55 g Fish List

garnet13aj

garnet13aj

Active Member
Okay, I've been switching my fish list back and forth every few weeks it seems like, but I picked up Marine Fishes by Scott Michael and have found some fish that should work. I would love everyone's help in finalizing my lisft.Tank: 55 FOWLR w/crushed coral
Current Inhabitants: 2 Ocellaris Clownfish
Definitely want: Snowflake Eel (Doesn't generally eat fish, mainly crustaceans)
Potential tankmates:
-Yellow Assessor or Blue Assessor
-Coral Beauty, Potter's Angelfish, Bluespotted Angelfish, dot-and-dash butterflyfish, blackback butterflyfish, or klein's butterflyfish
-Sixline wrasse or Scott's Fairy wrasse, or Filamented Flasher wrasse
Out of the potential tankmates which ones should I add (along with the eel and clowns) based on appropriate size, appearance, level of care, and personality. I understand they won't all fit.
I would also like suggestions on order of introduction and age of tank at introduction.
Thanks so much, sorry for burdening everyone with another boring fish list thread. There are so many every day, but choosing by oneself it not always the best idea for a beginner.
Also, does anyone have any suggestions for sealing the tank off so fish don't jump out and the eel can't escape.
 
poniegirl

poniegirl

Active Member
Your tank is four feet.
This info is found on a basic search for the snowflake eel.
Average Size: To an average length of about three feet (36 inches).
Minimum Tank Size Suggested: No less than 75 gallons, because even though you may have a smaller specimen it can outgrow a tank rather quickly.
Habitat: Predatory bottom dweller that requires plenty of shelter for hiding.
 
garnet13aj

garnet13aj

Active Member
I've been doing a lot of research on the sfe, I know how big they can get and the size of tank recomended by the book I have is 30. I've talked to a lot of people on this site and read a lot of old posts that say an sfe will be perfectly happy in a 55 gallon tank. They do not move around a lot except when coming out to look for food.
I'd love to hear opinions on my potential fish, the sfe I already have plans to get. So lets stay on topic!!!! :jumping:
Thanks again. :joy:
 
nicetry

nicetry

Active Member
You will limit yourself with the eel. While not necessarily a nasty fish, they do get large, can eat fish, and produce copious amounts of waste, which can tax your filtration.
You have angels and butterflies on your list. IME, these do best when introduced to well established/mature systems. Not really good choices for new set ups or beginner hobbyists. Of the butterflies, should you eventually opt for one, the kleins or blackback would be hardy choices. Stay away from Potter's and blue spot angels. A coral beauty would work well.
With the clowns you now have, a sixline wrasse would be a nice addition, or swap that for one of the smaller flasher wrasses. IMO, most of the fairy wrasses need more space. Assessors are nice fish. Another pretty fish with great personality is the midas blenny. If you want a colorful tank with lot's of movement and eye appeal, stick with small to medium species that won't outgrow the system and that won't pose even a marginal threat to other tank mates. As much as you want the eel, and they are interesting fish, a bit of compromise will give you a nicer set up.
 
garnet13aj

garnet13aj

Active Member
Thanks for the good info, that helps me narrow my choices down some. I'm sure I want the eel and I understand that it limits me and I'm okay with that.
If I have crushed coral I can't have any blennies right? I haven't looked into them because of that reason, but I'm not absolutely sure that that's true.
 
sepulatian

sepulatian

Moderator
Originally Posted by nicetry
You will limit yourself with the eel. While not necessarily a nasty fish, they do get large, can eat fish, and produce copious amounts of waste, which can tax your filtration.
You have angels and butterflies on your list. IME, these do best when introduced to well established/mature systems. Not really good choices for new set ups or beginner hobbyists. Of the butterflies, should you eventually opt for one, the kleins or blackback would be hardy choices. Stay away from Potter's and blue spot angels. A coral beauty would work well.
With the clowns you now have, a sixline wrasse would be a nice addition, or swap that for one of the smaller flasher wrasses. IMO, most of the fairy wrasses need more space. Assessors are nice fish. Another pretty fish with great personality is the midas blenny. If you want a colorful tank with lot's of movement and eye appeal, stick with small to medium species that won't outgrow the system and that won't pose even a marginal threat to other tank mates. As much as you want the eel, and they are interesting fish, a bit of compromise will give you a nicer set up.
I completely agree
 
garnet13aj

garnet13aj

Active Member
If it ever becomes a problem I guess I would, but right now between my cleanup crew and vaccuuming it doesn't seem to be having a negative effect. I keep it pretty thin, which also helps.
Have any opinions on my list?
 
crazyaqua

crazyaqua

Member
I would say the coral beauty very nice fish cool personality and i would make sure you have a lot of live rock they like to hide and graze in it. Also sixline's are very cool fish and they are pretty hardy. though i would keep an eye on the snowflake when he gets older he may decided to eat the sixline :scared: as a snack or may not depends on the snowflake. also good call on the snowflake i think there one of the coolest eels out there.
 
garnet13aj

garnet13aj

Active Member
Thanks. Okay, sounds like the sixline wrasse is best suited for my tank out of that category.
Does anyone think I can fit one from each potential category in my tank if I take it really slow?
 
garnet13aj

garnet13aj

Active Member
So, the angel/butterfly (haven't decided yet) should be added at 6 months or more right?
Can the eel be added before that?
 
garnet13aj

garnet13aj

Active Member
As far as the length of an sfe goes, I've heard many more mentions I haven't come up with 36" for average. I hear a lot about 2 feet and my Marine Fishes book says max 29.5. So, I don't think the basic search gives an average of 36". I'm not denying that it could get that big, but it's unlikely and it's not what you find in the average search. I just wanted to throw that out there, so people reading this post that don't know anything about sfe's wouldn't be horrified by the fact that I want one for my tank.
Always open to more opinons on my lists, so keep them coming. I'm getting another fish when I get back from break on the 2nd of january.
 
cnall

cnall

Member
I've just started up my 55 a couple of months ago and all I have so far is three chromis, a fire goby, and rusty angel. I have been told my rusty behaves a lot like a coral and in that case I would highly recommend it. My fire goby is also a very cool small fish that adds some really good color. Keep us posted on what you decide on.
 
garnet13aj

garnet13aj

Active Member
That's good to hear that they have a good personality! The reason I can't decide about the coral beauty is that it seems like everybody has them and their color varies a lot but I think that personality seems equally as important as color. I'll keep everyone posted.
Another question though, why do fairy wrasses need more room. My book says the Scott's Fairy wrasse can live in a 55, is it because they need more swimming room?
 
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