Any suggestions for getting more fish?

[CatsandClowns]

Heyo!

This is my current 38-gallon Fiji Cube. With all the rock, the actual water volume is probably closer to 30 gallons. Stocking right now is two super docile clowns, a royal gramma, and a mandarin.

Lately I’ve been thinking about adding more fish. Most of the time the tank looks pretty empty, with everyone mostly hanging out in their own little zones on the left side or in the back. They’re almost never in the mid-water column or on the right side. I don’t think it’s a flow issue since they don’t seem to be fighting the current.

Between the empty-looking right side and the low nutrients (even after cutting back water changes), it seems like I might have room and bioload for one or two more fish.

Do you have any thoughts or suggestions on what might be a good addition?

 

[tbrown]

For a nice pop of blue, I like the Springeri Damsel.

 

[Bucrob]

If you wanted the "big fish" experience, you could get a small tang and rehome it once it gets to big. I kept a tiny blue tang in my 15g for about a month and a half then rehomed into my 150g, may be to much work though, if you don't have a shrimp though get a shrimp, i always see my blood shrimp out and about or dangling under the rock and makes for a nice color pop

 

[Bucrob]

If you wanted the "big fish" experience, you could get a small tang and rehome it once it gets to big. I kept a tiny blue tang in my 15g for about a month and a half then rehomed into my 150g, may be to much work though, if you don't have a shrimp though get a shrimp, i always see my blood shrimp out and about or dangling under the rock and makes for a nice color pop

nvm im blind i see it now

 

[Bucrob]

Maybe a banggai cardinal or purple firefish?

 

[CatsandClowns]

For a nice pop of blue, I like the Springeri Damsel.

Now that you mention it, my LFS has had one for months in holding, from what Ive gathered its still healthy so might be worth looking into. Have you had any experience with aggression with them?

 

[CatsandClowns]

If you wanted the "big fish" experience, you could get a small tang and rehome it once it gets to big. I kept a tiny blue tang in my 15g for about a month and a half then rehomed into my 150g, may be to much work though, if you don't have a shrimp though get a shrimp, i always see my blood shrimp out and about or dangling under the rock and makes for a nice color pop

I dont like the idea of having to rehome a fish, Ive no way of knowing how the next person will take care of them. As much as I would like a larger fish, I think it best they stay around 3.5 inches(max) or less. The shrimp is really nice, hungry as the rest of them, though I wish the fish would be kinder to him; they seem to have some sort of grudge.

 

[CatsandClowns]

Maybe a banggai cardinal or purple firefish?

Love both choices, though Im not sure why firefish are so expensive near me when the Banggai are much cheaper. I find the appearance and behavior of the Banggai to be more interesting, so this is fairly high up on the list! Considering getting a pair, and Banggai cardinals seem like the least competitive option for my other tank inhabitants

 

[Bucrob]

Yeah Banggais are peaceful little things, pretty cool as pairs too as they readily bready in captivity, cool seeing the male carry the eggs in its mouth also. The normal red firefish are around $30 in my area and purples are like $60 idk how much they are in your area though

 

[tbrown]

Now that you mention it, my LFS has had one for months in holding, from what Ive gathered its still healthy so might be worth looking into. Have you had any experience with aggression with them?

Mine isn't aggressive. I know several others on here that have multiples and singles with no aggression as well.

 

[CatsandClowns]

Yeah Banggais are peaceful little things, pretty cool as pairs too as they readily bready in captivity, cool seeing the male carry the eggs in its mouth also. The normal red firefish are around $30 in my area and purples are like $60 idk how much they are in your area though

$109 no joke.

 

[higher99]

$109 no joke.

My purple firefish are around $50, that’s insane! I ended up going with the Helifrichi instead which is even more, but I needed a mid water fish that really popped in my nano. I’d go for that if you don’t have an issue with budget. Another fish I highly recommend is a shrimp & goby pair. It’s endless possibilities with those and I personally have a YWG with a tiger pistol shrimp. Other popular duos are yasha goby with candy cane shrimps.

I’d also get a coris wrasse since they’re hyperactive, bright and also take up the midwater section. You got alot of options compared to my 25 lagoon.