small active swimmers

[lmforbis]

I have a 55 gal reef tank and I am looking for fish that swim around. Currently I have a watchman gobi, a pajama cardinal (mostly nocturnal), and a small bicolor angel. The angel swims around a bit but mostly among the rocks, I really don't see it very much. I had 3 damsels who added a lot of colorful motion but they were too vicious to keep. Now there are no fish actively swimming in the tank. I'd like to add at least one preferably 2 or 3 small colorful active swimmers. Any suggestions?

 

[bang guy]

Most of the small active swimmers require frequent small feedings. This is a reason they don't do well in the hobby. Examples are Anthias, Redspot Cardinalfish, etc.

If sedentary small fish are an option they tend to thrive in a captive environment like Neon Gobies, Barnacle Blennies, Clown Gobies...

 

[Bryce E]

My small black and white clown never stops. Good choice for an active fish that's not going to ever hide much. Same thing with my green chromis. In the damsel family but not nearly as aggressive. But yeah I know what you mean. By barbershop goby and even my firefish goby hide all day long.

 

[lmforbis]

I don't mind small frequent feedings. I already have a watchman gobi. Would others of that body type that occupy the same space in the tank be a problem?

 

[mauler]

What about small wrasses?

 

[Bryce E]

I added a firefish goby to mine and he hid with my babershop. Then I put a peppermint shrimp in and it hid with both of them.

 

[lmforbis]

@mauler Any particular type of wrasse that would work well in a smallish reef.

 

[lmforbis]

My gobi is visible all the time. sits on the sand watching everything going by.

 

[mauler]

@mauler Any particular type of wrasse that would work well in a smallish reef.

Any of the fairy and flasher wrasses would be good.

 

[2014FishKiller]

Most of the small active swimmers require frequent small feedings. This is a reason they don't do well in the hobby. Examples are Anthias, Redspot Cardinalfish, etc.

If sedentary small fish are an option they tend to thrive in a captive environment like Neon Gobies, Barnacle Blennies, Clown Gobies...

I am planning to get an Anthias, how often that need to feed them

 

[jay0705]

Possum wrasse, 6line wrasse, pair of clowns. Dotty backs are active. Royal gramma

 

[mauler]

I've heard six lines can be aggressive and go after shrimp occasionally.

 

[mauler]

I am planning to get an Anthias, how often that need to feed them

Most anthias need to be feed 3-4 small meals a day

 

[jay0705]

My doesn't bother shrimp, or other fish. I have heard they can be aggressive w age tho

 

[mauler]

I know they're very popular in reef tanks so maybe they aren't that bad.

 

[lmforbis]

I was looking at a carpenters flasher wrasse. Anybody have any experience with them? I do have one one cleaner shrimp and 5 peppermint shrimps so I don't want anything that will harm them.

 

[2014FishKiller]

Most anthias need to be feed 3-4 small meals a day

That maybe too much, special I need to go to work. Can I get three at the same time?

 

[jay0705]

Carpenters are nice wrasse, np w shrimp

 

[lmforbis]

@jay0705 How big do the carpenters get.

 

[jay0705]

About 3-4" my mcoskers is similar and he's about 3.5"