Good pairs/groups for a 4 foot 200 g

[dascharisma]

I am planning on upgrading to a 48x36x30 tank. I want to have a number of small reef safe fish that will live in pairs or groups. I am looking for suggestions. I already have 5 chromis a purple fire fish, and a scooter blenny. I have considered adding a pair of black clowns. I have heard mixed reviews on adding a group of fire fish to the tank. Any opinions on that? I would like another scooter blenny or a pair of mandarins, but am unsure on the combatibility.

Can anyone come up with a good stocking list, that fits the goal of having a number of pairs and groups that will all get along?

[Andrew]

Pair of black clowns would work. Might want to add 3-4 more chromis. Not sure if the ones you have now will fight with the new ones or not.

[perky]

If you want a pair of mandarins you will need a lot of live rock. a fuge will be vital for their long term survival. Also, get a helfrich's firefish. they are much nicer IMO. Get an adult orange shoulder tang maybe.

perky

[dascharisma]

Any other suggestions for some good pairs or groups?

[csammis]

I would skip the mandarins if you're planning on keeping the scooter blenny. Mandarins and scooters are conspecifics (both dragonets) and will fight with each other, not to mention compete with each other for food.

[dascharisma]

Thanks for the heads up csammis. I have actually heard that mandarins and scooter blennies would get along fine. I realize that they will compete for the same food source, but i have heard that the scooter will tolerate other male scooters in a tank larger than 55 gallons. I have also read that scooters and mandarins will ignore each other. Does anyone know for sure?

[csammis]

I've heard reports that go either way. Sometimes scooters and mandarins will ignore each other, sometimes they will fight. In my opinion, if you suspect there might be trouble in the tank it's better to avoid it.

[dascharisma]

Well, if the mandarins are out, how about a second scooter? Would it be possible to get my current scooter a mate?

Any other suggestions? Is there a good group (5-6) of wrasses that would not be too much for the tank?

[csammis]

As long as there's enough food, there should be no problem with introducing another scooter blenny. I would try to make sure that they're of opposite sex, males may fight with each other.

For other fish, how about zebra dartfish (sometimes called zebra dart gobies)? They school, they're peaceful, they've been known to spawn in captivity, and a group of four or five would look pretty cool