Help me figure out my next fish please

[daikaijureefer]

Biocube 32 SPS dominant currently stocked with three fish:

African Flameback angel, sixline wrasse, and a yellow watchman goby (paired with a candy cane pistol).

There’s a cleaner shrimp, two emerald crabs, multiple scarlet and blue hermits and various snails.

My tank mates all get along in their current status and the fish are very healthy.

I’m looking for suggestions on what I could add fish-wise. There’s plenty of rock work and hiding spaces.

I know the sixline could be an issue, but this one has been a model citizen so far. Oddly enough, the flameback angel and sixline seem to have a bond and follow each other around all day harmoniously.

Obviously I don’t want to upset the balance. I’d rather not add fish than add something that could be detrimental. That said, what could I add?


Here’s a shot of the tank.

I have some ideas, but I’m looking forward to suggestions from the community first.

Thanks!

 

[Tahoe61]

That Flameback is going to pack a punch on any new arrivals, be prepared with an acclimation box.
You want a fish with a strong personality like a Royal Gramma (any dotty back really), Flame Hawk Fish, a lone Clown. Perhaps a Yellow Blenny.
The Dwarf Angel is beautiful. Good luck.

 

[Zach136378]

It really depends on what you want for your tank
But because you already have a dwarf angel and a wrasse I would get one that’s more laid back like a hawkfish or jaw fish

 

[JumboShrimp]

Chalk Bass (or 3)? Possum Wrasse? The Dwarf Angel, as you know, makes any new addition a calculated risk.

 

[exnisstech]

Chalk Bass (or 3)? Possum Wrasse? The Dwarf Angel, as you know, makes any new addition a calculated risk.

I vote no on the possum wrasse with the sixline already in. I recently had to remove a yellow banded possum because my sixline decided a 7ft 330g tank wasn't big enough for them both. They were fine for over a year then one day the sixline would not allow the possum into the rocks to hunt and chased it into a corner whenever it came near.

OP with the dwarf Angel and sixline I would be tempted to wait a while and see how things go. I'm finding out from personal experience that things can be great for a year or longer then go south quickly as fish mature.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Good catch on the Sixline.

 

[exnisstech]

Good catch on the Sixline.

I love them for pest control and currently have 3 in separate tanks.
I haven't been in the hobby as long as many but long enough now that I have fish that I've had for several years and am seeing a lot of behaviour changes as fish mature. Some good some not so good. Kinda like kids I suppose lol.

 

[daikaijureefer]

I'd be worried the hawkfish might go after a shrimp.

My flameback is pretty laid back. She postures sometimes with the YWG but it's usually the watchman that starts it and she will just be like "I'm bigger than you" and move on. haha.

I had planned on an acclimation box.

A jawfish could be cool... how about another goby?

would a dottyback or gramma try to eat my shrimp?

 

[Tahoe61]

I'd be worried the hawkfish might go after a shrimp.

My flameback is pretty laid back. She postures sometimes with the YWG but it's usually the watchman that starts it and she will just be like "I'm bigger than you" and move on. haha.

I had planned on an acclimation box.

A jawfish could be cool... how about another goby?

would a dottyback or gramma try to eat my shrimp?

I have never had a Dotty Back, Royal Gramma bother shrimp.
Hawk Fish I wouldn't trust with shrimp.

 

[daikaijureefer]

the orchid dottyback seems like a good option. I really like their color.

 

[daikaijureefer]

What about a golden head sleeper goby?

 

[Nordy]

Pyramidal Pygmy Hawkfish are a cool addition. If you have some cover, overhangs and perching spots, I think they are rewarding to keep. I would say you are wise to question the current dynamics and factoring how the squatters may react to a new member. I have 3 larger fish( Tang, Rabbit, and CB, and a young Double Saddled Butterflyfish that is quite aggressive at feedings, and going to double in size. My 14 other fish are on the smaller side, the smallest being a neon goby in my Red Sea Reef. I always used to have this dreamt up goal of stopping at 21 ideal fish. I’ve been at 20 for a few months, but it must be pushing the limits. No observed aggression or disruptions, but something just happens and a fish disappears. Added a Royal Pencil Wrasse a month ago, the next day my cleaner wrasse went missing. Conspecific conflict?? The tilefish I lost just before the cleaner Wrasse went missing jumped when I walked out of the room. I never once saw another fish hassle it, yet something caused it to jump. The only thing that frightened the tile was me scraping the glass clean, and it would take cover in the Jawfishes burrow with the Jawfish
I’ve come to terms not having every fish I desire. I desire the ones I have now and that balance that is current at 18 is the limit. It’s quite the stocking list in my reef, plenty of aggressive fish. My Flame Angel was the second fish I added, it doesn’t seem to show any aggression. Lots of aqua scape, pods, and 4 feedings a day must keep it content. I would say the reefer can make it work by creating some habitat that properly suits what you want to add. Agree on a six line going Mr. Hyde/ Dr. Jeckyl in a 330 gallon with plenty of room to spare. I love six lines, throw caution to the wind with them. I would say my most aggressive fish are the clowns.

 

[Nordy]

OP, loved your tank pic btw, think it would stir up the detritus a lot if I added an African Flameback Pygmy Angel to my reef?? I can’t sleep, maybe I’ll see if any are available online, could test that out by Friday

 

[Nordy]

Last thing I’ll add, Op mentioned the six line pals around with the Flameback. Interesting.. My Flame Angel picked at the rock work in tandem with a Divided Leopard Wrasse I had. Those two were always together and a treat to watch. Love it when different fish have an unusual bond. I saw it with a Blenny I had and my neon goby. The Blenny would lay on some rock curled up and the neon goby would rest on the Blenny or next to it. I saw that 5-6 times, and every time I’d change the lighting to try and get that captured on my camera phone, well shoot. (The Blenny was mostly black, a Tribal Blenny and almost impossible to see).

 

[daikaijureefer]

That Flameback is going to pack a punch on any new arrivals, be prepared with an acclimation box.
You want a fish with a strong personality like a Royal Gramma (any dotty back really), Flame Hawk Fish, a lone Clown. Perhaps a Yellow Blenny.
The Dwarf Angel is beautiful. Good luck.

I just saw an “ORA Naked Ocellaris Clownfish” that I kinda love…


For those following, would a single clown be an ok addition? I know they typically like anemones, soft corals or lps tanks.

Since my tank is currently all sps, would I need to add a soft/lps type coral (nems aren’t an option) for it to feel comfortable?

 

[Nordy]

A lot of captive bred are not going to gravitate towards an anemone host. You can strategize on methods to catalyze that symbiosis. My thought is a naked ocellaris clown would do well in your system. It would probably take a small section of your tank and that would be his perhaps after a squabble. The LPS corals might be inviting to it, more flora and fauna, with many natural elements to boost there ecosystem is a plus. Ocsellaris are less aggressive in many cases, a maroon is a looking for a https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/...n8wy9NAOIvcgyl97aa5nF-Zmkj5XGZ1db0ipMhlg&s=10

 

[Nordy]

Look into a blackcap basslet. I had one for 3 months. Not sure what caused its disappearance, however, one cool fish, might be a option.