school time

[Dargason]

I'm considering stocking options for my 200g reef tank. I'd like to put at least one school of fish in it -- I was thinking of chromises or anthias. Are there other choices? Does anyone have suggestions here?

The other fish are/will be basically peaceful inhabitants, such as a regal tang, coral beauty, clownfish, goby, etc.

Thanks!
Mike

 

[Bubafat]

Although in nature I've seen anthias's school, I've never seen them school in tanks. My old LFS i worked at had a 450 gallon tank with a bunch of them and they never schooled. If i were you, go with a bunch of chromis's, but make sure you quarenteen them first, they just seem to have a VERY high die off rate (like 50% almost).

Buba

 

[Anonymous]

I think I have heard of some type of wrasse that will school really well in larger systems. The Creole wrasse maybe?


Glenn

 

[NaH2Ofreak]

There are two types of chromis' for sale. Some of the small, weaker ones are like three bucks. The larger, more robust, more healthy and colorful ones are from Fiji and they are like eight bucks. I have found that the more expensive ones ARE really better. IMO!!!!

Also...how about a school of bangaii cardinals?

Dennis

 

[hectina]

If you don't have too many fish, a group of three hippo tangs may school. I have a school of chromis, and sometimes wish they were more colorful.

 

[Dargason]

I've read that bangaii's won't school when they're older, but I don't have experience with them.

Actually, I've considered getting 3 hippo tangs. The one have have is very small, maybe only 1 inch, and he was with 2 others just like him at the LFS. I'm just worried that they'll out grow my tank or won't school anymore once I add some of the other fish I want. He's a great fish though! Very friendly.

 

[Dargason]

I've done a bit more searching, but of course results tend to be mixed/confusing. I found the following:

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote

If color is a prerequisite for your next fish purchase then this fish has it. The Halichoeres chrysus commonly called yellow coris or banana wrasse, gets its name from the bright, lemon yellow color throughout it's body. It comes from the Western Pacific and has a maximum size just under five inches. It is well suited for tanks 30 gallons and up. Small schools of 3-5 individuals can be placed in larger aquariums. The golden wrasse feeds on small meaty foods, including mysis shrimp, bloodworms, chopped clam and dried foods as well. Although it is a nice reef fish... be cautious of placing it with feather worms and small crabs, it may eat them. But as a side bonus... the golden wrasse will eat bristle worms and pyramidellid snails that prey on clams. This fish will bury in fine sand, so keep 2-3 inches of substrate.

I already have one of these in my 20 gallon, but I'm a little concerned about what he might do to my DSB. If he really does school with conspecifics, however, I'd be willing to risk it. He's really beautiful! Does anyone have experience with these fish? Can you comment on reef compatibility?

 

[Dargason]

Doesn't anyone else have one of these? They are common at my LFS, and quite beautiful!

 

[Anonymous]

I had one until it went carpet surfing. Other than that it was a great little fish. Always up front, poking around the rocks, great tank mate to the others. The only "fly in the ointment" is I suspect him of eating my pepermint shrimp.

When the light went low he would start at the top of the tank and dive into the sand bed for the night so make sure it's deep enough. Mine is approx 4 inches.

-Greg