Leopard Wrasse or Dispar Anthias?

GordoB · 06-29-2006, 12:19 PM

I have a 40 gallon hex reef tank with a Neon Dottyback and an Arc Eye Hawkfish. I have a mixture of LPS, Leathers, and Softies, plus one small Scroll Coral. I will be adding 1 small Gold Stripe Maroon Clown soon. Depending on which fish I get, I will add it next or wait and let it be the last fish I add. I will have 4 fish total, after I get the Clown and a Leopard Wrasse or Dispar Anthias. My question is, which of the two (Wrasse or Anthias) would be the best candidate for my tank?

Thanks!

Geoff · 06-29-2006, 09:00 PM

not sure either of those would be a good match for you tank.

the leopard wrasse is a picky eater. a 40 will not have the pod population needed to feed a leopard wrasse.

the fish you already have in there are fairly aggressive. not sure the anthias would get a chance to eat with a clown and a dottyback fighting for food.

G~

GordoB · 06-30-2006, 07:28 AM

Thanks Geoff for the advice.

Can you recommend any other fish? I definitely want 4 fish total, so I would like to add the GS Maroon Clown and something else. I thought about the Leopard Wrasse, because they are really cool, and I thought it could hold it's own, but if it will starve, I don't want to mess with that. What if I have a refugium? I'm not dead set on it though, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again

Geoff · 06-30-2006, 08:50 AM

a refugium really would not help. maybe setting up another system for growing pods would, but this is generally a lot more trouble than it is worth.

other fish options: gonna be kinda tough with those two meanies in there, the dotty back and the clown. maybe a damsel of somekind. i know, they are the devil, but they will hold their own against the clown and the dottyback. a six-lined wrasse might also be a good choice.

G~

GordoB · 07-06-2006, 11:02 AM

Thanks Geoff. Is a six-lined wrasse a pretty tough character? Aside from Damsels and the six-lined wrasse, can you recommend any other fish to go with these guys?

Geoff · 07-06-2006, 09:27 PM

six-lined wrasses are pretty tough little guys. they are also easy to keep. it would to better if it was added first with that group of caracters, but a good sized one should be able to hold its own.

in a 40g tank that may be it. not necessarily for bioload reasons, but territorial reasons.

G~

GordoB · 07-07-2006, 10:19 AM

Thanks again Geoff!