Reef Safe Fish For Smaller Tanks

[Aquatic Dreams]

Looking for some nice fish to add to my aquariums. I'm really more of a softie, LPS enthusiast but would like a couple more fish. I currently have a 46 gal. with 2 Occ. Clowns, 2 Blue Sapphire Damsels and a couple of peppermint shrimp. I also have a 29 gal. with only 1 Occ. Clown.

The 46 has some softies, mushrooms and several BT anemones including a mini-maxi carpet. The 29 has some LPS, Zoas, Paly's and one SPS. I've been thinking about some Blenny's/Gobies but would also like suggestions for more active fish. Not much into Chromis really. I'm not looking to fully stock these tanks, I would just like to add 1 or 2 more fish to make them a bit more active.

It seems that many of the really cool looking fish are either more suited to larger tanks or aren't reef safe. Anybody keeping some cool smaller fish in smaller tanks. Maybe some Pajama Cardinals but would also like to add some colour.

 

[nathan]

The pj cardinals are a peaceful bunch but not really much to look at. I was trying to get my hands on some red masked gobbies but no one seems to sell them in canada

 

[Luke.]

In my 40 gallon I have
1 chocolate mimic tang
1 Cardinal
2 clowns
1 purple fire fish
1 yellow purple tail wrasse , all get along well
I would lean for a flasher wrasse or even a 6 line or a nice school of green chromis or gobey pistol shrimp pair

 

[AdInfinitum]

The Candy hogfish is one of my favorite small fish.

 

[Joshbrookkate]

The most active fish in my tank are my Flame Angel and Starkii Damsel. Both are beautiful and active. My tank is 75g but 30g is the recommended minimum size for either fish.
I know you want reef safe. The Flame Angel is a risk, but I feed well and have no problems.
The Starkii is totally reefsafe.

Let us know what you decide to get.....

 

[Luke.]

I miss my flame I had a tiny one in a 20 gallon for about 3-4 months but I lost him because I was new and lacked on top off water ... Yikes

 

[Aquatic Dreams]

Thanks for the replies. Ya I agree about the Cardinals ... cool fish but not overly FLASHY! I actually got a 6-line with my 46 gal. but it was very bullying of new fish. it was a great fish but just too mean at the time to anything new I added to the tank. I may get another wrasse but it will be the last fish I add to the tank I think. My buddy was suggesting a Coral Beauty but I think there would be the same risk as with any angel no? The hogfish is kind of interesting though. I'll have to do some more research on them.

 

[TORX]

...Coral Beauty but I think there would be the same risk as with any angel no?....

A Coral Beauty IS a Angelfish. Banggai cardinalfish flashy.

This is a big debate that comes up for smaller tanks, what to stock. Most of the popular fish that people want are either not reef safe or need a larger tank.

 

[Aquatic Dreams]

A Coral Beauty IS a Angelfish. Banggai cardinalfish flashy.

This is a big debate that comes up for smaller tanks, what to stock. Most of the popular fish that people want are either not reef safe or need a larger tank.

Yeah ... that's why I figured there would be the same risk but wasn't sure if perhaps the Coral Beauty was different in behaviour. And that's exactly the problem I'm having with choosing fish. LOL

I did see some nice Red Scooter Blennies for sale locally. Do you need to feed them pods though? I suppose I could ask to see them eat frozen first to ensure that they don't need live. Anybody have experience with them?

 

[Luke.]

Yeah 2 dwarf angles in a 46 gallon is asking for a issue

 

[Aquatic Dreams]

Yeah 2 dwarf angles in a 46 gallon is asking for a issue

Well if I was going to get an angel I'd only get one. Although I was worried about it nipping the corals.

 

[nathan]

Yeah ... that's why I figured there would be the same risk but wasn't sure if perhaps the Coral Beauty was different in behaviour. And that's exactly the problem I'm having with choosing fish. LOL

I did see some nice Red Scooter Blennies for sale locally. Do you need to feed them pods though? I suppose I could ask to see them eat frozen first to ensure that they don't need live. Anybody have experience with them?

I have a coral beauty that's a perfect gentleman but they are hit and miss with them. I took a chance and got a good one. But you would be doing at your own risk. Still an angel fish .

 

[Hong]

Neon goby, algae blenny are nice.

Sent from my Z10 using Tapatalk

 

[Bayinaung]

while not as commonly found in LFS, fathead or sunburst anthias would be perfect for a 40 gallon tank and absolutely reef safe. Unlike its cousins sunbursts are not as active and fast swimmers. they don't need to be fed several times a day either - I fed mine once a day.
they'd be a tad more active than pj cardinals and definitely more colourful. In a tank of your size I'd recommend keeping 1 as two would become territorial. just wait for them to show up in your LFS or make a request.

a less frequently seen but easy to keep fish - talbot's damsels. they have multiple shades of colors and tend to be on the least aggressive side amongst damsels.

Other species of cardinal fish would do just as fine too.

 

[nathan]

I also have a nice little springeri damsel. It's got marbled blue colors and when the moon lights are on the colors become vivid and seem like they glow... nice little fish. Doesn't bug anyone or pick at my coral. Loves to hang out with my clowns

 

[Aquatic Dreams]

I also have a nice little springeri damsel. It's got marbled blue colors and when the moon lights are on the colors become vivid and seem like they glow... nice little fish. Doesn't bug anyone or pick at my coral. Loves to hang out with my clowns

Yeah I have two of those in the 46 gal. ... the Blue Sapphire Damsels right? They're awesome and I always recommend them to others!

 

[nathan]

Yeah I believe there the same thing... great little fish

 

[AdInfinitum]

Yeah I believe there the same thing... great little fish

I keep one in my frag tank just in case any AEFW were to sneak through dips and inspection. Definitely a nice tempered exception to the Damsel family that are mostly aggressive little bastards.

 

[nathan]

I keep one in my frag tank just in case any AEFW were to sneak through dips and inspection. Definitely a nice tempered exception to the Damsel family that are mostly aggressive little bastards.

Yeah I agree. Perfect little fish really imo

 

[zoomster]

I have a coral beauty that's a perfect gentleman but they are hit and miss with them. I took a chance and got a good one. But you would be doing at your own risk. Still an angel fish .

I had a coral beauty for years and never a single issue.
Although I would rank them on the low end of the "risk-O-meter", it is still a risk that would be compounded by the smaller size of your tanks bud.
Just my 0.02 $ worth big D!