Thinking of adding a new fish....which one????

steri · #1 01/04/2008, 09:25 AM

I have a Gift Card that's eating a hole in my wallet. I really want to buy a new fish, just for something new to look at in the tank. Here's the thing, it's gotta be at least mildly aggresive because if it's not, my pain in the butt dottyback will beat its @$$.

So this causes a problem for me, because immediately I starting looking at something like a small Niger Trigger, but I know they are not the most reef safe fish in the world.

Then I started thinking about something like a cowfish (I know the ups and downs of that guy too). My biggest concern with something like a boxfish is whether he would ever be fast enough to get away from a dottyback....but they just look so cool!

Then I started thinking about wrasses. I have a blue sided wrasse, who has no problem out running my dottyback. I may go that route, but I already have a wrasse, so......

Can anyone help me out with ideas (under the $100 area)?

Whatever I got, I plan to get a small one. I'm not too concerned with what they will grow too because my tank is getting upgraded this year at some point.

Any help is much appreciated.

Mostly, I have a soft reef (leathers, xenia, shrooms, kenya tree, ect with some Frogspwn, Hammer, and a Pink Bird's Nest).

N3gative Cr33p · #2 01/04/2008, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by steri
So this causes a problem for me, because immediately I starting looking at something like a small Niger Trigger, but I know they are not the most reef safe fish in the world.

This would be my first choice, IF I had a larger fish tank, anyway...

steri · #3 01/04/2008, 09:42 AM

Ya, I saw a smaller one earlier this week at a LFS, and dang near bought it. I really like these guys....A LOT, but I am already risking things having two "with caution" angels in my tank. I worry if I got a trigger I would just be pushing my luck.

But ya, I just love the look of Niger Triggers!

sh0tyme83 · #4 01/04/2008, 09:48 AM

What about a tang?

Engine 7 · #5 01/04/2008, 09:53 AM

I have a niger trigger in my reef and have not had any problems with him. It looks like your 75 gallon tank is almost overstocked already. Adding a fish like a niger trigger might put it over the top. Overcrowding causes aggression. Buying a small fish is fine if you dont feed them or expect them to grow. They grow if kept properly and become large, especially triggers.
Always look "down the road".

steri · #6 01/04/2008, 10:14 AM

I already have a tang, and went through the ich stage because of him. Don't feel like going through that hassle again.

Engine, I agree. I thought about getting a smaller type of fish, but I didn't know what I could get that was smaller, that would be fine with my dottyback. Any thoughts there? If there was a small goby or something that would be okay with my dotty, I would be cool with that!

steri · #7 01/04/2008, 10:16 AM

I know triggers get large, but I figured if I did get a trigger, he wouldn't out grow my tank by the time I moved into a bigger tank (looking at something like a 125 or a 180). I'm looking to get a bigger tank later this year.

goat585 · #8 01/04/2008, 10:20 AM

I just put a blue jaw trigger in my reef and I am glad I did. He is kinda of shy but he hold his own with my more aggressive fish. He has not touched any coral. I would get something small and when it gets bigger it will give you a reason to get a bigger tank.

sh0tyme83 · #9 01/04/2008, 10:23 AM

sorry Steri, I didn't notice your signature with your fish listed, what about a hawkfish? They are supposed to have some very weird personalities.

steri · #10 01/04/2008, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sh0tyme83
sorry Steri, I didn't notice your signature with your fish listed, what about a hawkfish? They are supposed to have some very weird personalities.

I don't know a lot about Hawkfish. What is their temperment like? Do they need a lot of pods to live successfully? I have a decent amount, but my firefish like to eat them when they see them.

killagoby · #11 01/04/2008, 10:36 AM

How's about this crab?

steri · #12 01/04/2008, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by killagoby
How's about this crab?

LMAO

goat585 · #13 01/04/2008, 10:57 AM

I have a flamehawk but not in my reef and he eats rod's food and flakes. The only thing I heard about hawkfish is that they may go after shrimps (cleaners, etc).

sh0tyme83 · #14 01/04/2008, 11:11 AM

check out Live Aquaria. They have a variety of them. It says they may go after smaller shrimps.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/scateg.cfm?pCatId=34

saleenpwr88 · #15 01/04/2008, 11:14 AM

I second, or third the flame hawk. He is my favorite fish. Doesn't "swim" alot but he is always perching out in the open. He always seems to be looking around all the time. Hasn't bothered my coral banded shrimp either, but I haven't tried any peps., he might grab those.

-=Efrain=- · #16 01/04/2008, 11:16 AM

I have got a really nice Hawkfish and he eats Rods and anything else I put in the tank. He leaves all shrimps alone..
BTW I have a really sweet Flame Angel I am selling..

Here is a pic of the Flame Hawk.

steri · #17 01/04/2008, 11:25 AM

So I read up on the Flame hawks and long nosed hawks. Personally, I kinda like the long nosed hawks, but the flames are cool too. Does anyone have one of those housed with any shrimp? I have cleaner and fire shrimp and really would not want them to become an expensive snack.

That and the cleaner has become a huge asset to my tank. All the fish know where he is at all times and use his skills regularly. I wouldn't want to risk losing him.

reefhead165 · #18 01/04/2008, 12:27 PM

i would go with a flame hawk

badazztealcobra · #19 01/04/2008, 12:51 PM

I vote for a blue throat trigger.....

Or Im sure Cr33p would be MORE than happy to give you a sapphire blue damsel.

N3gative Cr33p · #20 01/04/2008, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by badazztealcobra
Or Im sure Cr33p would be MORE than happy to give you a sapphire blue damsel.

Nope... he's destined to be flushed down my toilet... whether it's dead or alive.

mnestroy · #21 01/04/2008, 02:11 PM

How about one of these?

60bux

350bux

steri · #22 01/04/2008, 02:51 PM

No thanks on the damsel or the octopus. I appreciate the ideas though....no matter how unrealistic they may be

I may get a small trigger. Maybe a hawk. Oh the choices. Maybe I should call over to Ocean's Floor and see what they have or will have this weekend

msu spartan · #23 01/04/2008, 08:51 PM

i had a flame hawk, it was cool. i like the longnoses too

i would go with the niger trigger

100 posts!!

kimoy · #24 01/04/2008, 11:53 PM

How about getting a Mandarin? or maybe get another percula to pair your existing one.

steri · #25 01/07/2008, 12:39 PM

So, I ended up getting a purple firefish. I found one for (can you believe this) $24.50! Ya, that was just too good of a deal to pass up. I know he's a wimp next to my dottyback, but I figured he would be fast enough to run away, or hide in a cave, or he would just school with my other 2 firefish.

Unfortunately he does not seem as interested in hiding in caves when frightened the way my other firefish do. He is leaving himself more suseptible to being picked on, but he is doing okay. Oddly enough, it seems like my angels protect him when they see the dottyback chase after him.

He's eating well. That good.

He doesn't take up much room, and adds a little different color. I thought he was a good pickup, especially for that price! It was either that or a red wrasse for $50.