Something other than clownfish

[Redbird5]

I like clownfish and my likes them as well. They're cute, fun to watch but they are jerks. Is there anything else that fits the cute clownfish spot for aquariums?

 

[BryanM]

Blennys are cute with big personalities IMO.

What size tank are we working with here?

 

[Redbird5]

45. Yes, a blenny is on my list of fish to get. I'd like a toby puffer but I have shrimp and coral so it's a no go.

 

[Narideth]

A tank pic (we don't know if there's sand, how much rockwork etc), other current inhabitants, and future possible inhabitants are all useful info to slot in a new fun alternative-clown critter.

 

[Redbird5]

A tank pic (we don't know if there's sand, how much rockwork etc), other current inhabitants, and future possible inhabitants are all useful info to slot in a new fun alternative-clown critter.

At the moment I have skunk cleaner shrimp, peppermint shrimp and snails and coral and 2 rock flower nem. The tank is fallow at the moment because I had velvet in the aquarium.

 

[BryanM]

I love my dwarf red angel, but this is a reef safe with caution fish.

 

[JTP424]

I like Royal Grammas!!!

 

[Redbird5]

I love my dwarf red angel, but this is a reef safe with caution fish.

That's on the list of fish I want. They're beautiful. I think if I feed them angel food with sponge they should leave my nems alone. It worked for a while before I lost my lemon peel angelfish.

 

[Redbird5]

I like Royal Grammas!!!

Also on my list. I can only have one though.

 

[dinosaur_1552]

Liopropoma basslets?

 

[MC Blowfish]

I second a blenny. I have a Bicolor Blenny who is very active and personable.

Yellow-head or Pearly Jawfish are fun as well. Once they get comfortable, you'll see them keeping an eye on their surroundings.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I like clownfish and my likes them as well. They're cute, fun to watch but they are jerks. Is there anything else that fits the cute clownfish spot for aquariums?

neon goby
firefish goby
anthias
starry blenny

 

[Redbird5]

Liopropoma basslets?

They're out of the budget. I want to keep the budget less than $100 per fish. They're beautiful though.

 

[dinosaur_1552]

They're out of the budget. I want to keep the budget less than $100 per fish. They're beautiful though.

Swalesi is around 80

 

[cet98]

Rainsford or Hector goby
Catalina goby
Clown goby

All are very reasonably priced too.
The only caveat is the possibility of a jumper so you should consider a lid if you don’t already have one

 

[keithw283]

Any fairy wrasse would work. In a tank on the smaller side, I'd only get one though.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

I like clownfish and my likes them as well. They're cute, fun to watch but they are jerks. Is there anything else that fits the cute clownfish spot for aquariums?

I second the clown goby. I have a Yellow, and he has become a favorite of mine. For a 1-1/2 inch fish, he can certainly hold his own with the larger residents at feeding time and for tank space anytime. He was bullied for about a day, then he said, "Enough of this." He turned on the aggressor (at least twice his size) and now they peacefully coexist. Very personable. He uses my toadstool leather like a clown would use an anemone, but he's not a codependent. He has other options and uses them. He's a bright yellow and stays visible, so he commands visual attention more than any of my other fish. He definately punches above his weight!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I'll vote for blenny! or maybe a firefish

 

[Redbird5]

I'll vote for blenny! or maybe a firefish

Firefish are on my list. I wish that I could figure out if I could have more than one in the aquarium. I've seen it done, but I'm concerned that they'd fight.

 

[JTP424]

It sounds like you're specifically looking for schooling fish?