I want one more fishy...

[Jnicho]

Hey guys I'm interested in your opinions on the following two questions:

I have a 55G reef tank; LPS & softies, tube anemone, shrimps, hermits, snails & a brittle star. Fish are comprised of a small yellow tang, 4 chromis and a royal gramma. I also have a 55G sump that runs almost full (I designed it that way to maximize my water volume) making my total water volume somewhere between 90-100G. So, first question; based upon my current bio-load, tank size and total water volume would you add another fish to this setup?

Secondly, I have always wanted a flame, bi-color or coral beauty angel, but I have heard so many coral munching stories that I'm afraid to add one. So, assuming we are in agreement that one more fish is OK, what would you suggest as an alternative to the dwarf angels above?

Thanks in advance for you input!

BTW...tank is almost 6 months old and all readings are stable with ammonia, NO3, NO4, phos etc. reading 0

[Eric65]

A six line wrasse would be my choice. Very active swimmers that will help keep some pests in check.

[chrischris]

well it all depends on your skimmer
what kind is your skimmer?
is it rated over your total system volume?
the thing is you can have as many fish as you want if you have the skimmer big enough to handle it and you do a lot of water changes
but i think another small fish would be ok
are you wanting another dwarf angel or another fish?

[OneDummHikk]

Originally Posted by chrischris

the thing is you can have as many fish as you want if you have the skimmer big enough to handle it and you do a lot of water changes

And the tank is large enough to provide proper swimming room and hiding places for them

[snow_man84088]

I would vote Flame Angel!

[ckusnierek]

a flame would be safer then a bi color.

Keep in mind when choosing fish it's not about water volume it's about tank size and a Yellow Tang WILL eventually out grow a 55. Personally I would not put one in my 75 for this reason....

I few other "good" choices for fish are:
wrasse (many types, I have a Solar Head and love him)
Clowns....
Belnnies
Gobies
Anthias
Hawk Fish
Psudochromis
Cardnials

Personally I would go with the Cards...

Also I hope you left enough room in the sump in case of a power failure. my 75 siphions about 15g into the tump when I shut off the return pump

[Hardhead Cat]

I wouldn't recommend putting any hawkfish or most wrasses with the shrimp and crabs. They will eat them right away! I think you could try a flame or rock beauty dwarf angel, they are about 50/50 with coral aggression, some of them are great and some munch on polyps. I have 2 dwarf angels (bi-color and rock beauty) and they are well-behaved so far.

Clowns are fine but maroon clowns and gold-banded maroons are the most aggressive. Any type of goby or blenny would also be okay.

Good luck, let us know what you decide on!
HHC

P.S. The only type of truly safe reef wrasse that won't eat your shrimp/crabs are fairy wrasses, some six-line wrasses and cleaner wrasses. Be cautious if you select a wrasse for your new inhabitant!

[WilyGuy]

I have a Coral Beauty and I got it small and it is decently fed, so it has never nipped my corals. I don't have clams (I understand that Clam Mantles are a different ballgame)

[DarthOcellaris]

personally, I wouldn't get anything else in that small of a tank. You're pushing the limits as it is with that yellow tang IMO.

[jadefox]

IMO/IME, I really only trust angels from the genus Genicanthus in a reef tank. Even the smallest of those (some are only six inches as adults, although they are not true dwarf angels), however, would not have sufficient swimming room in a 55-gallon IMO. I'd consider a Carpenter's flasher wrasse (or a small group of them IF you have sufficient skimming capability). A pair of Banggai Cardinals would be super cool (please only but tank-raised unless you are serious about breeding them). An orchid pseudochromis could be coooooool, but they can be bad eggs (read bullies). What a about a pair of blue stripe neon gobies? Not only would they look cool, but the are cleaner gobies too! Finally, you could go with a Midas Blenny 'cause they are just so darn beautiful and active. Good luck, and keep us posted!

[jadefox]

oh yea....I'd trade out the Yellow Tang too as others have suggested. He'll need at least a 75 gallon tank IMO.

[chrischris]

Originally Posted by OneDummHikk

And the tank is large enough to provide proper swimming room and hiding places for them

forgot that sorry

[chrischris]

well in my opinion (like others have said) trade in the yellow tang and get some Anthias like lyratails(spelled wrong) or some other type they add great color to the aquarium and are very active

[Jnicho]

Originally Posted by jadefox

oh yea....I'd trade out the Yellow Tang too as others have suggested. He'll need at least a 75 gallon tank IMO.

Thanks to all for the opinions/suggestions! I have some good ideas to work with.

I may upgrade tanks in the not too distant future...A 75 is the same as a 55 except 6 inches deeper front to back, right? Since both the 55 & 75 are 48", in order to comfortably keep the tang down the road, wouldn't I need to go bigger (like 90G+) for the extra length?

Thanks again!

[chrischris]

well i 6 foot tank would be the best for a tang in the long run but a 90 would be the only 4 foot tank id keep a tang in