| After getting home from a long day at work and | | | | that provide them with a sense of security. Unless |
| getting the kids into bed you have worked into the | | | | your tank is really large you should only have one |
| wee hours of the night and most of the last few | | | | Blue Tang. They are also known to quarrel with the |
| weekends to get your new saltwater set up just | | | | Brown Tangs. If you want to have these two types |
| right. You have designed the reef system to be the | | | | of Tang in your aquarium be sure to have a lot of |
| envy of the neighborhood! Don't forget that you | | | | space and reef with passages. |
| have tested the water faithfully as you cycled your | | | | Clownfish |
| aquarium. The time has now arrived that you can | | | | You can't think about a saltwater tank and not |
| start introducing tropical saltwater fish to your tank. | | | | envision a Clownfish (Nemo). Clownfish have |
| Now the decision is what kind of tropical saltwater | | | | alternating bands of orange and white. Some varieties |
| fish do you add? | | | | will have black lines as well. This is a great fish for |
| The very first thing to remember is that fish have | | | | saltwater tanks with reef systems. This peaceful fish |
| personalities just like people and not everyone gets | | | | will spend most of it's time at home in its anemone. |
| along well. As a result you need to give serious | | | | If you plan to have more than one Clownfish it is |
| thought to who will call your new saltwater tank | | | | best to add them in pairs and have at least one |
| home. Also, the order in which you add fish and how | | | | anemone for each pair you place in the tank. You |
| many of the same type can make a big difference. | | | | should only consider more than one Clownfish if your |
| Fish can be protective of their homes just like us. | | | | tank is at least 100 gallons. |
| Here is a list of five tropical fish that are easy for | | | | Flame Hawkfish |
| beginners to handle and can live together in your new | | | | This is one of the most popular types of Hawkfish. |
| saltwater tank. | | | | This peaceful fish has a red body with darker |
| The Royal Gramma | | | | markings along the dorsal fin and around the eyes. |
| The Royal Gramma Basslet or Fairy Basslet is a | | | | The Flame Hawkfish can be very personable fish. |
| beautiful fish. The front half of its body and head are | | | | They make a great addition to any live reef aquarium |
| a bright purple, while the back half is yellow. It is a | | | | as long as there are no small shrimp in the aquarium. |
| hardy fish that does well in a reef aquarium. Since it | | | | The Flame Hawkfish will do well in saltwater |
| remains small (less than 3 inches), it is perfect for | | | | aquariums as small as 30 gallons. |
| small reef systems. It is recommended for saltwater | | | | Fantail Filefish |
| tank setups as small as 30 gallons. | | | | This fish is very popular because of its exceptional |
| They can be aggressive towards their own species, | | | | color scheme. The Fantail is a cream color with brown |
| and as a result you should only purchase one for | | | | striations on its face and a brown pattern covering |
| your aquarium. This tropical fish is a deep water | | | | the rest of its body. Its tail is in stark contrast with |
| dweller and prefers caves and extensive rockwork. It | | | | an orange then brown then yellow coloring scheme. |
| does well in a somewhat subdued lighting | | | | If you are planning a saltwater fish only aquarium this |
| arrangement. | | | | would be an excellent choice. They are not |
| Powder Blue Tang | | | | recommended for reef tanks as they enjoy eating |
| This tropical saltwater fish will be sure to entertain | | | | invertebrates. |
| you! If you are not sure of which fish I am writing | | | | There are several other fish that would be |
| about think of "Dory" from the Disney movie "Finding | | | | considered great starter fish. The ones chosen above |
| Nemo." The Powder Blue Tang has an oval body | | | | were listed for their ability to adapt well in a new |
| shape with colorful markings. It is primarily blue and is | | | | tank, ease of care, popularity and, coloring. The most |
| accented with yellow and white. Bright yellow | | | | important thing to remember is that a saltwater |
| highlights the dorsal and pectoral fins while blue-black | | | | aquarium is a long term commitment. So be sure that |
| markings outline the face and tail. They do best in a | | | | the fish you choose are ones that you and your |
| larger tank. They like reef systems with passages | | | | family will enjoy. |