my peninsula orientation. I also wanted discrete islands to discourage soft corals from taking over the tank too much (maybe too cautious, I know). But you guys aren't the first to recommend more rock (both for bacteria load and hiding spaces). Dangnabbit!

So I've been looking at adding rock, and haven't come up with a satisfactory plan yet. But I will keep thinking about this and try to add something. Dangnabbit!

 

[tbrown]

Yes, I'd like both variety of behavior (swim, perch, sand sifter, etc.) and variety of color. I also want what BRS and others call "working fish" that help keep my tank clean, knowing that I'm an imperfect beginner regarding tank maintenance (thus Blennies or Gobies seem like a good candidate).

Wow, that Springeri Damsel is gorgeous! Damsels weren't on my list of candidates because of their general aggressive reputation, but this one seems OK for a beginner. Right? So I'm putting this near the top of my list now (after getting two clowns back in, that's first).

I mentioned sand-sifting gobies which I think is a general term, is there a specific goby I should consider regarding temperament and size and sand-cleaning performance?

Also, how about a Longnose Hawkfish for a red-color and perching behavior? Too aggressive? (I have a coral-banded shrimp, would it be in danger?)

Sand Sifters can vary in behavior. With a semi nature sand bed you might consider a shrimp/prawn Goby and Pistol Shrimp combination.

Hector's Goby or Rainford Goby are algae eaters that also sift the sand and are more appropriate for tanks without large areas of sand. 55 gallons would be good for one of them for sure. They're swimmers so not your typical Goby/Blenny.

Sleeper Gobies are good at sifting large amounts of sand but they're also really good at burying corals that are within an inch or 2 of the sand. They have a tendency to grab mouthfuls of sand, swim up into the water column, and drop the sand everywhere.

 

[MNscoe]

This is a neat fish I had once; a Fang Blenny.

Pretty fish! Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[tbrown]

I also like Neon Cleaner gobies - Bellow, Yellow, and/or Sharknose.

 

[MNscoe]

Sand Sifters can vary in behavior. With a semi nature sand bed you might consider a shrimp/prawn Goby and Pistol Shrimp combination.

Hector's Goby or Rainford Goby are algae eaters that also sift the sand and are more appropriate for tanks without large areas of sand. 55 gallons would be good for one of them for sure. They're swimmers so not your typical Goby/Blenny.

Sleeper Gobies are good at sifting large amounts of sand but they're also really good at burying corals that are within an inch or 2 of the sand. They have a tendency to grab mouthfuls of sand, swim up into the water column, and drop the sand everywhere.

Excellent info, thank you!

 

[winzig]

chalk bass are also nice for this size tank.