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Centerpiece Fish

Hi everyone, I recently set up another tank and am looking for a centerpiece fish. It is a 4 foot tank and my rockwork is kept to a minimum so that there is a lot of room for my fish to swim and the coral to grow. If you have any suggestions for a fish please let me know. Here are my criteria.
- it must be between 5-8”
- I like the larger body styles like tangs have
- contradictory to my last statement: no tangs please. Most people disagree and say the smaller ones are fine in that size tank but I don’t think so.
- reef safe, or at least for the most part. A little nipping is fine but nothing that will kill my corals (mostly SPS) or majorly effect polyp extension.
Thanks guys


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Regal angel, copperband butterfly, onespot foxface


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Do you think a foxface is okay in that size tank? I assumed their activity was similar to tangs so I crossed it off my list.


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Do you think a foxface is okay in that size tank? I assumed their activity was similar to tangs so I crossed it off my list.


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Onespots are better suited for smaller tanks, I have one in my 4’ 90 gallon. Websites recommend a 70+ gallon tank


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horseplay

NJRC Member
Very personal question and you will get a lot of answers. To me centerpiece fish is a fish that I will build my whole tank around. If it eats acropora then I will grow acropora for it to eat. I tend to like the rare and difficult species but my interests have changed over the years. How far do you want to go to keep your centerpiece alive and thriving? A few of my current interests that are suitable for a 4’ tank: a trio of multibarred angelfish, trio of venustus angelfish, trio of Pygmy angelfish, Harem of royal grammas. Pair of orange spotted filefish.
 
Very personal question and you will get a lot of answers. To me centerpiece fish is a fish that I will build my whole tank around. If it eats acropora then I will grow acropora for it to eat. I tend to like the rare and difficult species but my interests have changed over the years. How far do you want to go to keep your centerpiece alive and thriving? A few of my current interests that are suitable for a 4’ tank: a trio of multibarred angelfish, trio of venustus angelfish, trio of Pygmy angelfish, Harem of royal grammas. Pair of orange spotted filefish.

I want a single fish that when you walk by is the first one to draw your attention. A fish that is bigger, has a unique body shape or a very flashy color. I would love something like a purple or even yellow eye kole but I think a four foot tank isn’t fair to them, or any tang for that matter.


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mnat

Officer Emeritus
Staff member
Moderator
A big old wrasse would look awesome in there and be reef safe. Look at the anampses wrasses. They are bigger but are stunners (lennardi, feminus). Also if you want a bit smaller but awesome, get a pair of flasher wrasses, they are stunning when they flash.
 
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