Reefs.org Forums

[JT]

I'm on Day 34 of a new, SPS dominated with 2 or 3 LPS, shallow water patch reef in a 40G Breeder and starting to think about fish for this tank. Rather than your typical cardinal fish and chromis, I am leaning towards a couple small predators instead.

I really like the looks of the Red Fin Waspfish, Paracentropogon rubripinnis, and wonder what else I could keep with him that wouldn't get too big for a 40G Breeder. Open to suggestions. Thanks

[seamaiden]

Small angler/frogfish, perhaps? Let me attach some photos someone shared with me at WWM some years ago, I think these two specimens are/were gorgeous fish and would be proud to house them as you're planning myself. I think it would make a fantastic display.

[JT]

Small angler/frogfish, perhaps?

Yeah, I was thinking about an Antennarius pictus (Painted frogfish). I just fear him changing color to match my live rock.

[seamaiden]

Then I guess you'd better make sure you have some really purty live rock.

[Goldstein]

Waspfish seem to be hardier over the long term than many anglers in my experience. If you do get one, make sure you know exactly where it is before doing any maintenance inside the tank.

[seamaiden]

The sting isn't that bad. You can pee on it. How do I know? My first LFS job we had an open display with some wasp/leaf fishes in it. Some git "tapped" on the tank and made it jump out into a tank below it with a big ol' grouper. The guy shat a brick and GRABBED the fish to keep it from being eaten. He was then stung. I scolded his sorry ass like nobody's business, then ordered him into the bathroom to go pee on his hand before he leaves, and to never come back. He dutifully went into the bathroom, peed on his hand and left. I never saw him again.

[joetbs]

you could put a group of them (they live in harems from what i am told) i have one in my nano with a little blenny and he doesn't bother it. I would assume you could put almost anything in there with them due to their small mouth size. we have ours trained to come up to the surface and it eats krill/mysis right out of the hand. they do look better under daylight than actinic and don't mind the corals.

[seahorsedreams]

I have a pair of these guys and they become very aggressive eaters. They were SO shy in th ebeginning but just tonight how he has the huevos of a hungry dwarf fuzzy.

A pictus would definately eat it as would many anglers.

Here's some pics of mine. The one with the rooster comb we are thinking is the male. The small one may be a female.



He was darker when we first got him.



Her





Right now they are in a tank with a cockatoo, ambon leaf fish and this pair.

This video sux but this is them in their tank.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0g6pQ5T5fQM