The 5 Best Nano Reef Fish
By David Ogando Jr.
5. Six-line Wrasse (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia)
Known for its signature six blue stripes, this small wrasse is useful for eating reef pests such as bristleworms and is easy to care for. However, it may harass peaceful wrasses & fish with a gentle disposition. A meaty diet is best for this nano-carnivore.
4. Banggai Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni)
Iconic for its signature black and white stripes, this native of the Banggai Islands of Indonesia, is successfully bred in captivity to curb overfishing in the wild. It is important to note that his fish can not be kept in large groups due to conspecific aggression, and is a slow swimmer that has a risk of being harassed by faster-moving neighbors. A well-balanced meaty diet is best for this fish.
3. Royal Gramma (Gramma loreto)
A colorful yet hardy fish, this type of basslet native to deep-water areas of the Caribbean stays at a small-enough size for nano tanks, even as an adult. Doing best without others of its species, the royal gramma prefers a meat-based diet with a variety of brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and meaty frozen foods.
2. Yellow Prawn-Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus)
Preferring to burrow in the sand, this species of watchman goby does well alone in small reef tanks but is peaceful to other species of fish, and is known to form symbiotic relationships for pistol shrimp! Enjoying a varied meat-based diet, a tight-fitting lid is mandatory to prevent the risk of it jumping out of the aquarium.
1. Ocellaris Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris)
Known in pop culture around the world as Nemo, this anemonefish is the perfect option for a nano reef. Hardy with the capacity to be alone or paired with another clownfish, the ocellaris clownfish is admired for its symbiotic relationship with anemones. Accepting most meat-based foods, this easy-to-breed fish can do well in almost any kind of nano reef tank.
