Fish to Include or Exclude in a Zoanthid Dominated Tank

[Wy Renegade]

Been giving some thought to this lately, as I'm considering a new tank set-up that will be almost exclusively zoas rather than a mixed reef. My tank will be small (a 20gal long), but I thought it might be nice to generate a list that others may reference as well. In thinking about the fish, I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts of or experiences to share regarding fish that are must haves (help the Zs-n-Ps out in some manner) or definite do not want (harmful to Zs-n-Ps) in some manner.

Based on my own past experiences, I'll be excluding all types of tangs (size considerations as well as the fact that they often turn to nipping polyps) and angels (again size considerations as well as potential nipping). Due to size and sandbed considerations, I'll also be excluding Diamond Watchman gobies as well. Beyond that I'm not real sure, so I'm open to some suggestions.

Thanks in advance for contributing.

[kev2me]

Here are some general ideas.

Banggai Cardinals - They'll poop on your corals and probably never physically touch your zoas which could cause unneeded stress. Ok, so that may not cause any stress to a zoa . Captive bred are readily available as well.

Mandarin Dragonette - May not be the ideal fish for a new tank, unless it's eating prepared foods. They might be able to keep any pesky pods from bothering your zoas.

Sixline Wrasse - Maybe instead of a mandarin you could go with a sixline. They will help keep any pests at bay. Make sure you tank is covered though, so they don't jump out!

Work's out, I'll think of some more when I get home.

[Wy Renegade]

Thanks for the suggestions Kev

Originally Posted by kev2me

Here are some general ideas.

Banggai Cardinals - They'll poop on your corals and probably never physically touch your zoas which could cause unneeded stress. Ok, so that may not cause any stress to a zoa . Captive bred are readily available as well.

I've seen a lot of comments about low survivability rate on these guys - don't know if thats only the wild caught ones or what. Any experience with that? How about PJ Cardinals, know anything about those?

Originally Posted by kev2me

Mandarin Dragonette - May not be the ideal fish for a new tank, unless it's eating prepared foods. They might be able to keep any pesky pods from bothering your zoas.

Love these guys, but would really be concerned about survivability in such a small tank unless its eating prepared foods, and around here it stricktly order only.

Originally Posted by kev2me

Sixline Wrasse - Maybe instead of a mandarin you could go with a sixline. They will help keep any pests at bay. Make sure you tank is covered though, so they don't jump out!

I've heard good things about these guys - help with bristle worms don't they? I've also heard that they can be a bit of a bully though when they get bigger. And, I don't know about the lid, I was thinking of maybe going topless on this one.

Originally Posted by kev2me

Work's out, I'll think of some more when I get home.

Appreciate any future thought you can give it.

[demonclownfish]

FGCC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(fancy gumdrop coral croucher). they are a super small type of scorpionfish that are awesome and BUILT for small tanks. they are on LADD sometimes.

[Wy Renegade]

Originally Posted by demonclownfish

FGCC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(fancy gumdrop coral croucher). they are a super small type of scorpionfish that are awesome and BUILT for small tanks. they are on LADD sometimes.

Scorpion fish huh? I'll have to give that one a look-see

[Chris]

Personally I don't like the 6-line for their bullying and in a 20 I would be scared it would take over the tank... unless it was the only fish then it wouldnt be an issue... like many other wrasses they are good for pest control and add some nice coloration.

With z's and p's I really have to say I think a good wrasse should always be on the list. Some of my favorites that are proven watch dogs would be:
Yellow Coris (Halichoeres chrysus) Nice yellow coloration, nudi eaters, but have potential to go after inverts, but to me Id its a risk worth taking.... few bucks for snails every so often, few hundred/thousand $ of zoas unprotected, Ill buy snails if I need to lol

xmas wrasse (Halichoeres claudia) Christmas in your tank every day with one of these guys, have seen one in work against nudis.... TONS gone in days and havent seen any since. However also has the potential to go after inverts

Ive got to admit tho a 20g is a bit questionable for the size of these guys long term tho... as a 20 really isnt a great long term tank for many fish unfortunately

[kev2me]

We have 2 pairs of Banggai cardinals, 1 is wild caught, the other captive bred. Both are doing fine and eating like pigs. But you're right, if you get a wild pair out of an LFS, they may or may not do well depending on how they were handled. A friend of mine went through several LFS Banggais before finding ones that wouldn't die right away. He actually eventually got a pair, they bred, and that's where ours came from. So yeah, I would highly suggest captive bred Banggais over the wild caught LFS variety.

I don't have any experience with the Pajamas, though I would think they would be very similar to Banggais in temperament, health, etc .

As for sixline wrasses and bristleworms... I'm not sure. I've never seen ours eat one. As for aggression, our sixline is pretty well mannered, but we have heard of them being terrors to Gold Stripe Maroon clowns...

Erika says, how about an angler. She was debating adding one to her nano contest tank.

[demonclownfish]

my sixline was an aggressive bristleworm eater lol. thats all i gotta say, i watched that thing slurp em down like spaghetti noodles.

[brandeewyne]

i have to agree on the CB bangaiis .. wildcaught seem to be much more of a risk lately. i know a few stores that won't even stock them unless they're CB. great little fishes!

another suggestion may be a lawnmower blenny. i think they are limited to SPS as far as nipping goes, maybe clam mantles. i think your zoas would be safe and those guys have tons of personality.

[MUCHO REEF]

I would choose colorful compatiable wrasses which do not mature past a lenght of 2 or 3 inches depending on the size of the tank, definitely get an algae blenny, and definitely no surgeons of any kind. Even the ones considered reef safe.

Mucho Reef