Tropical Fish Forums

[FloridaBoy]

As I have stated, I think beginners would do well to start with tank raised animals for a while, before risking wild caught options.

Please read my sticky article carefully. I do not consider angelfish to be a good beginner's group. With many hardy species available, like clowns and other damsels, hawkfishes, cardinals, certain wrasses, blennies, some of the dottybacks, smaller triggers, certain tangs, gobies, even smaller groupers and predators, etc., the beginner will have no problem stocking the successful marine aquarium while avoiding the ones on that list. Although not all of that last group I just mentioned are necessarily compatible in the same tank, and some will outgrow the small display and eventually need to be moved, they can all do well if given proper care.

Also may I suggest picking up a copy of THE CONSCIENTIOUS MARINE AQUARIST, by Robert Fenner; it's a great way to start researching the hobby.
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Keepin' marines happy for 25 years

[CREXK2]

I have this book and would a flame hawkfish be compatible with a pair of clowns?

[Mike612]

The clowns and Flame Hawkfish are compatible. Just do some research to ensure that you are providing the fish with a proper diet and you should be fine.

Another thing to keep in mind though is to select a nicer species of Clownfish. Maroon and Tomato Clowns can be really nasty and may pick on the Hawkfish. They may even attack your fingers while you're cleaning the tank. You may want to go for the more peaceful Ocellaris Clownfish. Not only are the Ocellaris Clownfish more peaceful, but they're also easier to pair up and captive bred specimens are readily available.

[CREXK2]

I was going to get some ocellaris, and what other fish could I keep these with?

[FloridaBoy]

[CREXK2]

Which wrasses?

[FloridaBoy]

Depends if you are doing a fish-only or a reef system. For peaceful reef tanks with little clownfish, I would do some research into the Fairy Wrasses (a.k.a. Velvet Wrasses) the Genus Cirrhilabrus. The Canary Wrasse (Halichoeres chrysus) has proven to be a good choice if you can secure a healthy specimen and give it proper care, but it will eat inverts. A lot of reef hobbyists like the little Six Line Wrasse (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia), but they can get pretty aggressive at times so you have to be careful when choosing wrasses. Big boys like the Bird Wrasse (G. varius) and Harlequin Tusk (C. fasciatus) are some of my personal favorites, but they are not going to be suitable for a 55 gallon system, simply because of the sizes they quickly reach.

There are lots of variables here. Just remember, wrasses are a big group with different personalities; some of these are considered reef-safe, others will snack on invertebrates like popcorn. There are many types of other small wrasses available, but I believe some are sold at too young of an age to adapt well to captivity; I have listed some of the juvenile wrasses to avoid on my sticky here:
http://www.aquahobby.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=17688
Your research will lead to success.
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Keepin' marines happy for 25 years