2 fish

[josephmiller736]

I’m looking at starting out with a 20 gallon saltwater tank here soon. I want a pair of clown fish for sure as well as one more type of fish, and 2 live coral. Maybe 3 coral. As well as 2-3 blue legged hermit crabs. Is that too much for a 20 gallon tank?

 

[lapin]

2 clowns are fine. No more fish after that.

 

[Jekyl]

Above post isn't wrong. Clowns for all their glory through Disney are actually jerks.

 

[lil sumpin]

clowns are overrated, clown gobies underrated :smiling-face-with-sunglasses:

 

[vetteguy53081]

I’m looking at starting out with a 20 gallon saltwater tank here soon. I want a pair of clown fish for sure as well as one more type of fish, and 2 live coral. Maybe 3 coral. As well as 2-3 blue legged hermit crabs. Is that too much for a 20 gallon tank?

If you want other fish in the tank, make the clowns the last addition as they are territorial, can get nasty and are sneaky with aggression.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Welcome to the forum!
I agree you’d be capped on fish with 2 clowns. You might be able to get away with some sand dwelling fish like a yellow watchman goby, but that completely depends on the personality of the clownfish. My pair would destroy anything that goes near their tank.
As for the inverts, you can do way more. I’d be looking at at least 10 hermits if you want them to have any dent on algae and detritus (you also will want snails for similar purposes). Corals are really a matter of how much you are willing to spend on the tank. Once you get one you’ll find that there isn’t really ever a stopping point.

 

[jabberwock]

Just say "no" to clownfish.

 

[littlefoxx]

Awe yall are clown haters! Lol I have a pair in each of my tanks. Not a tank without clowns if you ask me! OP get two babies (different sizes) since they are so dang cute when little :) but dont be fooled they turn nasty and bite when they are adults. Had one jump out of my tank just to bite me in the forehead once lol

 

[Malum Argenteum]

I'm not sure that two or three corals is the right idea (especially if this means coral frags). To have coral, you'll need different (better, more expensive, brighter) lighting, and the associated algae issues that can come along with that. You'll also need a lot better control over water parameters (test kits, time, a bag or bucket to hold the hair that you pull out). Those things might be more worth it for something closer to a full blown reef tank.

Just thinking about cost-benefit analysis on adding a couple corals vs sticking with fish/inverts only.