[jadof]

So, I've got my 55 gallon tank set up and I'm buying more live rock for it as well as looking to add a protein skimmer.

Livestock in tank:
Pair of Clowns
1 Purple firefish
1 Pistol shrimp (paired with firefish)
a cleaner shrimp
a fire shrimp
(Will also add about 5 snails and 2 hermits after I get more rock/protein skimmer)

What I'm looking at for my new citizens (AFTER I get up to speed with rock+ a skimmer) is either:

a Blackback Butterflyfish (leaning toward this guy most!)

a Fathead Anthias and a flame angel

a pair of Flame Angels

Has anyone kept any of these guys? how did they do in your tank? Were they active enough to be the main display of the tank? I will be buying these fish as babies, as to raise them.

Any input is appreciated!

 

[basketball2901]

well first off. ive never seen a pistol shrimp pair with a firefish. they only pair up with bottom delling gobies like hi fin gobies. if ur going to do a reef tank i would not get a flame angel as they can be hit or miss with eating ur corals and its just not worth the risk. other than that i like it. i think 3 bartletts anthias would look better than one fat head though

 

[basketball2901]

u will also need more than 5 snails. snails help alot and for a 55 gallon tank. i would get like 30 or 40. not all at once but over the course of time.

 

[jadof]

well first off. ive never seen a pistol shrimp pair with a firefish. they only pair up with bottom delling gobies like hi fin gobies. if ur going to do a reef tank i would not get a flame angel as they can be hit or miss with eating ur corals

Well ive never heard of it either but they are lol the pistol shrimp came with a goby pair, but he died shortly after he went in my tank (he looked bad should have never got him, but i thought the shrimp was cool). so about 3 months later i bought a purple fire fish and he took up living in the pistol shrimps dugout cove. They hang out together 24/7. And my tank is FOWLR tank so no worry on eating corals.

Any experience with blackback butterflyfish can be? ive read theyre good citizens normally.

 

[ynot65]

Flames can be aggressive, mine goes after my Firefish, I think he sees the red color and thinks its another flame. They should be fine in a FOWLR set up. My choice would be a snowflake eel!

 

[Marine Monkey]

1st you will not be able to put a pair of flame any
Gels in a tank that small also 55 might be to small
For the butterfly.... look up the eequirements for
butterflys on live aquaria

 

[jadof]

I have 2 encyclopedias that say min. 55 gallon. If I get the butterfly he'd basically be the only fish in the tank. I'm sure one would be find in the tank

 

[ynot65]

Then why ask? Min. Tank size 120gal. Do the research on each and everything you think about and save yourself a lot of headaches and $$$$. When I ask for people's opinion on something it's because I don't know the answer myself. Take in all the advise and then make your call, but don't just keep asking till you get the answer you want!

 

[jadof]

I ask not to see if I could get the fish but input from people who have kept that fish. I know the general but was looking for someone with experience keeping them. I'm not a impulse buyer by any means. Always doing research/comparing prices and swapping stories. But again thanks for your input all