Even the largest of reef tanks needs to be careful while selecting the fishes to be kept with the corals and rocks. Not all fishes are calm and compatible enough in the reef aquariums. Some tend to start feeding on the corals and their food, other may stress them with their aggressiveness and some even get themselves injured. On the other hand there are fishes that are happy to be in reef tanks and serve the process of clearing the tank of the wastes. While choosing fishes for a reef tank there are many factors to be kept in mind for healthy and trouble free management like demands of fish, lightning conditions it needs and the kind of food it consumes. Here are some elegant fishes you can add to your reef tank without any qualms.
1.Regal tangs
These are peaceful fish that in an attractive blue color with its caudal fins in yellow. They are compatible in reef tanks and cause no harm to the other content. The regal tangs need hiding places so live rocks are necessary for its healthy growth. They are also known to consume algae so they are good for preventing corals for algae blooms.
2.Blonde Naso
These fishes are aggressive towards other tangs but are found harmless for corals. They are peaceful generally and the coloration that changes with maturity adds to the beauty of the reef aquarium. They do not have special needs regarding feeds and will consume any type of food including the leftover nutrients that can promote algal growth.
3.Crosshatch Triggerfish
This fish is a classic favorite for new and old reef keepers. The attractive color patterns on its body with the exclusive stripes are probably the reason behind its popularity. They are handled with some caution and prove to be really a good choice for reef tanks. They make some sound and need hiding places where they rearrange the landscaping and rocks wandering in and out of the caves.
4.Tinker’s Butterfly
The tinker’s butterfly is an exclusively attractive fish for reef aquariums. Their anterior half is white with black dots on each scale and the posterior part of the body is black. Shades of yellow and orange mark the face, dorsal fin, and tail. Though some breeds of butterfly fishes are not compatible in reef tanks because of their picking on corals and rocks, this kind is perfectly suited for its non aggressive nature.
5.Yellow Assessor
These fishes have that tint of gold on their body and since they don’t grow longer, they are apt for reef keeping. The yellow body with red outlines gives them an elegant look. Their calm nature and the fact that they do not bother other invertebrates make them an excellent choice for reef aquariums.
6.Kuiter’s Leopard wrasse
7.Queen Angelfish
These cute and small fishes are so aptly named queen angelfish. They are absolutely reef compatible and elegant enough to be considered a part of larger reef tanks. Though they need to be handled with caution, the result is absolutely worth the effort. They are a little demanding when it comes to feeding but that is not a problem until you know how to keep them stress free.
8.Royal Gramma
The bright violet and yellow blend of colors on its body make them look really royal and will no doubt turn heads when you add them to your reef tanks. They are good in reef and are peaceful in nature. They do not disturb other invertebrates. They are small and can even be nurtured in nano tanks.
9.Ignitus Anthias
The fiery tinge in these little fishes of red, orange and yellow add a trendy glow to reef tanks. Found to be absolutely reef compatible and show interesting morph in breeding. They are peaceful and should never be kept with aggressive fishes hence a reef tank is the best place where they can be nurtured.
10.Maroon clownfish
The semi aggressive maroon clownfish are easy to care and very compatible in reef tanks. The excellent color patterns are a plus point no doubt, and its unfriendliness to copper makes it welcome to reef aquariums. They are perhaps the breed that is found in most reef aquariums for their low demands and good looks.
These were fishes that are popular with reef tanks and do well in them causing no harm to corals and anemones. There are many more known and some unknown. What is important is that you must know the compatibility of the fish before making it a part of your reef aquarium. After getting any new fish, quarantine them for a few weeks and keep a strict eye on them for a few days after adding them to the main tank.