Additional fish selection question........

[RG Rude]

I have a 29 gal. drilled AGA with a closed loop that provides awesome flow. I currently have a few snails and one hermit along with a varierty of corals and T-5 lighting. I also have one Gold Banded Maroon Clown and one Neon Dottyback, both about 2" inches in length. I'm looking for a suggestion for a third fish. I was also wondering if I can put any shrimp or an Emerald crab in the tank. I know that both of my fish can be aggressive, but the clown is currently "King of the tank".

[skydive]

I like blennies. I just got a bicolor blenny that's the coolest fish.

[PeachesInMich]

How about a mate for your clownfish?

[RG Rude]

How about a mate for your clownfish?

 

That thought of a mate had occurred to me also. Thanks. I was concerned about a blenny because it has the same body type as the Neon Dottyback only not as aggressive. I was afraid a Blenny would get pushed around too much.

[Toomin]

How about a mate for your clownfish?

getting a mate for a maroon?

it will be very difficult.

[RG Rude]

getting a mate for a maroon?

it will be very difficult.

 

I didn't know that. The one I have is still relatively young and small. For my knowledge being a relative newby, what would be the reason for the difficulty?

[Toomin]

Maroon are one of the most fierce species of clownfish, followed by tomato clowns.

by introducing a new clown inside, it will be a slaughter as they wont tolerate a new clown.

of course, if you insist, you can try buying a new clown, put it in a betta box and see what happens.

[revaltion131]

Maroon are one of the most fierce species of clownfish, followed by tomato clowns.

by introducing a new clown inside, it will be a slaughter as they wont tolerate a new clown.

of course, if you insist, you can try buying a new clown, put it in a betta box and see what happens.

 

+1 You have a somewhat aggressive tank. If you were going to add another fish, I'd recommend a bigger dwarf angel, in the 4" range, or a damsel. I think there are some wrasses that would do well in a more aggressive tank as well, maybe even 6-lines. A smaller fish might be able to run and hide, but I'm not familiar if it would cause stress issues for the little guy or not.

[jadefox]

How about a Purple Chromis (Chromis scotti)? Cool color, holds its own, and is about four inches. Here is an article about other chromis species you might want to consider.

 

In terms of dwarf angels, I'd consider the African Flameback Angelfish (Centropyge acanthops), the Brazilian Flameback Angelfish (Centropyge aurantonotus), the Cherub Angelfish (Centropyge argi), the Pacific Pygmy Angelfish (Centropyge flavicauda), or the Flame Angelfish (Centropyge loricula). Here is an article with a bit more info on these five fishes.

 

I agree with above assessment of the maroon clown.

[RG Rude]

Thanks,. All of these replies was exactly what I was hoping for. I will definitely stay away from the additional clownfish. I like the dwarf angel idea. Are shrimp or an emerald crab out of the question?

[jadefox]

Thanks,. All of these replies was exactly what I was hoping for. I will definitely stay away from the additional clownfish. I like the dwarf angel idea. Are shrimp or an emerald crab out of the question?

 

The five dwarf angels I listed are all considered reef-compatible WITH CAUTION. IMO they are some of the best dwarfs appropriate for the novice and reef-compatible. I'd probably try a cleaner shrimp and an emerald crab, but that's just me.

[RG Rude]

Thanks everybody. I'm leaning towards a Flame Angelfish. The only thing I did not make clear is that I have a 3" Maxima Clam. The Maroon Clown and Dottyback never bother it. Will it be compatible with a Dwarf Angel?

[revaltion131]

Thanks everybody. I'm leaning towards a Flame Angelfish. The only thing I did not make clear is that I have a 3" Maxima Clam. The Maroon Clown and Dottyback never bother it. Will it be compatible with a Dwarf Angel?

 

From what I've read, if your angel picks at something, it may easily be a clam before anything else, because the zooanthellae (I know I goobed up the spelling) are easiest to get from the clam. It's kind of like playing a lottery, because there is an exception to every rule.

 

Flames are beautiful angels, but they're a little more likely to pick at corals. I believe the Brazilian flameback is the one that can have the attitude, so that personality may match your maroon perfectly. As far as the Pacific Pygmy Angel (Centropyge flavicauda) goes, you need to make sure you know about the coloration before you buy one. Almost every company shows the juvenile and only the juvenile color morph, with no mention of the adult morph. They "brown" out, changing from the beautiful blue they're pictured as to a duller color, but I know people that like the coloration all the same.

[RG Rude]

How about three yellow tail blue damsels? I have plenty of hiding spots in the liverock.

[HankB]

How about three yellow tail blue damsels? I have plenty of hiding spots in the liverock.

 

Won't they eventually challenge your clown to be king of the tank? I've heard it is tough to add fish when you start with damsels. I don't know if you run into the same problems when you add damsels.

 

-hank

[RG Rude]

Won't they eventually challenge your clown to be king of the tank? I've heard it is tough to add fish when you start with damsels. I don't know if you run into the same problems when you add damsels.

 

-hank

 

Thanks for the heads up. I had not thought that they would challenge the Maroon for tank dominance. Good thing I asked. I think I have settled on a Lemon Peel Dwarf Angel. I will monitor it to see if it goes after the Maxima Clam.

[RG Rude]

Forget the Lemon Peel Angel. I believe I need more experience for that choice. What would you think about a Chalk Bass?