What fish to add?

[thbrewst]

Not sure how, but I apparently love Tangs, because I basically have a Tang tank (short of my Maroon Clown pair). I have a Sailfin, Purple, Brown Powder, and a Yellow. So, I've been taking a lot of 'heat' from my wife and kids that most of my fish are 'the same'.

So, what are some other fish that folks like that are reef safe?

The only fish that I have always wanted (that may never get) is a juvenile Emperor Angel, but I'm concerned he would eat my coral when he gets bigger.

Oh yeah, this is for a 175 gal bowfront, w/live rock, various coral frags, ~10" anemone.

 

[jef4y]

I have no idea of compatibility with anything, but I really dig Triggers. I saw a guy with a Sargassum Trigger that was absolutely stunning...

 

[crewdawg1981]

I had a juvi emperor angel for a while... pretty cool lookin, but ya cant keep em once they start changing.

 

[gixxer600]

Pink tail trigger or blue throat trigger. OR some anthias or wrasses.

 

[thbrewst]

I *assumed* all Triggers were not reef safe. Is that not true?

 

[jmaneyapanda]

Crewdawg1981;580359 wrote: I had a juvi emperor angel for a while... pretty cool lookin, but ya cant keep em once they start changing.

Sure you can. I have done it, and am doing it currently.

thbrewst;580362 wrote: I *assumed* all Triggers were not reef safe. Is that not true?

Not true. triggers of the genus Xanthichtys are considered "safe", as well as some from the genus Melichthys, like the pinktail or durgeon, and some have success with Odonus niger triggers.

I guess it all depends on the definition of "reef safe".

 

[tehawesome]

A trio of anthias. Tiger queen are my favorite, and they don't get but 4 inches. Or you could go with the square back.

 

[stacy22]

Fairy or flasher wrasses would be my choice. I also am a fan of various dartfish.

 

[rolo65]

thbrewst;580362 wrote: I *assumed* all Triggers were not reef safe. Is that not true?

Not completely....bluejaw triggers and crosshatch triggers are 99% going to have little to no issues in a reef tank...triggers in the Xanthichthys genus will be reef safe...maybe eventually take out a shrimp but rarely....this genus has the characteristic of a more rounded jaw rather than the pointed of most other triggers(huma, queen, Titan, and etc)...I have a beautiful little blue jaw I just got from Rit myself....They are more likely than not to eat from the water column rather than pick at the rock and substrate(sargassum triggers are also in this genus)

 

[rolo65]

Jeremy apparently types faster than myself.....danggit!!!

 

[thbrewst]

What is a good site (or sites) that list the various types of species and their details? To date I have eitehr used Live Aquaria or this place

 

[thbrewst]

jmaneyapanda;580365 wrote: Sure you can. I have done it, and am doing it currently.

You are currently keeping an Emperor Angel in a reef tank? What has your experience been? How large is the fish? tank? How does he get along with his tankmates? coral?

 

[jmaneyapanda]

thbrewst;580391 wrote: You are currently keeping an Emperor Angel in a reef tank? What has your experience been? How large is the fish? tank? How does he get along with his tankmates? coral?

Yes, I have kept adults (6+ inches) in the past, and currently, I have a small 3" changing individual. Kept with SPS mostly, plus a few clams and softies. The adult LOVED eating zoas, but thats was about it. Some good news, is that I have heard many stories of emps having the same specific inclination for aiptasia and majanos, as mine did as well. My current fish eats only the food hes supposed to.

 

[thbrewst]

jmaneyapanda;580399 wrote: My current fish eats only the food hes supposed to.

Do you think there is any 'training' trick to getting to that point? Or is it more the luck of the individual fish that you end up with?

 

[jmaneyapanda]

thbrewst;580402 wrote: Do you think there is any 'training' trick to getting to that point? Or is it more the luck of the individual fish that you end up with?

Feed well. And QT in a tank with no corals. Throwing an angel in a reef tank without fully acclimating it to aquarium food is asking for it. The juveniles typical eat far more algae than inverts, but adults will eventually go after corals if underfed. And rightfully so.