[Fish R.Ph.]

Hi All,

I've been off-line for a little while, but now I'm back...and my 75 Gallon is finally ready for a friend.



Help me pick my first fish!

I need something with cool personality, that won't hide all day, and plenty of color.

I already have a clown, coral beauty, and royal gramma in my 20 gallon, so I don't really want to repeat them.

Any thoughts? The tank will be FOWLR for about 6-12 months, then my lighting gets pumped up and I go full blown reef.

The tank has been cycling with live rock for a while, and according to my own readings (and the local fish store), is ready for fish (Ammonia and Nitrite are zero, Nitrate 0-5). I have a 30 gallon sump/fuge with skimmer and macro growing. Sand bed is fine oolitic, 3-4 inches. I've also added live sand from a couple sources.

Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks in advance. I really appreciate all the help you've given me.

Gratefully,

Jason

[BubbaWPB]

I love anthias. Very colorful and peaceful (in general). Although they are shy and will hide (especially at first), if you have a small group, they will become comfortable and come out more often. Dispar, bartlets, and "blue-eyed" are nice for community tanks and don't get as large as some other species.

A nice brightly colored tang would be nice, too... purple, yellow, blue hippo...

[rededteck]

Tangs are hardy but aggressive... I would not add one for the first fish. I would consider green chromis, 6 line wrasse, a pygmy angel of some sort.

Good luck, let us know what you choose!

[newatthis]

I love my green mandarins. Everybody says they are hard and you should have your tank going for at least a year. I got 2 mandarins in my 125 after 2 months and they seem to be the hardiest fish ive got. I supplemented copepods a couple of times and now they are everywhere. I like my mandarins the best and now they are eating mysid shrimp. You dont get more colorful and i love to watch mine. Bring on the critics.

[newatthis]

Another fish I love is the neon goby. I have 2 in mine 125. Though they are only about 1 1/2 inches they are so cool. They eat about anything and swim around in my fingers when I stick them in the tank. They also provide cleaning services when you get more fish.

[almostdiva]

How do you feel about arc-eye hawks? They are colorful and have tons of personality.

You could do 3-4 jawfish (pick the kind you like) in a 75G -- they have TONS of personality.

Trios of flasher wrasses (male and 2 females -- then the male would display)?

like bubba said -- small school of anthias?

I wouldn't add a tang until later, either.

I personally love my firefish. You could keep a trio or 5 of the orange in a 75 or a pair of purple (what I have). They will be shy at first, but then come out all the time. You CAN'T beat them for color --either type. They are positively iridescent!

have fun!

Rebecca

[Fish R.Ph.]

Thanks to everyone for your great suggestions!

And the Winner is…..

ANTHIAS!

A Lyretail anthias to be exact. Or more specifically Pseudanthias squamipinnis.

I went with just one for now. I will eventually get him a little harem of his own. I got him last Friday, so he has been with me a week. He was very shy the first few days, but now is showing off regularly. Here is a real lousy picture of him getting used to his new home. Actually, not sure he is a "him" yet. But of course, he will be shortly if he is not, as he is alone in the tank.



Anyway, thanks again for all the help. I'm probably not going to add anything else to the tank until after we go on vacation next month.

Then...who knows what. I had been planning to go reef eventually, but I really LOVE the Picaso Triggerfish. Somebody want to talk me out of this idea????

Thanks again for everything,
Jason

[Captain326]

i had a lyretail anthias for a little while and must commend you on your choice. They are gorgeous fish, with lots of personality. I would have also recommended a fire goby, as they are incredibly hardy.(Mine jumped out of the tank at the store, landed on the floor, then again out of the bucket used for acclimating. Was found after 5 minutes, but is still alive and well today two months later)