I've been binge watching reef documentaries for the last 2 weeks and I've become obsessed with achieving a more ''realistic'' look. Realistic as in what the documentaries show us. I'm sure that's not always what it looks like, but I do like the look. I've actually decided to sell all my larger fish and fish that will eventually outgrow the tank. They'll all be going to a larger tank. What I'll have left is a pink bar goby w/ pistol shrimp and a tailspot blenny. I'd love some harems and pairs. Maybe one solo fish. I'm not worried about nutrients.
For my eyecatcher I'd love a harem of dispar Anthias. 1 male with 3 or 4 females. From what I've been told they're a little smaller than lyretails and overall more friendly. I've seen them in a few different tanks and I feel like these could be a suitable option. That's about the only thing I'm really sure of. I love wrasses, but they're not something I'm looking for with this stocking. Open water swimmers like fairies and flashers take away from the Anthias imo. A radiant or some type of leopard wrasse could be on the nomination list for a solo fish, but... A dwarf angel would be a lovely solo fish too, although it's a risk. I've also found them (coral beauties at least...) to be fairly territorial. Perhaps a cherub angel is a good option? I still have a few fleshy lps corals left (an acan and 2 blastos) and some euphyllia. Otherwise I have mostly softies. On the other hand, a Halichoeres wrasse is great for pest control...
Some other fish that have crossed my mind (not all of them together of course);
- Royal gramma > 3 or 4? I've kept a solo gramma before and it didn't excite me at all. They are more fun in groups according to some though. Main concern with this one is that they'll get quite bulky. Perhaps something similar (as in: bright colors and friendliness towards other fish), but smaller?
- Clown/coral goby > a pair. I don't have sps in the tank, except for some monti caps, so not worried about them eating polyps. Adds a nice splash of yellow and they won't be so in your face like most fish.
- Possum wrasse > 2. Not hugely attracted to them though. Have never seen them in person though...
- Allen's damsel > 4? Seen these in person and they look really cool. According to some they're more peaceful than the usual damsels. However... They're damsels. I do think these would look great with the Anthias though!
- Azure damsel > 4? I currently have one and color wise, I love it. Initially I bought 2 of them and they never argued. However, it does have a small territory and I'm thinking 4 will be way too much if I want any sort of peace in the tank. If a group of these isn't an option, the one I still have will go to a new home as well.
- Green banded goby or shark nose goby > 5 or so? From what I've read they don't do well in pairs, but a group might be able to work.
- Fire fish goby > a pair. From what I've read they're shy and maybe a bit boring. I love the look of them and I can't help myself but look at them for half an hour whenever my LFS has a pair.
The ones that excite me the most from above list are the allen's damsel, the green banded/ shark nose goby and surprisingly the royal gramma. I just love the look of damsels and Anthias together. The gobies would be a great addition due to their size and color. Pretty colors, but tiny, so you'll have to look for them. The grammas add a great amount of color and perhaps I could get some breeding action going. In some way they remind me of freshwater cichlids and I loved those back in the day.
The tank's just short of 4' in length. 2' wide and 20'' tall. I have a very open scape with tons of hiding places and little swim throughs. Again nutrients aren't a concern. I only have to worry about available territories.
I'd love to get some ideas and opinions.
For my eyecatcher I'd love a harem of dispar Anthias. 1 male with 3 or 4 females. From what I've been told they're a little smaller than lyretails and overall more friendly. I've seen them in a few different tanks and I feel like these could be a suitable option. That's about the only thing I'm really sure of. I love wrasses, but they're not something I'm looking for with this stocking. Open water swimmers like fairies and flashers take away from the Anthias imo. A radiant or some type of leopard wrasse could be on the nomination list for a solo fish, but... A dwarf angel would be a lovely solo fish too, although it's a risk. I've also found them (coral beauties at least...) to be fairly territorial. Perhaps a cherub angel is a good option? I still have a few fleshy lps corals left (an acan and 2 blastos) and some euphyllia. Otherwise I have mostly softies. On the other hand, a Halichoeres wrasse is great for pest control...
Some other fish that have crossed my mind (not all of them together of course);
- Royal gramma > 3 or 4? I've kept a solo gramma before and it didn't excite me at all. They are more fun in groups according to some though. Main concern with this one is that they'll get quite bulky. Perhaps something similar (as in: bright colors and friendliness towards other fish), but smaller?
- Clown/coral goby > a pair. I don't have sps in the tank, except for some monti caps, so not worried about them eating polyps. Adds a nice splash of yellow and they won't be so in your face like most fish.
- Possum wrasse > 2. Not hugely attracted to them though. Have never seen them in person though...
- Allen's damsel > 4? Seen these in person and they look really cool. According to some they're more peaceful than the usual damsels. However... They're damsels. I do think these would look great with the Anthias though!
- Azure damsel > 4? I currently have one and color wise, I love it. Initially I bought 2 of them and they never argued. However, it does have a small territory and I'm thinking 4 will be way too much if I want any sort of peace in the tank. If a group of these isn't an option, the one I still have will go to a new home as well.
- Green banded goby or shark nose goby > 5 or so? From what I've read they don't do well in pairs, but a group might be able to work.
- Fire fish goby > a pair. From what I've read they're shy and maybe a bit boring. I love the look of them and I can't help myself but look at them for half an hour whenever my LFS has a pair.
The ones that excite me the most from above list are the allen's damsel, the green banded/ shark nose goby and surprisingly the royal gramma. I just love the look of damsels and Anthias together. The gobies would be a great addition due to their size and color. Pretty colors, but tiny, so you'll have to look for them. The grammas add a great amount of color and perhaps I could get some breeding action going. In some way they remind me of freshwater cichlids and I loved those back in the day.
The tank's just short of 4' in length. 2' wide and 20'' tall. I have a very open scape with tons of hiding places and little swim throughs. Again nutrients aren't a concern. I only have to worry about available territories.
I'd love to get some ideas and opinions.