What fish to Get?

Hi my name is Erik I started a 75 gallon reef tank on 1/20/10. I have 1 small pink skunk clown fish, a few soft corals, 1 LPS, 5 SPS coral frags, along with 1 peppermint shrimp and various snails and crabs. I have 120 lbs of live sand and 130 lbs of rock. I have a 4 bulb T5 setup with 1 250 watt MH.

My question is what do you think would be a good next fish to get. I am looking for something reef safe and peaceful. I would like something colorful but I am having a hard time deciding. Top on my list now would be Vanderbuilti Chromis (a few of them) some kind of tang and I was thinking about a rabitfish. I also kind of like 6 line wrasse but I am not sure if that would be a good fit I heard they can be aggressive.

Please let me know your thoughts it seems like the coolest fish are not reef safe but I do not want to get something and regret it.

Thanks Erik PS the pic I have here is not the best but at least you can see how my setup is.

I like tangs, but you may need to upgrade ur tank in the future if you get one.

I really like Trigger fish, many are reef safe and blue chins and niger's can be multiples if you like a school

so will you be buying online or from a LFS??


Reason being is shipping can be a little tough on some things if done by someone with little exp.

There are a lot of great sponcers here so check out what they have and the specials they have going on..


One advantage you will have by buying from a LFS is,,, have them keep it for you for a week or so incase it dies or has to be quarentined!!

It also helps the LFS business when they have a healthy cool looking fish with a sold sign on it!!

I am open to buying LFS or from online. I have only 1 fish got him at LFS but many of my corals have come from online. It just seems like the LFS always has the same few fish or corals over and over agian. That is what sends me to online sites.

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Thanks I am going to check it out.

I recommend a small Sailfin Tang, maybe a lyretail Anthia's or 2, and some gobies?

What do you think about the flame wrasse?

Hey Erik

The little 6 line wrasse is nice, I love the flame wrasses but you need some sort of cover they are big jumpers. I had a mated pair and found out the hard way. The little gobies are one of my favorites. Rabbitfish are nice looking but I've never had any .

I was going to suggest some type of wrasse. Fairy wrasse or something. I dont know if i would go with a tang or rabbit fish.

the little reef chromises (the darker blue ones) are nice schooling fish, and super easy to keep - if you want to keep it simple and peaceful i'd recommend 4 or 5 of those, and a starry blenny for your rocks

the big fish are nice, but they poop a lot too - so, if you like to clean your tank, triggers and tangs are nice, if no, then clowns, chromis, blennies are good

I'm with Chris. I'm a big fan of wrasses. Most are peaceful, colorful, and active. What more could you ask for in a fish?

With the clown in the tank you will need a lid on your tank for any types of wrasse - he will be a dried up fishstick within days without!!

Thanks for all the feedback. I decided to go with 6 blue green chromis. I know no the most exciting choice but I have to say they look real cool in the tank. The all swim together and look much better under my lighting than at the LFS. My question about them is do they ever sleep? My clown will go hide and sit on the sand and do what looks like sleep. These little guys are still swimming around and its 1am. I also really like the wrasse but I think that will be the next fish I get they seem to be really colorful.

They are a pretty active fish, they will sleep while suspended up in the water column and in hiding spots.