Fishy Ideas

So I was thinking and doing some research on some new friends to add to the tank once I find a home for the guys that are to big. My tank is a 55g Fowlr so I was thinking about getting 2 fire darts, 2 false percs, I was thinking of a blenny and possibly a mandarin dragonet, a dwarf angel of some sort, or possibly a pair of orchid dottyback. I know this is going to be to many but just some ideas. What would work best together? I know I am going to have to add them in slowly over time.

 

The firefish will work with the clowns, a blenny works as well but the tank should be a little older with some algae and pod growth, for the blenny.

Dwarf angels are nice, but if you want corals down the line or clams they can be a problem. For dwarfs I like the Coral Beauty and Potters they have the best personality IMO.

Royal Grammas are a nice peaceful fish.
Cardinals are peaceful and cool.
Yellow watchman gobies are colorful and good personalities.

 

Thanks Corailline so I should start out with the Clowns and Firefish and as the tank matures add the blenny. I read the the orchid dotty backs were aggressive but wasn't sure how they did if they were already paired. As for the angel I eventually want to start adding corals as the tank matures, so do you recommend staying away from them?

 

Problem with angel is it is hit and miss. The Coral Beauty and the Potters have been the only angels that I have had that existed for a number of years without nipping at corals and clams, not to say that others have had the opposite experience with them.
I had a Cherub that went 2 years and then started his nipping and when re-homed in a fish only tank he turned into a bully.
Look at some of the smaller reef safe wrasses as well. I love the fairy and flasher wrasses.

 

Ok so with the angels it dependent on the individual itself. I will def take a look into some of the wrasses I have briefly looked over them but will def give them a second look!

 

another cool fish is a sixline wrasse. a good website to go check out and browse is liveaquaria.com they have a pic of the fish and description and what it needs and does. they have a good amount of fish to look at and is a great place for browsing around

 

Thanks you guys and the number of fish I want to put in there will that be to big of bio load on the tank or should I be fine? What is the recommended amount for a 55?

 

Because they are individual, I'd only buy a dwarf once you have the corals and at a local pet store so it's easy to return and you know right away if it will be a problem.

Depends on how much established rock you have and how a sump/fuge is setup and how big that is, if you have one. That will give people a better judge on it.

 

For a 55 gallon, I wouldn't get a Mandarin Goby. No matter how many copepods you may have in the tank, they will always run out in due time. All mandarins will do is eat. If you're really intent on purchasing a mandarin, I would set up a sump/refugium and start a population of copepods in that. They can live in it and reproduce without being eaten, and some may be blown up into the main tank. I'm not sure if it'll keep the Mandarin happy, but it should increase his lifespan.

 

orchid dottybacks a sweet to watch. i have 2 in my tank. you just have to be sure to get tank raised juveniles and put them in at the same time. they sex change, and you will end up with a pair most likely, mine are so busy with each other they dont bother any other fish in my tank. good thing also that they will never out grow your tank

the tank i sold a few years back i also had a pair of orchid dottybacks in. they always seemed to have a bubble nest. a friend also had a pair. so this is 3 times i know it worked and they do pair up. again i want to stress...just be sure to get tank raised juveniles