The following excerpt has been taken from the Reef Notes series of books featuring questions answered by Julian Sprung and have been printed here with his full permission. Please check back frequently as we will be adding different topics on a regular basis. All previously printed topic will be held in an archive link.

Topic: Selecting Hardy Fish: Ones to Avoid
One of the greatest secrets to success with marine fish is knowing which ones to choose. By this I do not refer to the ability to pick healthy fish. What I mean is knowing which fish have the least propensity to get sick and die in an aquarium. I like fish that don't die too easily. The following fish are least likely to contract the common diseases Cryptocaryon and Amyloodinium. Hawkfish, including the Flame Hawk, Arc Eye, and Longnow Hawkfish; Basslets, including Royal Gramma, Pseudochromis species, Cardinalfish such as the Pajama Cardinal; and tank-raised Clownfish. There are many more hardy fish that are suitable for reef aquariums, but I wanted to point out ones that are the safest.

The Wrath of Tang
Probably the most signficant cause of chronic disease problems in reef aquariums, tangs are very prone to Amyloodinium and Cryptocaryon. Since they are among the best herbivorous fishes, most aquarists include at least one species of them in a reef aquarium. Not only are they prone to disease, they also tend to make other fish sick. Some species are more prone to getting sick than others. Avoid Ctenochaetus spp., such as the Kole and Chevron tang, and also avoid Acanthurus species such as the Powder Blue and Achilles Tang. The Zebrasoma species are the most disease resistant, and they are good grazers. Feed them often to keep them fat!