Which is you're preference and why, small fish, medium/large fish or a mixture?
Personally I prefer small fish, having said that I do have 3 medium fish. By medium I mean fish about 4 to 5". Each of those 3 do a job as follows.
I have a copperband to keep Aptasia away.
I have a black leopard wrasse to keep coral pests at bay.
I have a mimic tand to keep any GHA at bay.
All the rest of my fish are 1 to 3". The 3" fish being 3" long and slim.
I like small fish for a number of reason
1/ most are found close to the reef not wondering far from their home or nearest bolt home.
2/ I can keep many more 1" fish than larger fish.
3/ 6 x 1" is less biological load than 1 x 6" fish.
4/ I can keep most small fish as found on the reef either in pairs or groups.
5/ I find most small.fish have great personalities and are much more interesting than single species.
6/ Most of my small.fish spawn in my aquarium.
7/ I believe keeping fish as they are found in nature much more beneficial for them.
Amongst my many small.fish I have a spawning pair of common clowns in their residential magnifica anemone just as they are found in nature which I believe is beneficial to them and reduces stress.
The above is just my preferences and philosophy to keeping my reef. Just trying to follow mother nature as much as is reasonably possible within the confines of my aquarium.
I don't have an issue with those who like to keep larger fish for whatever reason as long as they are given space and are well cared for of course. Each to.their own.
Personally I prefer small fish, having said that I do have 3 medium fish. By medium I mean fish about 4 to 5". Each of those 3 do a job as follows.
I have a copperband to keep Aptasia away.
I have a black leopard wrasse to keep coral pests at bay.
I have a mimic tand to keep any GHA at bay.
All the rest of my fish are 1 to 3". The 3" fish being 3" long and slim.
I like small fish for a number of reason
1/ most are found close to the reef not wondering far from their home or nearest bolt home.
2/ I can keep many more 1" fish than larger fish.
3/ 6 x 1" is less biological load than 1 x 6" fish.
4/ I can keep most small fish as found on the reef either in pairs or groups.
5/ I find most small.fish have great personalities and are much more interesting than single species.
6/ Most of my small.fish spawn in my aquarium.
7/ I believe keeping fish as they are found in nature much more beneficial for them.
Amongst my many small.fish I have a spawning pair of common clowns in their residential magnifica anemone just as they are found in nature which I believe is beneficial to them and reduces stress.
The above is just my preferences and philosophy to keeping my reef. Just trying to follow mother nature as much as is reasonably possible within the confines of my aquarium.
I don't have an issue with those who like to keep larger fish for whatever reason as long as they are given space and are well cared for of course. Each to.their own.
