Stocking list.

[frankin09]

I have a 40g breeder. I have 2 clowns, and small flame angel. Will upgrade later on. I want some fish that are active and swim around and have good color. My clowns hosted my heater, so they don’t come out till feeding time. Any suggestions that are reef safe?

 

[blaxsun]

Basslets, dottybacks, wrasses (if you have a sand bed), anthias - they all have a wide range of colors and are fairly active.

 

[littlefoxx]

I have a 40g breeder. I have 2 clowns, and small flame angel. Will upgrade later on. I want some fish that are active and swim around and have good color. My clowns hosted my heater, so they don’t come out till feeding time. Any suggestions that are reef safe?

Chromis or damsels are very active, the chromis do best in a school (Ive got one of 3 right now). Anthias are way too big for the 40, they live in harems (mine is one male 4 females) which they need to be happy. Dottybacks are small and co but they can be mean! Ive got one, shes well behaved but shes the smallest fish in that tank. If you get one I would go for cultivated reef, they are aquacultured and seem to have more mild manners. I have an orchid!

 

[frankin09]

Basslets, dottybacks, wrasses (if you have a sand bed), anthias - they all have a wide range of colors and are fairly active.

Anthias are really nice but I read that they need a bigger tank.

 

[paragrouper]

The flasher wrasses would be good to investigate. They are in the genus Paracheilinus and most stay of a size appropriate for your aquarium. They are jumpers though, so you will need a lid

picture of my McCosker’s for reference.

 

[blaxsun]

Anthias are really nice but I read that they need a bigger tank.

They need a lid, and they need to be fed more often (small, frequent feedings).

 

[frankin09]

Chromis or damsels are very active, the chromis do best in a school (Ive got one of 3 right now). Anthias are way too big for the 40, they live in harems (mine is one male 4 females) which they need to be happy. Dottybacks are small and co but they can be mean! Ive got one, shes well behaved but shes the smallest fish in that tank. If you get one I would go for cultivated reef, they are aquacultured and seem to have more mild manners. I have an orchid!

Any experience on wrasses?

 

[frankin09]

Chromis or damsels are very active, the chromis do best in a school (Ive got one of 3 right now). Anthias are way too big for the 40, they live in harems (mine is one male 4 females) which they need to be happy. Dottybacks are small and co but they can be mean! Ive got one, shes well behaved but shes the smallest fish in that tank. If you get one I would go for cultivated reef, they are aquacultured and seem to have more mild manners. I have an orchid!

How many chromis max could I add?

 

[blaxsun]

Chromis or damsels are very active, the chromis do best in a school (Ive got one of 3 right now). Anthias are way too big for the 40, they live in harems (mine is one male 4 females) which they need to be happy. Dottybacks are small and co but they can be mean! Ive got one, shes well behaved but shes the smallest fish in that tank. If you get one I would go for cultivated reef, they are aquacultured and seem to have more mild manners. I have an orchid!

I have several chromis quite a bit larger than my anthias, so size can really depend on the species. Like anthias, chromis also need to be fed small amounts often (multiple feedings per day). I have 12 in my tank, and contrary to popular belief - they are not cannibalistic (you can maintain a good 'swarm' with the right feeding and reef environment).

 

[frankin09]

I have several chromis quite a bit larger than my anthias, so size can really depend on the species.

What species of anthias would be good for the 40g for now.

 

[blaxsun]

What species of anthias would be good for the 40g for now.

If you went with anthias, I probably wouldn't get more than 1-2. Lyretail anthias seem to be one of the smaller species.

 

[littlefoxx]

How many chromis max could I add?

Ive got 3 in my 70 plus a different colored one that doesnt school with the other 3

 

[littlefoxx]

If you went with anthias, I probably wouldn't get more than 1-2. Lyretail anthias seem to be one of the smaller species.

They are actually pretty big! Males get to be like 6 inches and females like 4 or 5 each. One of the bigger anthias for sure!

 

[frankin09]

They are actually pretty big! Males get to be like 6 inches and females like 4 or 5 each. One of the bigger anthias for sure!

Good know, I will skip for now, maybe chromis.

 

[blaxsun]

They are actually pretty big! Males get to be like 6 inches and females like 4 or 5 each. One of the bigger anthias for sure!

I guess mine are underperforming, then (my male is <4" and the female <3", and I've had them for well over a year now).

 

[littlefoxx]

I have several chromis quite a bit larger than my anthias, so size can really depend on the species. Like anthias, chromis also need to be fed small amounts often (multiple feedings per day). I have 12 in my tank, and contrary to popular belief - they are not cannibalistic (you can maintain a good 'swarm' with the right feeding and reef environment).

I agree 100% my three green chromis came together and they are very happy jsut the 3 of them. Cant separate them ever

 

[blaxsun]

Good know, I will skip for now, maybe chromis.

My green chromis are actually bigger than any of my anthias - just FYI.

 

[littlefoxx]

I guess mine are underperforming, then (my male is <4" and the female <3", and I've had them for well over a year now).

Uh weird. My male is about 4 inches and he has grown since I got him. The females are smaller!

 

[littlefoxx]

My green chromis are actually bigger than any of my anthias - just FYI.

Yeah Ive seen adult chromis and they are pretty big!!! Mine have grown a little over the last 8 months I have them!

 

[blaxsun]

Yeah Ive seen adult chromis and they are pretty big!!! Mine have grown a little over the last 8 months I have them!

If you want some "interesting" chromis - try some black/yellow lyretail chromis. They behave completely different and will actually inhabit rock caves (I have 3 that live in barnacles).