Amount of fish in a reef?

[melmaq]

Hi, I was wondering how many fish I would be able to put into a 29 gallon reef I want to start. So far, the fish I want to put in would be a flame angel, royal gramma, tomato clown, and a yellow watchman goby. Is that too many? Your feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.

[votek]

I would say that sounds like too many.

Flame Angels are REALLY nice fish, but I think for a reef tank you much be better off not getting one. I hear that they have a tendancy to nip/eat soft corals, and I think it might be just a little bit crowded with the flame angel. I would say take one off the list.

[OrionGirl]

Well, for size the angel is fine but the clown will push it as an adult. The angel will be a hit or miss--some of them are well bahved, while others are like little boys around a girls pigtail. Ont thing to keep in mind with angels--wait until your tank is well established before adding the fish. They can be sensitive to the fluctuations common in new setups. I would get the tank cycled, add the royal gramma and the goby, wait a few months, and then add the angel, and not add the clown at all.

[kreblak]

Four fish in a 29 gallon sounds a little cramped. Plus, Clowns have a tendancy to get very territorial. Unless you are planning on putting in a lot of live rock and coral, I would exclude him. Along the lines of what Oriongirl was saying, it would definately be best to wait unil the tank is settled in and experiencing very few fluctuations in water quality before adding the Angel. They are expensive, and very intolerant of poor water quality.

The gramma and the goby should be fine together. If you really want to get them a playmate, you might add a damsel. Damsels are tough as nails, and can survive in less than pristine water. However, they can be territorial (they are closely related to clownfish) and they tend to be fin nippers. A more docile choice would be a couple of blue/green chromis. Chromis are attractive, and IME tend to be much less territorial than damsels.

[melmaq]

Thanks for the advice, I think I'm going to cut the tomato clown out of the equation because my mom really has her heart set on a flame angel.