Lost Fish = Opportunity for new Fish

[shornik]

I recently had my 2 chalk bass die, one was found as crab food about a week ago and my last one jumped out of the tank sometime yesterday and was found on top of my tank cover, it had to jump through a pretty narrow opening in the back for this to happen. I didn't have them for quite a year and it certainly upsets me when these things happen, especially because I'm not 100% why it happened. I have my suspicions, they were pretty passive since I placed them in my tank and they were the last fish to go in. I have a canary wrasse and leopard wrasse which pretty much left them alone, a dottyback and two ocellaris that also left them alone (thought clowns are now spawning and can be quite rude at times but I never saw them bother the chalk bass), and a starry blenny. None of these fish bothered the bass, but I have two Bartlett's Anthia's and the male is a real pain the &^^%$&%$^* who would chase these two poor fish all the time. I'm assuming that is what did them both in.

Anyway (sorry for the long winded post) I'd like to add a fish (or two) to replace these as my tank looks a bit barren, especially at night when my two wrasses bury in the sand for the night. But I know I need something that will not shy away from the Anthias. I was leaning towards a dwarf angel - the last two issues of Coral Magazine has done a nice write up on them and suggested a few that were "reef safe" so was wondering what you all thought about that possibility. I'd also love to try a butterfly but think the tank size might not be a good fit (plus the reef safe thing of course). I'm guessing I could always go for some other wrasses but I'm open to everyone's suggestions.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Meldrath]

I have an African flameback myself and it's absolutely gorgeous and gets along with my coral beauty. Only the coral beauty seems to ever and RARELY nip at a coral (and I'm not sure it's the coral as much as what's on the plug). Great fish, easy to care for, and get along with all my other inhabitants.

 

[shornik]

Thanks @Meldrath I've seen the coral beauty's quite a lot and the african flameback looks close to a Cherub Angle I've always wanted. Tanks for the feedback.

 

[Meldrath]

As always keep in mind, for every fish there's an exception to the rules regarding temperament and personality.

 

[shornik]

Hmm what about a small school (3) of Chromis?

 

[eatbreakfast]

Some have experienced green chromis killing each other off, but I have kept groups of them together without that occurring.

Some Centropyge angels are "safer" than others with coral, but any dwarf angel can nip or develop that tendency.