Terrible three's!!

So I've been contemplating a third fish in my 29g...I've been tossing around what kind of fish would work best. I'll list each fish and my reasoning for it. My current inhabitants are: a percula clownfish (about 2") and a purple firefish (also about 2"-2.5"). I say terrible three's because whenever I try keeping a third fish, some how it ends up passing. I used to have a yellow tang (bad mistake, I was new then), a six-line wrasse (he jumped) and a lawnmower blenny that disappeared. All of them were the third fish in my line-up. The clown and the firefish have always been around (knock on wood). I'm looking for something that's challenging as well. Now, here is my list! In no particular order.

Dwarf flame angel: From what I hear their max length gets to about 4". I believe it would do fairly decent. Many sites I have read say they have proven to live nicely in tanks my size. The only set back would be the slight possibility of it nipping at corals. I love the coloration too.

Bluestar leopard wrasse: This is a beautiful fish...and I absolutely love wrasses. I would love to have this fish. I have heard mixed opinions on this one though. Some sites say no smaller than 30g and some say no smaller than 50g. It is a challenging fish from what I hear. It's diet is pretty complex but I have a fairly decent population of pods and I could also dose live pods as well to replenish them if need be. I would love the challenge though...It's such a wonderful looking fish.

(If all else fails fish) Yellow clown goby: I also love the coloration on this fish...it seems like a pretty awesome fish. Obviously does well in small tanks. The only thing I can think of as a negative is it's smallness. A pretty cool but plain fish compared to others.

Another things also, what are your opinions on buying fish online? My LFS always has a decent selection of fish and there's always the option of having them order fish in. Just wanted your thoughts!

Thanks!!

 

bump

 

Why not try a coral beauty they are cheaper and hardier then flames IMO. I just added 3 green chromis to my 38 and they are alot of fun and cheap.

 

I don't like dwarf angels in reefs, I'm too paranoid about them starting nipping.

A small wrasse would be nice, with the leopard though you are risking a self-fulfilling prophecy with your terrible three theory because of its difficulty.

What about a flasher/fairy wrasse? Or a watchman goby/pistol shrimp pair? If you have a good sized sand bed how about a jawfish?

I've never bought online but if you go through a reputable retailer like liveaquaria or something and you handle the fish properly after you get them I would feel comfortable ordering myself.

 

hmm... have you looked into making your tank unjumpable? and then getting another 6-line?

I don't like the egg crate roofs, so I built an egg crate wall that goes around the tank that has worked wonderfully for me (it was actually my DIY video contest submission).

That's what I would do. Or get a buddy for that clown...

 

Thanks everyone for the replies!! I have thought about making my tank unjumpable...I should look into that. I must do more thinking and make a decision...I'll post pics once I decide on something. I want to prove my terrible three theory wrong!

 

I personally would get another clown. When I started out my clown was very odd acting, few weeks later I got another clown figuring he needed a buddy. nipping and chasing happened the 1st day, but now they are still with me in my larger tank and they never are apart.

:S Im so afraid they are gonna start spawning in the future. As cool as it would be to have baby clowns. I wanna pass on that situation lol.

But making the tank unjumpable would be a good start.

 

Don't quote me on this but, I think you have to separate the parents from the eggs or they eat them so you should be ok lol

 

Pretty much true, that and Im sure my purple tang would eat them as well with other fish in the aquarium. From what I've read you do have to for a higher success rate.