Recommend a "center piece" fish for our reef tank?

shelley293

shelley293

New Member
Hi there! I would love to hear suggestions for a "center piece" fish for our system. I would like something large and colorful as our one very special fish. We have a 75 gal display with a 55 gal sump in the basement = total water vol 130 gals. Need something that won't eat xenia... My only coral requirement is a xenia - as they are my favorite and I don't think I would do the whole thing without xenia!

I am hoping to see suggestions for an angel or tang of some kind?
I have done dwarf angles in the past and would love a full size angel, if anyone can suggest one! I am willing to try out the fish - and if he eats the xenia, give him to my friend. The tank is quite new, so I don't mind tearing up rock to catch him, lol.
 
tim514

tim514

Member
Im trying to think of the same.
I have a purple psuedochromis, 2 black/white clowns, and 2 green chromis.
I am thinking about adding a lawnmower blenny and either a yellow tang or a flame angel.
 
shelley293

shelley293

New Member
Originally Posted by Bulldog123
http:///forum/post/3228325
Are you part of the MASC in Denver. Next weekend there is a frag swap in Arvada!
Cool! I didn't know stuff like that went on around here! I will google and see if I can find info!
 
shelley293

shelley293

New Member
Also LFS recommend a "wassamer" or "wass" something full size angel as a possibilty. Anyone know what that might be? I didn't write it down thinking I would remember it!
 
kraylen

kraylen

Member
Your tank isn't big enough to house a tang or a full size angelfish. Keep in mind a minimum tank size is just that... "minimum" not a standard. Total water volume means nothing, size of display does. I.E. 8 foot+ tank for a tang.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by shelley293
http:///forum/post/3228320
Hi there! I would love to hear suggestions for a "center piece" fish for our system. I would like something large and colorful as our one very special fish. We have a 75 gal display with a 55 gal sump in the basement = total water vol 130 gals. Need something that won't eat xenia... My only coral requirement is a xenia - as they are my favorite and I don't think I would do the whole thing without xenia!

I am hoping to see suggestions for an angel or tang of some kind?
I have done dwarf angles in the past and would love a full size angel, if anyone can suggest one! I am willing to try out the fish - and if he eats the xenia, give him to my friend. The tank is quite new, so I don't mind tearing up rock to catch him, lol.

I had a 75g, now a 90g.
I love my blue Hippo tang... but IMO my most beautiful fish is my Lemonpeel dwarf angel...it is a brilliant yellow with baby blue around the eyes and gills. The fish is stunningly beautiful, and it is very social dodging in and out of the rocks, seldom hides when I go by the tank. They only get to be about 4 ½ inches full grown, so they are great for a 75g tank..

I have lots of coral, I feed my fish 2Xs a day, I have no clams. No problems to date. I love my Xenia too!
P.S.
Full size angels according to my book needs a min tank of 55g so the 75g is just fine. One of the big ones like a flagfin needs a 75g min. they get to be about 9.8 inches. This fish is Not reef safe, just explaining on size and tanks.
 
deejeff442

deejeff442

Active Member
a large angel in a 55 gallon ?where did you find that book?
are you kidding ?that thing would be so aggressive it would need a lobotomy.
almost a 10 inch fish in a 4 foot tank is ok ?
since its a reef any large angel is out anyway.maybe try a flame or another dwarf but it is still a cross your finger situation.
the only way i would do a tang is to get one small and plan to upsize later.
to the op look at some of the reef safe wrasses there are alot of really colorful ones and they are all very energetic.
 
chilwil84

chilwil84

Active Member
no large angles, a yellow tang or kole would be okay but dont purchase a show size and these are more common so not exactly a center piece. rabbit fish are a little more rare and more expensive but would be okay in your 75 and make a nice show fish.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
No large angel belongs in a 75G. Most tangs do not belong in a 75G either, with the exception of the Yellow Tang, Tomini, Kole, Scopus, and Convict.
A foxface would be a stretch, but may be doable. Keep an eye on them in a reef though, some nip, some don't.
Some butterflies are okay in a reef as well.
If you're looking for color, look into a reef safe wrasse, there's quite a few that you could put in a 75 that would look nice.
From personally experience, the fish people notice most in my tank and friends tanks that would work in your tank as well are the dwarf angels.
 
shelley293

shelley293

New Member
Great suggestions! I have had several different dwarf angels, and they are beautiful indeed!
I will look at some wrasses. I hadn't thought along those routes -so thanks!
 
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