Blue Tang
Scientific Name: Paracanthurus hepatus
Diet: Herbivore – “Algae eater” 🌿
Life Span: 10 to 20 years
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Location in Tank: Open water
The Blue Tang is one of the most recognizable saltwater fish with its bright blue body and yellow tail. It’s an active swimmer that spends most of its time cruising the tank and grazing on algae.
Ryan’s Tank Notes:
Always on the move and one of the most eye-catching fish in the tank. Adds a lot of color and personality. Can get a little territorial at times but generally keeps things under control.
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Scientific Name: Centropyge bispinosa
Diet: Omnivore – “Eats a little of everything”
Life Span: 5 to 10 years
Temperament: Semi-aggressive ⚠️
Location in Tank: Rock structure
Colorful and always moving through the rocks.
Ryan’s Tank Notes:
Constantly weaving in and out of the rock work and always busy.
Sailfin Tang
Scientific Name: Zebrasoma desjardinii
Diet: Herbivore – “Algae Eater”
Life Span: 5 to 10 years
Temperament: Semi-aggressive ⚠️
Location in Tank: Open water / cruising
This fish stands out with its large fins and striped pattern. It’s constantly swimming and picking at algae.
Ryan’s Tank Notes:
Usually cruising the tank and using the open swim space. Gets a little territorial if another tang gets too close.
Kole (Blue Eye) Tang
Scientific Name: Ctenochaetus strigosus
Diet: Herbivore – “Detritus and Algae Eater”
Life Span: 5 to 10 years
Temperament: Semi-aggressive ⚠️
Location in Tank: Rocks and glass
Always working and constantly grazing on algae.
Ryan’s Tank Notes:
Spends most of the day cleaning the rocks and glass. Has gotten into it with the Lemonpeel a few times.
Lemonpeel Angelfish
Scientific Name: Centropyge flavissima
Diet: Omnivore – “Eats a little of everything”
Life Span: 5 to 10 years
Temperament: Aggressive 😈
Location in Tank: Open water / near rocks
Bright yellow and always active.
Ryan’s Tank Notes:
Definitely has an attitude. Known to chase other fish, especially the Kole Tang.
Mandarin Dragonet (Pair)
Scientific Name: Synchiropus splendidus
Diet: Carnivore – “Pods and live foods”
Life Span: 10 to 15 years
Temperament: Chill 😎
Location in Tank: Rocks / bottom
One of the most colorful fish in the tank.
Ryan’s Tank Notes:
Male and female pair that stay low and cruise the rocks all day.
Green Chromis
Scientific Name: Chromis viridis
Diet: Omnivore – “Plankton and small foods”
Life Span: 8 to 15 years
Temperament: Chill 😎
Location in Tank: Open water
Schooling fish that bring constant movement.
Ryan’s Tank Notes:
They stay together and are always moving—adds a ton of life to the tank.
Diamond Sleeper Goby (Pair)
Scientific Name: Valenciennea puellaris
Diet: Carnivore – “Sand organisms”
Life Span: 5 to 8 years
Temperament: Chill 😎
Location in Tank: Sand bed
Constantly sifting sand and cleaning the bottom.
Ryan’s Tank Notes:
They do a great job cleaning but also dump sand all over the rocks.
Ocellaris Clownfish (Pair)
Scientific Name: Amphiprion ocellaris
Diet: Omnivore – “Eats a little of everything”
Life Span: 6 to 10 years
Temperament: Chill 😎
Location in Tank: Upper rock / near anemones
Classic clownfish behavior.
Ryan’s Tank Notes:
They stay near the top and move between spots—not locked into one anemone yet.
Sebae Clownfish (Pair)
Scientific Name: Amphiprion sebae
Diet: Omnivore – “Eats a little of everything”
Life Span: 6 to 10 years
Temperament: Semi-aggressive ⚠️
Location in Tank: Upper rock / anemones
Known for defending their space.
Ryan’s Tank Notes:
They stay together and hold their area pretty well.
Fire Shrimp
Scientific Name: Lysmata debelius
Diet: Omnivore – “Scavenger”
Life Span: 2 to 3 years
Temperament: Chill 😎
Location in Tank: Under rocks
Bright red but hides often.
Ryan’s Tank Notes:
Usually only comes out during feeding time.
Orange Linkia Starfish
Scientific Name: Linckia laevigata
Diet: Omnivore – “Biofilm”
Life Span: 5 to 10 years
Temperament: Chill 😎
Location in Tank: Rocks and glass
Slow-moving but always working.
Ryan’s Tank Notes:
Always crawling somewhere—doesn’t move fast but covers a lot over time.
Convict Tang
Scientific Name: Acanthurus triostegus
Diet: Herbivore – “Algae eater”
Life Span: 5 to 10 years
Temperament: Peaceful / active
Location in Tank: Open water
The Convict Tang is known for its bold black and white stripes, resembling a prison uniform. It’s an active swimmer that helps control algae in the tank.
Ryan’s Tank Notes:
Always on the move and adds a lot of motion to the tank. One of the more peaceful tangs
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Scientific Name: Chaetodon lunula
Diet: Omnivore – “Eats a variety of foods”
Life Span: 5 to 7 years
Temperament: Peaceful
Location in Tank: Open water / near rocks
Easily recognized by the black “mask” across its face, resembling a raccoon. It’s a hardy and active fish.
Ryan’s Tank Notes:
One of the easiest fish to spot in the tank because of its markings. Always cruising around.
Indigo Hamlet
Scientific Name: Hypoplectrus indigo
Diet: Carnivore – “Meaty foods”
Life Span: 5 to 8 years
Temperament: Semi-aggressive ⚠️
Location in Tank: Rock structure / mid-level
The Indigo Hamlet is a deep blue fish with lighter vertical bars. It’s part of the sea bass family and is both calm and predatory.
Ryan’s Tank Notes:
Usually keeps to itself but is always watching. One of the more unique fish in the tank.
Koran Angelfish
Pygmy (Cherub) Angelfish
Scientific Name: Pomacanthus semicirculatus
Diet: Omnivore – “Eats a little of everything”
Life Span: 10 to 15 years
Temperament: Semi-aggressive ⚠️ (can become aggressive with age)
Location in Tank: Open water / rock areas
The Koran Angelfish is known for its dramatic color change as it grows. Juveniles have bold blue and white swirl patterns, while adults develop a more striped yellow and blue look.
Ryan’s Tank Notes:
One of the more unique fish in the tank because of how much it changes over time. Still active and cruising, but will likely become more dominant as it gets bigger.
Pygmy (Cherub) Angelfish
Pygmy (Cherub) Angelfish
Pygmy (Cherub) Angelfish
Scientific Name: Centropyge argi
Diet: Omnivore – “Eats algae and meaty foods”
Life Span: 5 to 10 years
Temperament: Semi-aggressive ⚠️
Location in Tank: Rockwork / mid-level
The Cherub Angelfish is a small but bold fish with a deep blue body and a bright yellow/orange face. Despite its size, it has a big personality and isn’t afraid to stand its ground.
Ryan’s Tank Notes:
One of the smaller fish in the tank but definitely not shy. Always moving around the rocks and can get a little feisty with other fish if they get too close.
Longnose Butterflyfish
Pygmy (Cherub) Angelfish
Pygmy (Cherub) Angelfish
Scientific Name: Forcipiger flavissimus
Diet: Carnivore – “Picks at small invertebrates”
Life Span: 5 to 10 years
Temperament: Peaceful
Location in Tank: Open water / rockwork
The Longnose Butterflyfish is easy to spot with its bright yellow body and long, pointed snout. That nose isn’t just for looks—it uses it to reach into small crevices in the rock to hunt for tiny prey.
Ryan’s Tank Notes:
One of the more unique fish in the tank. Always cruising around and picking at the rocks. Stays pretty peaceful and doesn’t bother the other fish, but constantly on the move.
Snowflake Eel
Scientific Name: Echidna nebulosa
Diet: Carnivore – “Meaty foods”
Life Span: 10 to 15 years
Temperament: Semi-aggressive ⚠️
Location in Tank: Rockwork / caves
The Snowflake Eel is known for its unique white, yellow, and black pattern and its habit of hiding in rocks. It’s mostly nocturnal and relies more on its sense of smell than eyesight to find food.
Ryan’s Tank Notes:
Usually stays hidden in the rockwork during the day and comes out more during feeding time. Known escape artist—tight lids are a must. Will eat smaller fish if given the chance.
“Benny” the Scooter Blenny
Scientific Name: Synchiropus ocellatus
Diet: Carnivore – “Pod Hunter” 🦐
Life Span: 3 to 5 years
Temperament: Peaceful
Location in Tank: Bottom / sand bed
Benny spends most of his time cruising along the sand, constantly hunting for tiny organisms like copepods. He’s not the fastest swimmer, but he’s always working, picking at the sand and rocks for food throughout the day.
Ryan’s Tank Notes:
Benny is one of the more chill fish in the tank and mostly keeps to himself. He’s always moving but never in a rush—just doing his thing on the bottom. He adds a lot of personality and is fun to watch if you catch him up close.
Chocolate Chip StarfIsh
Scientific Name: Protoreaster nodosus
Diet: Carnivore – “Meaty foods”
Life Span: 5 to 10 years
Temperament: Peaceful
Location in Tank: Sand bed / rock
The Chocolate Chip Starfish is easy to recognize with its light-colored body and dark raised “chips” on its back. It moves slowly around the tank and will eat a variety of meaty foods.
Ryan’s Tank Notes:
Moves around the tank throughout the day and is pretty easy to spot because of its size and markings. Definitely a cool addition, but not reef safe—it will eat corals and other inverts if given the chance.
Purple Tip Sebae Anemone
Long Tentacle Green Anemone
Scientific Name: Heteractis crispa
Diet: Carnivore – “Meaty foods and light”
Life Span: 5+ years
Location in Tank: Rock / upper areas
Relies heavily on lighting and can move around.
Ryan’s Tank Notes:
Still finding its spot in the tank but starting to settle.
Long Tentacle Green Anemone
Long Tentacle Green Anemone
Long Tentacle Green Anemone
Scientific Name: Macrodactyla doreensis
Diet: Carnivore – “Meaty foods and light”
Life Span: 5+ years
Location in Tank: Sand bed
Prefers to bury its foot in the sand.
Ryan’s Tank Notes:
Once it settles, it stays put and adds a lot of movement.
Long Tentacle Anemone
Long Tentacle Green Anemone
Long Tentacle Green Anemone
Scientific Name: Macrodactyla doreensis
Diet: Carnivore – “Meaty foods and light”
Life Span: 5+ years
Location in Tank: Sand bed (preferred) / rock while settling
This anemone has long flowing tentacles and glows under blue lighting. It relies heavily on light but will also eat small pieces of food.
Ryan’s Tank Notes:
This one moves around a bit but looks awesome under the lights. It’s still finding its perfect spot in the tank.