Thinking of adding another group of small fish...

[ChrisRD]

...to my 180 FOWLR.

I'm considering a group of Pseudanthias squampinnis, but the tank already contains a group of 13 Chromis viridis. Interested in others' experiences with this mix. Also interested in opinions on whether it's best to add 1 male + female group, or just add all females and allow one to morph...

Another thought was a small group of Chrysiptera parasema. Anyone have experience with a group of these guys in a large tank?

Apogon leptacanthus seems like another good possibility although I'm not as impressed with their appearance...

Other tanks residents:
2 - Amphiprion ocellaris
1 - Centropyge bispinosus
1 - Acanthurus pyroferus
1 - Ctenochaetus strigosus
1 - Lo uspae
1 - Chaetodon auriga

 

[jhemdal1]

I've got P. squampinnis and green chromis in the same tank - 500 gallons with perhaps a dozen of each at the start. They pretty much ignore each other. Are Bartlett's too expensive? They hold their color so much better - I think there is less male/female issues with them as well.

Jay

 

[ChrisRD]

Thanks for your response - going to look into the Bartletts...

Any other experiences/advice? Matt? Jim?

 

[Anonymous]

Anthias are a group of fishes that I have very little direct experience with.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your response - going to look into the Bartletts...

Any other experiences/advice? Matt? Jim?

I typed up a long response but felt it best to leave it out. The tank we have with mixed shoals of C. viridis and P. squamipinnis is very large--20k gallons--so I don't know what kind of extrapolation you can take from that. They largely leave each other alone. We also have a 2k gallon holding tank with pretty densely packed shoals of C. ternatensis and P. squamipinnis that ignore each other.

Like Jay hinted at I think the intraspecific aggression with the anthias may be a bigger issue. Some females will change into males on their own, but you may not want that to happen in such a small space. Several females trying to do it at the same time may result in a lot of fighting, whereas one clearly defined male may keep the peace by intimidation a little better. It's always tough to predict what will happen.

 

[ChrisRD]

OK - if I try the anthias I'll probably do the Bartlett's and add one male with a bunch of females...

 

[ChrisRD]

Any opinions on the Apogon leptacanthus or Chrysiptera parasema group? My guess is the latter would just end-up as a single mated pair with a few disappearances, eh?

How about Pomacentrus alleni? Anyone have experience with a group of them? Likely the same end result as C. parasema?

Thanks for all responses to far...

 

[Anonymous]

Any opinions on the Apogon leptacanthus or Chrysiptera parasema group? My guess is the latter would just end-up as a single mated pair with a few disappearances, eh?

How about Pomacentrus alleni? Anyone have experience with a group of them? Likely the same end result as C. parasema?

Thanks for all responses to far...

A. leptacanthus has been pretty touchy and shy for us. A. sealei or A. compressus would be miles better for an active bold fish that comes out during the daytime IMO. We have 10 A. sealei in a 125g bare holding tank and they recently started mouth brooding. Go figure!

C. parasema tends to pair up like you say, but you may be able to do more than one pair.

Have you thought about zebra gobies, Ptereleotris zebra? They are dirt cheap and common but the adult coloration is spectacular. The courting displays are interesting to watch as well.

 

[ChrisRD]

Do Ptereleotris zebra need a sand bottom or are they OK with no substrate?

 

[Anonymous]

Do Ptereleotris zebra need a sand bottom or are they OK with no substrate?

They don't need one. A flat rock with a bit of space underneath will serve them fine.

 

[Anonymous]

This is a great shot of a displaying adult. They will do this all day long. Note the expanded pelvic fins and the extended chin thingamajig.

 

[ChrisRD]

Definitely interested in adding a group of these now... ...need to do a bit of research.

Thanks Matt!