What fishes to recommend for 2.5' reef tank?

[ervine]

Hi guys,

What fishes would you guys recommend for a 2.5' tank? Was thinking of anthias but I heard they don't do too well in smaller tanks...

How? Any recommendations?

Thanks!

[Clownfish]

tangs r nice

dwarf angels such as coral beauty n flame angels r nice also, but may pick on some of ur corals....

u can hav 1 dottyback... reef safe

hmm... ML brought in some orchid dottybacks.... veri nice n rare... got yellow tang n purple tangs as well, can take a look there

[seamonkee]

tangs r nice

tangs are nice indeed but 2.5 feet is definitely way too small for a tang...

unless u get a real small one but still have to give it up once they get too big...

[ervine]

Don't really fancy yellow tangs... and likewise might get too big for my tank...

[FuEl]

GO FOR A GOBY TANK! Then i will have a fellow goby fanatic.

[Clownfish]

if u fancy small fishes, think u would have to settle for clownfishes & damsels

bicolor blenny / citron goby r small too

firefishes looks cool too

[ah^siao]

can keep clownfish.. yellow tang...

er.. not anthias.. they need big tank.. hmmm still got gobys.. damsels..

[ervine]

Hm.. damsels a bit aggressive right?

[ervine]

GO FOR A GOBY TANK! Then i will have a fellow goby fanatic.

Hm.. can see see your tank?

[FuEl]

Hm.. can see see your tank?

hmm..nah..not for now..not up to my standard yet..

Anyway..inside got 1 yellow coral goby..one firegoby..one purplegoby..one yellow watchman with his sri lankan tiger pistol..black-headed jawfish(goby-like)..got one black striped high fin goby with his red-banded shrimp (been MIA under my U.G filter plate since 1 month ago...saw them both about 3 days ago popping their heads out from the exit i cut for them)(I'm not running UG..the plate is there just for...propping purposes. )

[ervine]

Hm... but gobies tend to hide in holes right? Not very active swimmers...

BTW, any online resources to look at fishes and their specs? I've seen a few interesting fishes at the LFSes but cannot ID them...

[SharkBait]

Dart fishes are nice to have. scooter blennies are good. Fairy or flasher wrasses looks great!Don't get tangs though, they grow big too fast. Anthias can be kept in a small tank unless you are trying to keep a congregation of them.

[Joe_P]

Hm... but gobies tend to hide in holes right? Not very active swimmers...

BTW, any online resources to look at fishes and their specs? I've seen a few interesting fishes at the LFSes but cannot ID them...

Liveaquaria.com is a good place....

Fuei's advice on keepin gobies for small reefs sounds good... I would too if I'm holding to a 2.5 footer...

A goby coupled with a pistol shrimp would be interesting....

watchin their behaviour in reefs would be fascinating....

frankly smaller reefs with fauna possessing interestin habits would be a plus point as such habits normally gets unnoticed in huge reefs.....

Do take note that if you intend to get Jawfishes, they would require rather deep sand beds for burrowing if you desire them to do well.....

The carribean yellow headed Jawfish is a very interesting specimen with a really interesting pricetag....

[ervine]

Hmmm.. okie I go keep a lookout... what about chromis?

[SharkBait]

Hmmm.. okie I go keep a lookout... what about chromis?

They will look good in a congregation. Not sure how they will fare in a small tank though.

[Joe_P]

Heh.... if you are lookin for the the schoolin habit to be portrayed in a reef... you are most probably gonna be disappointed.... such schooling habits tend to wane as time goes by....

IMO, think its better to go for specific and interestin specimen due to the following....

1) Space in a 2.5 footer is limited....

and

2) Space in a 2.5 footer is limited ...

and

3) Space in a 2.5 footer is limited...

Get the point...???

As a reefer with a small space to cater too, one serious consideration would be the kind of livestock you would like to have... with the understandin that once something "that moves quickly" is in your reef, you gonna have a really tedious time getting them out....

[SharkBait]

Yeah, im especially careful when it comes to choosing fish. Clowns and damsels are a definite no no. Only docile and interesting fishes will be considered.

[AquaRa]

y u don't want clownfish? clownfish very funny 1, they will keep on looking at you

[ervine]

Heh.... if you are lookin for the the schoolin habit to be portrayed in a reef... you are most probably gonna be disappointed.... such schooling habits tend to wane as time goes by....

IMO, think its better to go for specific and interestin specimen due to the following....

1) Space in a 2.5 footer is limited....

and

2) Space in a 2.5 footer is limited ...

and

3) Space in a 2.5 footer is limited...

Get the point...???

As a reefer with a small space to cater too, one serious consideration would be the kind of livestock you would like to have... with the understandin that once something "that moves quickly" is in your reef, you gonna have a really tedious time getting them out....

Yes I am aware of the fact that "space in a 2.5 foot is limited" that's why I'm asking for suggestions mah...

Already have a clown that I'll be moving over along with an algae blenny... I think I'll stick to the suggestion of gobies thanks guys!

[FuEl]

The carribean yellow headed Jawfish is a very interesting specimen with a really interesting pricetag....

Ah..Joe..you saw it in sg b4 meh? I looked high n low for it but never see it before..so i had to settle for a black-headed jawfish instead.

How much was it going out for ?