Looking for suggestions

Nemoose · Oct 6, 2012

I will be setting up my new 80gallon (48x24x17) in the near future. I have a mated pair of maroon clowns going into it for sure. I will be setting it up primarily for SPS and LPS, and the clowns, but I want one more showpiece fish. I would like one that is fairly large and eye catching. I know the shallow tank will limit the size somewhat. Of course it must be reef safe and compatible with the clowns. Any ideas? Oh, the tank will be covered if necessary.

3Twinklets · Oct 6, 2012

That would depend a lot on your budget but a Flame wrasse is beautiful.

Reef@holic · Oct 6, 2012

Depends on your price range but there are a lot of nice wrasses available, and you can't beat tangs in a reef tank!

Nemoose · Oct 6, 2012

What would you think about a snowflake eel?

3Twinklets · Oct 7, 2012

I do not know anything about eels but I am pretty sure that if you have one, you pretty much cannot have anything else or it will be food for the eel!

jaa1456 · Oct 7, 2012

The eel will eat small fish and any shrimp in the tank, I wouldn't consider it a center piece as you will only see its head for the most part. And that is if it decided to face towards the front. You can go with a smaller tang, a pair of swallowtails would be nice or just one of them. Or a pair of flasher or fairy wrasse, like mention before.

Downbeach · Oct 7, 2012

Most Tang's are going to be too big for your tank, except the bristle tooth species, and I don't think they will be the eye catcher you're looking for:
Is it a Comb or a Bristle (Surgeonfish)? The Genus Ctenochaetus by Henry C. Schultz III - Reefkeeping.com

Dwarf Anglefish would be a possibility, but can be hit or miss as a "reef safe" fish:
The Pygmy Angelfishes by James Fatherree - Reefkeeping.com

As mentioned a Fairy Wrasse would be a good candidate:
The Fairy Wrasses: Cirrhilabrus spp. - Reefkeeping.com
but you will need a cover.

Nemoose · Oct 7, 2012

YA i may try a Flame Angel or some nice wrasses. I have a pygmy cherub angel and a melanarus wrasse in my fowlr so if te Flame doeen't work out i the reef I could switch them around.