Looking for ideas on fish and what order to add them

[Steve Berguetski]

Hi,
I have my tank ready for its first inhabitants. Question is, what should I add? The tank is bare bottom, so that will limit some choices. I am not a fan of clown fish because, let's face it, they are jerks. I will have a kole tang, but that will be one of the last additions. Any input as to what I might start with?

 

[HairyGary]

How big of tank?

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

Definitely need the size of the tank before we're able to make any suggestions.

 

[HairyGary]

It would also be helpful to know if reef or FOWLR.

 

[Steve Berguetski]

It is a 45g cube. This is going to be a reef tank for sure. Sorry!

 

[HairyGary]

Small fairy wrasse for sure. Maybe Pintail (C. isosceles) would be good centerpiece.

 

[Steve Berguetski]

Small fairy wrasse for sure. Maybe Pintail (C. isosceles) would be good centerpiece.

Are wrasses a good choice for first inhabitants with regard to aggression? I like that idea, I hadn't thought of a wrasse right off the bat.

 

[HairyGary]

Here's a great article. Gives you an idea on aggression. Most are very peaceful. I just love them because the tank is constantly moving. Small harem of smaller anthias would be nice as well.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/all-about-reef-safe-wrasses-in-aquaria.259894/

 

[Steve Berguetski]

Here's a great article. Gives you an idea on aggression. Most are very peaceful. I just love them because the tank is constantly moving. Small harem of smaller anthias would be nice as well.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/all-about-reef-safe-wrasses-in-aquaria.259894/

Thanks!

 

[HairyGary]

Thanks!

Yep. You just have to be careful as certain wrasse families are sand sleepers like Halichoeres or Macropharyngodon (Leopards). Flashers like a McCoskers or Royal would be great in that size tank too

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

Dartfish and/or assessors would be my choice.

 

[Steve Berguetski]

Dartfish and/or assessors would be my choice.

Wow, I have never heard of either of those.

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

Just saw the bare bottom, this will eliminate some dartfish such as blue gudgeon, but many don't need sand

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

No kole tang in a 45 gallon, they need lots of space. Smallest tank I would put one in would be like a 90 or something similar.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Just saw the bare bottom, this will eliminate some dartfish such as blue gudgeon, but many don't need sand

Dartfish don't need sand. This is written in various guides, but isn't true.

Wrasses and dartfish are big time jumpers, so a top is necessary.

Other possibilities include: flame or longnose hawk, starry blenny, grammistes blenny, neon goby, colony of barnacle blennies, royal gramma.

 

[HairyGary]

Assessors would be cool but they hide some.

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

My blue gudgeons are always digging in the sand. They don't sleep there so maybe they would be ok in a bare bottom.

Barnacle blennies ...Great suggestion they are awsome

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

+1 on Longnose Hawkfish!