Looking to add a fish or two, 40G

[pvreef]

Hi guys. My tank is a 40G IM tank and has been running for 10 years. Looking to liven things up by adding a fish or two, if possible.

Current fish: 2 Ocellaris Clowns (approx 2-3"), 1 Diamond Goby
Corals: All softies like Kenya tree, gsp, mushrooms, zoas, etc
Other: Hermit crabs, 1x emerald grab, assorted snails

Looking for something that is more active in the water to bring some movement and activity to the tank. It also needs to be able to handle itself against a couple of established clownfish. The clowns aren't overly aggressive. They don't bite me when I have my hands in the tank, nor do they bother the diamond goby. I'm also only working with 40G so maybe I shouldn't be adding anything?

Anybody have any advice or suggestions? Thanks!

 

[TX_REEF]

if it were me, I'd add a sixline wrasse. You could also add a single colorful damsel. either of those are good looking and can handle themselves.

 

[pvreef]

if it were me, I'd add a sixline wrasse. You could also add a single colorful damsel. either of those are good looking and can handle themselves.

Thanks for the suggestion. Just looked around a bit and I do like the look of some damsels. It looks like they do better in groups... do you think it would be a bad idea to get just 1? On the other hand, do you think I could fit more than 1 in my tank with my current load?

 

[Uncle99]

A copperband?
Great picker of the rockwork, colouful, and out all day (and apparently night as well)
A skilled hunter.

 

[pvreef]

A copperband?
Great picker of the rockwork, colouful, and out all day (and apparently night as well)
A skilled hunter.

I always thought I'd need a much bigger tank for anything like this. I've read they need 75G-100G+?

 

[Uncle99]

I always thought I'd need a much bigger tank for anything like this. I've read they need 75G-100G+?

Yup, 75g-100g is what the experts say.
I dont always follow that.
Mine does good in a 50 with two tangs 2 clowns, 2 Hawkfish and a royal gramma.
Your two clowns don’t stray much so it would have 80% of the area.
Just a thought.

 

[pvreef]

Yup, 75g-100g is what the experts say.
I dont always follow that.
Mine does good in a 50 with two tangs.
Your two clowns don’t stray much so it would have 80% of the area.
Just thought.

thanks, definitely some food for thought

 

[BryanM]

2nd vote for a six line, I love mine... I wish he'd get bigger :)

I also like my lawnmower blenny. She's fat now like a sausage.

 

[pvreef]

2nd vote for a six line, I love mine... I wish he'd get bigger :)

I also like my lawnmower blenny. She's fat now like a sausage.

You think i could add both a six like and a blenny to my load?

Do you target feed your blenny? Or does it just live off algae?

 

[BryanM]

You think i could add both a six like and a blenny to my load?

Do you target feed your blenny? Or does it just live off algae?

I dont target feed her, but she often gets flakes when flakes are fed.

She grazes all dang day.

 

[pvreef]

I dont target feed her, but she often gets flakes when flakes are fed.

She grazes all dang day.

Since my tank is smaller I worry that something like a lawnmower blenny would starve but if they eat flake (and other foods) easily then that's way less of a concern.

 

[littlefoxx]

Since my tank is smaller I worry that something like a lawnmower blenny would starve but if they eat flake (and other foods) easily then that's way less of a concern.

Nah, I had one in a 32 buocube. I always put nori in for it and it was a fatty! Sat on the nori clip and ate all day

 

[Gumbies R Us]

My only concern about a blenny is that sometimes gobies and blennies can be territorial towards each other, but other times they live in harmony. All that to say, a blenny would be a good recommendation for your tank!

 

[pvreef]

My only concern about a blenny is that sometimes gobies and blennies can be territorial towards each other, but other times they live in harmony. All that to say, a blenny would be a good recommendation for your tank!

Probably a dumb question but I've never had a lawnmower blenny... are they pretty active and fun to watch? Or do they stay pretty hidden most of the time?

 

[DEE’S reef]

What your rock scape look like maybe you could add a cool looking hawkfish that’s what I’m considering adding to my 80 gallon

 

[DEE’S reef]

What I know about lawnmower blennies are they are algae eating fish but that’s really all I know

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Probably a dumb question but I've never had a lawnmower blenny... are they pretty active and fun to watch? Or do they stay pretty hidden most of the time?

More active than a goby. They usually will perch on various things in your tank, and sometimes swim around. However, they are very useful for munching on algae in your tank. Great utilitarian fish

 

[Oldsman]

Ours was nearly impossible to see, blended in w rockwork..and ate all day. Wish I'd gone w a starry blenny instead imo

 

[Mebbid]

I much prefer the starry blenny to the lawnmower, they are darker and have a lot more contrast to see. Not a big fan of a six line tho, lots of people have problems with them becoming bullies.

Have you looked at a midas blenny?

 

[christinna77]

My starry killed my DG in less than a day, and it was added after the DG. It really hated its guts. Just watch your DG carefully if you decide on a blenny.