Peaceful small fish FOWLR, Help me decide!!

I recently set up a new 75G tank, I would like to do a FOWLR but instead of a few large fish, I want several smaller fish. I need help in compiling a list of all I can put in there peacefully.

NOTE- I've always wanted anthias, but in a FOWLR, is it possible and what else can I include with a group of 3 lyretails for example.

Open to all set up suggestions for a fowlr species list. Thanks All

 

I'd suggest a small school of bannana wrasses and then you might do well with the anthias!! They r all very pretty fish!!! Hope I could help!!! Good luck!!

 

Anthias can be very challenging.

Just a few fairly easy fish: Chromis, Yellowail Damsels, Clownfish, Firefish, Royal Grammas (jumpers though).

Good luck,

Jim

 

Got glass lids and a canopy so good on jumpers for the most part. I think chromis are reef dependent and I dont want any damsels for sure.

And hey woltman, I live in Lombard and work in naperville. If you know anyone with an HOB skimmer for sale, let me know

 

problem with anthias is that they require frequent feeds, like 3 times a day. This makes it more difficult in a reef tank, but IMO perfect for FOWLR tank. With anthias though you want to make sure they are eating well before you buy them. Most of them are deepwater species and have some difficulty acclimating to our tanks. It also depends on how they are caught....some bring them up slowly to prevent the fish from getting the bends, while others just puncture the swimbladder and this can often times cause the fish to not survive. So make sure they have been at the store for a while and see that they eat.

For my lyretails, I had an automatic feeder for some of the feedings. Mine loved the little marine chips from Instant Ocean and worked very well in the feeder. I then fed RODS at night.

If you are going fish only, i would do things like angels and butteflies.....things that us reefers cant keep in our tanks but would love to. As to the type, there are many to choose from........go to live aquaria or saltwaterfish.com and look around.

You could also do a schoal of anthias, schoal of cardinals like bangaii, and some firefish schoal....some red and purple!

Good luck and post lots of pictures

 

+1 on the wrasse suggestion

some very beautiful fish in the Wrasse family

the Halichoeres family for example
H Melanarus - Hoevens wrasse
H Iridis - radient wrasse
H Cladia - Christmas wrasse

but also Cirrilabrus family with the fairy wrasse

and also flasher wrasse from the Paracheilinus family , which again is full of very colorful fish species

Steve

 

hears whats going to be in my tank and its a 75 gallon

red fire fish x2
Hi Fin Red Banded Goby
Ocellaris Clownfish x2
Court Jester Goby
two spot goby
Scissortail Goby
blue/green reef chromis x3-4
yellow watchman goby

 

I think the banana wrasse is beautiful, can I keep more than just one species of wrasse in the tank? I'm thinkin now to do a schoal of Lyretail Anthias, on an auto feeder, one banana wrasse and maybe a smaller angelfish or butterfly, I would also like a bottom dweller like a diamond goby or something more attractive to keep the sand turned. hmmm

 

Can I keep more than one species of Anthias? I would love a borbounais, sorry dont know how to spell that.

 

As the lyretails grow you may have to move them out - 75 gallons is a bit small for a group of lyretails. They are quite aggressive, as anthias go. I have 3 in my 90 and may have to get rid of them in the near-ish future. The male is huge and loves to lay down the law on the females.

Wrasses are awesome for a community tank! Most you can mix fine, others don't mesh as well. I have two fairies and one flasher in my 90.

For a bottom dweller you could do a prawn goby with a snapping shrimp! That is a fun combo.

And grammas and basslets are awesome.