Start up

[glow=red, 2, 300]What are the best fish to start up and new 55g tank, and how meny will be needed??[/glow]

I am thinking of puting in at lest 2 Yellow tail Dansels.

 

Scuba,

Are you wanting a reef or fish only tank? That will help in answering this great question.

 

Fish only

 

If you want a very colorful and peaceful fish community, I would suggest the following:  

Fairy or Flasher Wrasses
Royal Gramma
Strawberry Psuedochromis
Percula Clown Fish

The total fish population should be around 6 or 7 fish to allow plenty of swim room and avoid overcrowding.  I would add 2 or 3 male wrasses first, then the Royal Gramma, then a pair of small Percula Clowns, and the the Strawberry Psuedochromis last. All these fish will be in the 3 - 5" range at maturity.

I would really shy away from those Yellow Tail Damsels as they are very territorrial and aggressive.  They will harrass all the fish in your tank and will be very difficult to remove.  They are the toughest fish ounce for ounce in the ocean IMHO.  inwall75 has even known a diver who was attacked by a damsel, yikes!

 

I think the above suggestions are very good. I am not a fan of damsels as there have been too many horror stories.

Isn't that funny about the diver. I can see a shark not being afraid of a diver. But wow---that was one mean damsel.

 

How do you tell the difference from male and female in the Wrasses?

 

The male wrasses are much more colorful than the females. In addition, they are larger. Get a good Flasher/Fairy Wrasse book at an LFS and have fun choosing from all the possibilities.

Check here for some starter information on male reef safe wrasses:

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/scateg.cfm?siteid=21&pCatId=1378

 

Flasher Wrasses are the genus Paracheilinus and Fairy Wrasses are the genus Cirrhilabrus.

 

Thanks for all the help, I have getten rid of the dansels, and ordered 50 lbs of live rock from the LFS ( he only had 2 rocks in his tank). [smiley=beer.gif]

 

You are on your way scuba! Thanks for keeping us posted. Post some pictures of your new acquisition!