What is the best "open water" swimming fish for a 90g reef?

ToTaLCHaoS13 · #1 10/20/2006, 03:45 PM

I have great fish in it already but they all swim in and around the rocks constantly. What fish could/should I get that would swim more out in the open space?

TWallace · #2 10/20/2006, 03:50 PM

Anthias, any species.

xlayedoutx · #3 10/20/2006, 04:25 PM

I'd say a school of Green Chromis

rommelgin · #4 10/20/2006, 04:28 PM

i would go with a school of dispar anthias.

AVALover5498 · #5 10/20/2006, 05:00 PM

Definantly antheis...one of my favorites!!!!

AVALover5498 · #6 10/20/2006, 05:03 PM

Anthias

WetSleeves · #7 10/20/2006, 05:27 PM

I wouldn't put more than one anthias in a tank that size but anthias and chromis are both very good fish for what you want to do. their swimming behavior will encourage their tankmates to come out of the rock work too.

TWallace · #8 10/20/2006, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by WetSleeves
I wouldn't put more than one anthias in a tank that size but anthias and chromis are both very good fish for what you want to do. their swimming behavior will encourage their tankmates to come out of the rock work too.

I've got 2 Anthias in my 55 and they get along fine. The male occasionally chases the female to show her who's boss, but she's never beat up and her fins always look to be in great shape. Mine are Pseudanthias truncatus, I don't know if other species are more prone to conspecific violence.

WetSleeves · #9 10/20/2006, 07:09 PM

It's best to have several if you're going to go with more than one. They're not particularly aggressive fish but they do defend their pecking order as TWallace pointed out. They spread out the aggression if theres more. I just wouldn't want to do too many in an average sized tank so I suggested one.

My 6 lyretails were great in a 210 until a feeding mishap while I was overseas.

Whether you go with anthias or chromis I would recommend an automatic feeder or have them hand fed several times a day. They like frequent feedings. Not to say you can't feed them 1-2 times a day, but it's not optimal.

They do a great job filling empty space.

dandy7200 · #10 10/20/2006, 07:37 PM

[/B]

That is one of the most unique aquascapes I have ever seen! Good job wetsleeves. give me a link to a thread with a little more info please

Chaos, have you considered anthias?

WetSleeves · #11 10/20/2006, 07:51 PM

Give me an hour. I'll make a thread in the large tank forum.

dandy7200 · #12 10/20/2006, 07:55 PM

ToTaLCHaoS13 · #13 10/20/2006, 08:09 PM

what about butterflyfish or tangs?

Earl45 · #14 10/20/2006, 08:18 PM

get a pictilis anthias

few people have them and they are quite attractive.

WetSleeves · #15 10/20/2006, 08:34 PM

Quote:

That is one of the most unique aquascapes I have ever seen! Good job wetsleeves. give me a link to a thread with a little more info please

Chaos, have you considered anthias?

[/B]

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...25#post8382825

ToTaLCHaoS13 · #16 10/21/2006, 05:50 PM

Well, I appreciate all the advice but I ended up getting a Sohol Tang. Beautiful fish and after talking to a few local experts I'm sure it will provide some additional open water action I am looking for.

WetSleeves · #17 10/21/2006, 08:20 PM

These experts weren't by any chance the same people that sold you the fish were they?

ToTaLCHaoS13 · #18 10/21/2006, 09:22 PM

Nope. And I use the term expert loosely...

That's not to say I don't trust the lfs owners and workers that I have know for years, but I understand the comment.

WetSleeves · #19 10/21/2006, 09:56 PM

OK. As long as you know what you're getting into.

dandy7200 · #20 10/21/2006, 10:03 PM

Fishio grande!

yetti · #21 10/21/2006, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ToTaLCHaoS13
Well, I appreciate all the advice but I ended up getting a Sohol Tang. Beautiful fish and after talking to a few local experts I'm sure it will provide some additional open water action I am looking for.

Too small of a tank for one of those according to all of the research I've been doing on fish to go in my 150g.

ToTaLCHaoS13 · #22 10/21/2006, 10:09 PM

The concern about tank size is one I also had. After months of research and posting on Reef Central I believe it is ok in a 90 with plenty of open swimming space. I am certain you would not have an issue in a 150 as I have seen that before.

One think you MUST do is introduce multiple tangs to your tank at the same time if you plan to have more than one. They do not handle "new tang friends" well at all!

xcreonx · #23 10/22/2006, 12:38 AM

Just some stats from live aquaria to consider before keeping the Sohal in the 90g. Take them for what you will.

Max size in aquarium, 1' 4"
Temper: Aggressive
Min tank size: 180g

"Because of its aggression factor and size, this fish should only be kept by an experienced aquarist with a large reef tank."

ToTaLCHaoS13 · #24 10/22/2006, 08:37 AM

Again I appreciate the concern, but like many things in this hobby there is a ton of information and it is typically someones opinion, not "fact". Here are the stats for a Sohol from MarineDepotLive.com:

Maximum Size: the Acanthurus sohal grows up to 12 inches.
Minimum Tank Size: The Sohal Tang prefers a tank of at least 100 gallons with plenty of places to hide & swim.
General Notes: Acanthurus sohal or the Sohal Tang is the most common imported fish from the Red Sea. It's attractive coloration makes it an excellent addition providing you take some extra care to adhere to it's requirements. The Sohal Tang is one of the most aggressive fish in it's genus. It is not unusual for this bully to terrorize and kill other fish in the tank that may compete with it's food source including all other tangs, parrotfish, many wrasses and triggers. It is believed that the caudal spines, which are very large, may be venomous. The Sohal Tang does not hesitate to use these viscious weapons.

Obviously this is not a fish you should buy on a whim. As with all purchases, do your research first and them make a decision you can live with...

rdmpe · #25 10/22/2006, 08:37 AM

I'd go with a yellow eye kole tang, they stay smaller IME...