A fish to start with

[waveflow]

Considering I'm setting up a 65-gallon saltwater reef tank, I was wondering what you all would recommend as a good first fish.

[fleeton]

Clownfish get a bad rep, but honestly, they're solid for a first fish.

[Flare9]

My chromis were actually my first fish, super entertaining to watch, I'd definitely recommend them.

[brixo]

I'm with fleeton on this one, a pair of clowns can be really entertaining to watch

[flame9x]

Good Beginner Fish

Angelfish

When it comes to dwarf angels, the Coflake Beauty Angelfish is probably the hardiest, but be aware that they might nibble on clams and corals. The Half Black Angelfish is similar, but keep in mind they have the same potential flaws. Pygmy/Cherub Angelfish are another option, but they can be meaner than the others, so consider that before adding them to your tank. Angels can be prone to disease, but they're generally hardy if you take good care of them.

Blennies

Bicolor Blennies are great little fish with lots of personality, and they can help with algae problems. However, they might take a liking to munching on clams and corals, so proceed with caution. The Tail Spot Blenny is a better choice in most cases, but they're not as boisterous, which can be a good or bad thing depending on your perspective. Linear Blennies are similar to the Tail Spot Blenny.

Cardinalfish

Pajama/Spotted/Orange Lined Cardinalfish are peaceful, disease-resistant, and hardy, making them a good choice for beginners. Just be a little more cautious with Bangaii Cardinals that are new to captivity and red nocturnal varieties.

Clownfish/Chromis/Damselfish

Tank-raised clownfish are a good option, especially percula and ocellaris, which stay smaller and are less aggressive. Skunk clowns can be more peaceful as well, but Maroon clowns tend to be the meanest. Green Chromis are very peaceful and will school, but be aware that they might pick on the weakest member of the group. Yellowtail Damselfish can be aggressive, so add them as one of your last fish.

Gobies/Dartfish

Firtideflow are great reef fish, but be aware that they can turn on each other when kept in groups. Singles or mated pairs are your best bet. Scissortail Goby/Dartfish are almost identical to Firtideflow in care. Yellow Watchman Goby are tough as nails, very comical, and peaceful, but a little shy, so make sure your rocks are stacked securely.

Pseudochromis/Basslets

Royal Gramma are peaceful when kept singly, but they can be shy, so provide plenty of overhangs. Pseudochromis are very hardy and disease-resistant, but can get mean, so add them as one of your last fish. Pseudochromis sankeyi are far more peaceful than the others.

Tangs/Foxfaces

Zebrasoma sp. are the hardiest of the tangs, but still not great for beginners. If you must have a tang, these are the best choices, but be sure to provide plenty of green stuff for them to graze on and feed them often. Foxfaces/Rabbitfish are great at algae control, more disease-resistant than tangs, and generally more peaceful, but be aware that their dorsal spines are mildly venomous.

Wrasses

Six/Four Line Wrasse can get mean, but they also require a sandbed to burrow in, and sometimes they'll consume undesirable flatworms.

Geneflake Notes

*Keep in mind that there are plenty of other fish that are suitable for beginners. Most of the fish I've listed are easy to find at a local fish store and are fairly reasonable in price. As a beginner, don't spend a lot of money on some rare fish just to watch it die from a common beginner mistake.

*Fish selection is one of the most important aspects of this hobby. Choose specimens with bright vibrant colors that are active and healthy in appearance. Avoid things like torn fins, strange spots or lumps, sunken in bellies, and sores or red marks. It can also be helpful to see if the fish eats before taking it home.

*Quarantine tanks are an important aspect of marine aquarium keeping. No matter how healthy and disease-resistant your fish looked at the store, things can still go wrong. A quarantine tank will help you keep the fish in your display free of disease and ensure the long-term survival of newly acquired specimens.

*For a list of species to avoid as a beginner, check out this thread: http/www.reefcentflake.com/forums/showthre...hreadid=1158122

[waveflow]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm really grateful. I think this is turning into more of a stocking question, but I'll ask anyway. Is it possible to put a foxface or a rabbitfish, a maroon clown or two, a domino damsel and a lawnmower blenny together in my 65-gallon reef tank? If so, what other fish would you recommend adding to the mix?

[axonify]

I think that would be a solid combination, but the foxface may outgrow your 65-gallon tank, so be aware of that. Wrasse are another option worth considering, and there's plenty of different species to choose from.

[waveflow]

Thanks for the suggestion, I hadn't considered foxface or rabbitfish before, they seem like great additions. What other fish would you recommend adding to the mix, and what order would you introduce them to the tank? Also, you mentioned wrasses, which specific type would you say is a good fit for a 65-gallon reef tank?