Please help with a small fish list?

[harmonic]

I've done quite a bit of searching, but I think my lack of proper nomenclature is making it hard to get any results. If you guys could, please throw me the names of the smallest "reef safe" fishes you can think of. Also, again, if you could please note if any might be lunch for anemones. It doesn't seem like the list would be long, so I'm hoping I'm not asking for too much.

Gratefully, H.

[steve1s]

Good question, but it needs some additional info to recommend something properly.

Could you also include tank size, current fish inhabitants and any other relavent info about what you have and are trying to accomplish?

Cheers
Steve

[harmonic]

Hmm... I'll try and see what I can do, problem is much of the other info isn't known yet. I setup a 10g nanoreef/fowlr in mid March and ran into big probs toward the end of April. I lost my male maroon clown during the fiasco. The first time around, I put many, many hours of research into chemical and mechanical properties, and very little into livestock.

This time I want to plan my tank around the fish. "The tank" in question here is my desktop tank, which has been as small as 5g, and as large as a 20H. I'm thinking I'll go with a 15g this time - depending on the fish. I am open to 2 or 3 smaller fish, or a single species tank, which I would setup and decorate accordingly. I may want to try keeping a condy, say if the tank runs stable for at least 4 months. I am not interested in clownfish, lions, eels, ect. Another point that may help you recommend something is that I plan on going sparse with the LR, maybe 3 3lb - 4lb chunks. I have a prizm skimmer. Unfortunately, there is on room at all for a sump or 'fuge wher this tank is located.

I have no plans at the moment to try going full reef, but I do have reef lighting (55w10pc+2x15wActinicNO) for it. I would like to be able to add corals in the futre without displacing any fish.

As a side note, displacing is possible, I just would rather not do it. I have a 55gFOWLR running since March 8th, a two week old 35hexFO (no fish yet), and my wife and I will be starting a 75g FOWLR with intent to go full reef. We also have a 240g! But... it's in dad's basement. One of those "give it to ya if you haul it away" deals. Could be years before we get to it...

Anyway, thanks steve1s!

[steve1s]

Well if we are talking about the 15g then I would caution on the condy. It will get large enough to hog most of the room. You might be better with a few low light corals instead and then nothing would require displacing, just fragging and selling... 8)

As far as fish are concerned, you have a few choices...
Neon or Sharknose Goby (http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?siteid=21&pCatId=194)
Redhead Goby (http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?siteid=21&pCatId=202)
Firefish (http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?siteid=21&pCatId=168)
Bicolor Blenny (http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?siteid=21&pCatId=66)
You could also consider various types of decorative shrimp (http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/scateg.cfm?siteid=23&pCatId=525).

I believe that HoopsGuru (http://www.reeflounge.com/forum/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=86) is also keeping a Leaf Fish (http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?siteid=21&pCatId=238) in a 10g nano. You might want to inquire as to his success with that.

The options are limitless with a little inginuity, but hopefully these will give you a place to start...

Cheers
Steve

[harmonic]

Thanks. I am rather fond of gobies, which looks like a good thing here, 8) and I appreciate the "tank raised" reccomendations. I would rather not be responsible for having a wild fish yanked out of the ocean if i can help it.

I expected your word on the condy - I've done a lot of asking on these and have gotten so many varied replies, the gist of most being "If you can manage to keep one alive long enough for it to get that size then more power to ya". One more word never hurts, though. A few have said condys can reproduce in captivity, thus my consideration. I will certainly regard your caution on this animal. I have a very cautious attitude towards anemones in general.

Thanks again for the links. The neon gobies catch my eye, it would be great to get a pair so I can put more tank raised fish out on the market.