My husband wants a "big fish"

nina&noah

nina&noah

Member
Ok so my husband does not stop saying he wants a big colorful fish. I explained to him why we can't have an angel or a tang, but he doesn't stop.
I'd like to get him something to surprise him. Is there a tang or angel that I can have. Don't want the tang police on my tail! Any ideas?
I have a 90 gallon reef tank with:
2 hammer corals
3 florida anenomes
2 starfish
hermits
snails
cucumber
royal dottyback
copperband butterfly
maroon clown
3 chromis
yellow wrasse
I was thinking about getting another wrasse, but I can't find one that is safe.
 
scsinet

scsinet

Active Member
Find a mystery wrasse. They can be tough to find, but are reef safe and incredibly colorful. They aren't big.. but they are colorful.
 
trigger11

trigger11

Member
Originally Posted by nina&noah
http:///forum/post/2473583
Ok so my husband does not stop saying he wants a big colorful fish. I explained to him why we can't have an angel or a tang, but he doesn't stop.
I'd like to get him something to surprise him. Is there a tang or angel that I can have. Don't want the tang police on my tail! Any ideas?
I have a 90 gallon reef tank with:
2 hammer corals
3 florida anenomes
2 starfish
hermits
snails
cucumber
royal dottyback
copperband butterfly
maroon clown
3 chromis
yellow wrasse
I was thinking about getting another wrasse, but I can't find one that is safe.
You might check into a Kole Tang. They dont grow as large as the others and from what I remember reading should do ok in a 90G. But I would definitely do a little more research first and see what others think.
~Trigger
 
sac10918

sac10918

Member
What about a Mandarin? My husband (and my dad too) think that they are the most incredible fish....
I think a 90 gallon would be big enough provided you have plenty of LR and lots of pods...
 
nina&noah

nina&noah

Member
Originally Posted by sac10918
http:///forum/post/2473728
What about a Mandarin? My husband (and my dad too) think that they are the most incredible fish....
I think a 90 gallon would be big enough provided you have plenty of LR and lots of pods...
I LOVE the Mandarin, but my lfs and the guy who helps me with the maintenance on my tank all say that my tank is not established enough for a Mandarin. It is only about 8 months old.
So far great suggestions! Keep them coming, I've got a lot of research to do.
 
coachklm

coachklm

Active Member
once again ... a chevron Tang should not be underestimated.... these are VERY difficult (and expensive) fish
pretty ...yes
hardy...no
 
1journeyman

1journeyman

Active Member
Yipes. Some of the suggestions on this thread are questionable at best.
I'm impressed your lfs hasn't sold you a Mandarin. Good store. Remember that several fish also eat pods. A 6 Line Wrasse, for instance, will decimate your pod population. Keep that in mind when looking at future fish.
Explain to your husband that big fish belong in big tanks. Maybe you'll get a bigger tank out of the deal?

In all seriousness, avoid largeactive swimming fish. They simply don't belong in a tank less than 6 feet long.
Also be sure to check reef compatibility of fish.
I personally love the more docile species of Hawkfish. Falcos and Red Spotted Hawks are both interesting, and usually invert safe. Another Clown to pair up with your current one is also a good option. Clownfish behavior noticeably changes when they pair up. Blennies and Gobies (depending on your substrate) can also add to your tank.
I like the Wrasse suggestions as well.
 
chrgerondavins

chrgerondavins

Member
Originally Posted by 1journeyman
http:///forum/post/2473982
Yipes. Some of the suggestions on this thread are questionable at best.
I'm impressed your lfs hasn't sold you a Mandarin. Good store. Remember that several fish also eat pods. A 6 Line Wrasse, for instance, will decimate your pod population. Keep that in mind when looking at future fish.
Explain to your husband that big fish belong in big tanks. Maybe you'll get a bigger tank out of the deal?

In all seriousness, avoid largeactive swimming fish. They simply don't belong in a tank less than 6 feet long.
Also be sure to check reef compatibility of fish.
I personally love the more docile species of Hawkfish. Falcos and Red Spotted Hawks are both interesting, and usually invert safe. Another Clown to pair up with your current one is also a good option. Clownfish behavior noticeably changes when they pair up. Blennies and Gobies (depending on your substrate) can also add to your tank.
I like the Wrasse suggestions as well.
I disagree maroon clowns usually do NOT get along in captivity, I happen to have a pair but I bought them that way.
Also try an exquisite fairy wrasse, or a blue flasher wrasse. (Although exquisite fairy's are considered "caution" w/ reef, mine has been in for awhile, and the one at the LFS I work at had them in a reef tank for a long time. Never had any problem) Sometimes it's something stupid that they do that dubs them "with caution" with reef.
As far as tangs go my full-grown powder brown tang is fine in my FOWLR tank. Wouldn't recommend a Hippo tang though.
Another cool angel is a bicolor angel, they are beautiful.
 
R

rcreations

Guest
Get a Foxface. He's the main attraction of my reef tank. Everyone who comes over always loves to watch him swim around. A lot of personality on this fish, very friendly, never picks on any of my other fish or corals. Best fish I have!
 
notsonoob

notsonoob

Member
Originally Posted by nina&noah
http:///forum/post/2473733
I LOVE the Mandarin, but my lfs and the guy who helps me with the maintenance on my tank all say that my tank is not established enough for a Mandarin. It is only about 8 months old.
So far great suggestions! Keep them coming, I've got a lot of research to do.
It can be done if you have a supply of pods to suppliment your tank and if you have a fuge. You definitely need a refugium for a mandrin.
I supplied my tank and fuge with a suppliment of copods and I found the bottom of my filter pad loaded with them...and I just brushed them off back into the tank.
I've had my mandrin in the tank from 3 months until now. It is just making sure that he is fed and cared for. Now with the availability of copod suppliments, it makes it a lot easier.
 
jmick

jmick

Active Member
Originally Posted by ocean predator
http:///forum/post/2474092
how about a clown tang or bicolor angel???????????????????

Why would you suggest a clown tang? This is one of the most difficult fish to keep long or short term and requires much larger tank.
 
nina&noah

nina&noah

Member
Originally Posted by Jmick
http:///forum/post/2474105
Why would you suggest a clown tang? This is one of the most difficult fish to keep long or short term and requires much larger tank.
That is what I thought. Everytime I come to swf I see that picture of the clown tang and I think "awwwww I want that." They are so beautiful! I would love to have one, but I want a fish that will be healthy in my tank.
 
nina&noah

nina&noah

Member
Originally Posted by RCreations
http:///forum/post/2474031
Get a Foxface. He's the main attraction of my reef tank. Everyone who comes over always loves to watch him swim around. A lot of personality on this fish, very friendly, never picks on any of my other fish or corals. Best fish I have!
I had a foxface, and he didn't last two weeks.
 
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