What fish to add first?!?!

[9supratt4]

I can't decide on whether I want to add a Bellus Angel or 3 Fiji Lyretail Anthias to my 180. I know I want to add them both, but which should I add first? Or better yet....which would YOU add first and why?

 

[rodclement]

I would go with the angel just becuase I always wanted one! ;D

Rod

 

[mnat]

While I agree with rod that angels are beautiful (especially the angel) you might want to add the anthias first. The rule of thumb is add the least aggressive/territorial fishes first. If you add them first, they will setup their territory and can attack other "invading" fish. How big is the tank? Is there anything else in there? Is it cycled? Also, you want to make sure your tank is doing well and can handle fish before you add more delicate (and expensive) fish.

 

[njhcnwk]

FWIW: My Bellus Angel isn't territorial or aggressive at all. She spends the day just swimming the tank and loves to play around in the rockwork. I've yet to see it harrass any tankmates. i've only had it for a few weeks though.

 

[9supratt4]

While I agree with rod that angels are beautiful (especially the angel) you might want to add the anthias first. The rule of thumb is add the least aggressive/territorial fishes first. If you add them first, they will setup their territory and can attack other "invading" fish. How big is the tank? Is there anything else in there? Is it cycled? Also, you want to make sure your tank is doing well and can handle fish before you add more delicate (and expensive) fish.

I understand that...but I already have fish that are territorial. The rock and sand in my tank are 2 years old...the tank is a few months due to my last one breaking

I have a sailfin tang, blonde naso tang, magnificent foxface, Bi-color Blenny, 2 Chalk bass, 3 blue/green chromis, 2 Oscellaris clowns. The tank is a 180 mixed reef....heavy on the SPS, but also have LPS and zoos. So no worries on handling the fish ;D But thanks for making sure!! I have come across many people who can't handle or add fish at the wrong time and then wonder why the fish didn't make it.

It seems like the concensus is that the Bellus Angel wins...LOL. I have also heard that it is very hard to keep anthias alive.

 

[Brando457]

Do a shark

 

[mnat]

After seeing what is in your tank first, I agree the angel is the choice. Did not know if you meant first as in no other fish in the tank.

 

[9supratt4]

After seeing what is in your tank first, I agree the angel is the choice. Did not know if you meant first as in no other fish in the tank.

After I hit post....I realized that they way it was written would probably be confusing LOL

 

[9supratt4]

Do a shark

Come on Brandon....that's got to wait for my 400 LOL

 

[9supratt4]

I finally found one I like!! I ordered the Bellus!!!

 

[kason42]

orange spotted anthias..red sand in dunellon...pricey though :'(

 

[9supratt4]

The Bellus should be here on Tuesday!! So excited!!!!

I will now be looking into a trio of Fiji Lyretail Anthias. That will finish out all my fish. Then it's just going to be maintance and growing out my corals!!

 

[kason42]

That's a nice fish . Btw, I didn't mean an orange spotted anthias...I meant yellow spotted.