Want A Small "school" Of Fish

[parker313]

I am looking at my stocking list and trying to decide what I want. I have a 55g tank with lr filtration and a 10g sump with skimmer.

Here's what I have:
Clownfish (ocellaris - about 1.5 - 2")
Lawnmower Blenny
Citron Goby

Number one (probably) will be to get a small clown to go with my current one.

I would like a small "school" of something (like 3 or 4 fish) but I know some fish are very particular about being single species, mated pairs, harems, etc.

I love the cardinalfish - either Banggai or Pajama and the Blue Green Chromis sure are pretty too (basic, I know but that doesn't matter). What are my other options here?

I would also like to maybe get a Yellow Watchman Goby with a shrimp buddy - would that be OK with the blenny?

Other ideas for stocking? Right now, I am FOWLR but will be upgrading to reef at some point so I definitely want to keep that in mind.

I also have an urchin.

 

[ben1987]

cardinals more over than swim, so arent the most active interesting fish.

chromis are nice, but you have to feed them really often or they pick each other off weakest first!

 

[-Nemo-]

School of cardinals can be tricky, at least with the bangaiis, I'm not too sure about the pajamas. Many times with the bangaiis the males will fight to the death...

 

[parker313]

School of cardinals can be tricky, at least with the bangaiis, I'm not too sure about the pajamas. Many times with the bangaiis the males will fight to the death...

From liveaquaria.com:

For the best care, the Spotted Cardinalfish should be kept in small schools in suitably sized aquariums of at least 30 gallons. Because the Spotted Cardinalfish is a slow and methodical swimmer, it should be housed with peaceful tankmates and offered a plethora of hiding places amongst rockwork or plants. Most Spotted Cardinalfish will tend to hide in sea grass or other plants. Some may also camouflage themselves against long spined sea urchins.

I thought of them b/c I thought they might like to hide with my urchin

I will do more research about the appropriate size tank for about 3 or 4 of the pajama cardinals...

Assuming that's OK, here's what I'm thinking about:
Ocellaris clowns x2
Lawnmower blenny
Citron Goby
Yellow Watchman Goby +shrimp
Pajama Cardinal x3-4
Canary Wrasse

Any thoughts on that?

 

[parker313]

From fishprofiles.com:

Temperament: Peaceful; These cardinalfish will not bother most tankmates or each other. Though they maintain a social hierarchy, they are not aggressive towards each other like the Banggai cardinalfish. Do not house pajama cardinals with large predators, as they are easy prey fish.

Small shrimp may be looked on as food items by larger cardinals.
Diet: Carnivore; Wild pajama cardinals feed on small crustaceans at night. In captivity they will accept most meaty frozen foods and sometimes even flakes or pellets, though live mysis shrimp and amphipods are preferred. As these fish are nocturnal, they are not always willing to accept food during the daytime. Housing them with diurnal tankmates who are aggressive feeders may mean that the cardinals have to be fed at night or during a "twilight" period.
Care: Pajama cardinals are easy fish to care for. They are hardy, handle transportation well, and will eat a variety of things. They will feel secure if provided with ample rockwork, and soon get used to aquarium life. It is best to keep these fish in groups of at least five, as they are social.

 

[ben1987]

dont listed to sites selling fish...like live aquaria. They are a business after all.

i have heard of Pajama cardinals being fine in groups. But bangais are a bit more agressive and best as pairs.

 

[seffieuk]

Oh but they are just soooo boring, all they do is just 'hang' there at least the chromis swim all over and are active

Seffie x

Your over the pond, have you though about a flasher wrasse harem - we can't get them over here for love nor money but understand you can

 

[parker313]

I had thought about that, and might go for it if I could be assured of the proper m/f ratio. I pretty much only have ONE fish store locally that sells salties - anything else is at least a 1.5 hr drive. I haven't been up there yet, but will hit them up next Weds (they're only open Weds - Sat and my husband has tomorrow and Monday off and I don't think he's interested in going up there)...

From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer:

Notes

This fish often does best when housed with members of its own kind. Group members will set up a pecking order, with the largest individual being the most dominant. Fortunately, ­aggressive exchanges within a social group usually consist of the occasional chase or nudge.
Color variant.
Color variant.

If you are hoping to acquire a male and female, it has been reported that males have a longer filament on the second dorsal fin than females (this has not been confirmed by ­internal examination). They usually ignore other fish species, although they may exhibit some mild aggression toward other cardinalfishes.
Reference: 101 Best Saltwater Fishes

 

[parker313]

Now, I'm also reading that wrasses are like clownfish and if I get a group of juvies, then one will automatically become the dominant male... That might be a possibility...

 

[seffieuk]

How cool would that be

Seffie x

ps you have got a lid haven't you?

 

[parker313]

LOL, yes. Don't want any carpet surfing going on!

 

[steelhealr]

Hey Parker...I"ve had a singular banggai. I agree that they are not the mostinteresting fish with regards to activity, but, they ARE a sight to see. I think that you will always risk some aggression when trying to put a school together under close quarters. I would speak to the LFS and see if you will have an out to return 1 or 2 but then again...catching a fish in a marine tank is a challenge.

Unfortunately, territoriality is the way of the land on the reef vs pelagic schooling. Fish on the reef pick an area and hang and protect it. Pelagics' only defense in the open ocean is the confusion of the school. Let us know what you chose. SH

PS: My singel banggai WAS aggressive at times, especially during feeding.

PS..what about a Midas over a lawnmower? SH

 

[shibby]

Your over the pond, have you though about a flasher wrasse harem - we can't get them over here for love nor money but understand you can

i agree with this! would look nice. we hardly ever see females in england which is a shame!