20g Long Stocking!

Katie03 · Apr 26, 2020

Hi everyone! I recently started a new reef tank (I haven’t had one in about 6 months). It is a 20g long with crushed coral/aragonite substrate. I’ve got it set up and running and will hopefully be ready to start adding my clean up crew and fish in about 2 weeks! I had some ideas for stocking, but I’m not sure about them. What are everyone’s thoughts on either a Royal Gramma or Black Cap Basslet and 2 Springeri Dottybacks in a 30” tank? I ran it by a few of my saltwater/reef groups on FB who said it should be fine, but I’m not sure if they’re correct! Any advice? If I can do the Basslet, do you prefer one species (Black Cap and Royal Gramma) over the other? Why?

Euphyllia97 · Apr 26, 2020

Hi! Welcome to r2r.

I think it should be okay as long as you take The black cap or the royal gramma. Wouldn’t combine those two.

Katie03 · Apr 26, 2020

Euphyllia97 said:
Hi! Welcome to r2r.

I think it should be okay as long as you take The black cap or the royal gramma. Wouldn’t combine those two.

I was only planning on doing 1. Another question though, would a 40g breeder be okay for 1-2 Lemonpeel Angelfish?

Euphyllia97 · Apr 26, 2020

Katie03 said:
I was only planning on doing 1. Another question though, would a 40g breeder be okay for 1-2 Lemonpeel Angelfish?

Yeah tank size should be alright. I would recommend to only keep one as they can be quite aggressive towards their own type. Keep in mind that they are known to nip at LPS corals.

jp_75 · Apr 26, 2020

why not: royal gramma, possum wrasse and some small blenny?
or
black cap basslet, some goby and maybe cardinal fish?

Katie03 · Apr 26, 2020

The most important part of this stocking is the Dottyback. I like Orchid Dottybacks, but I fell in love with Springeri at my LFS! The Springeri would also offer more color contrast with the Basslet

nereefpat · Apr 26, 2020

I don't think the dottyback will tolerate the basslet

bryanfuel · Apr 26, 2020

Dottyback and the basslet might fight in a tank that small. Kind of depends on the individual fish though. 1 lemon peel in a 40G breeder is fine!

As a side note, my first tank in high school was a 20G long. I didn't know anything about stocking and had a zebra moray, 2 clowns and 2 butterfly fish it it. Needless to say, the butterflyfish didnt make it. Somehow, the eel and clownfish made it until I upgraded to a 90G system.

Katie03 · Apr 26, 2020

I was trying to stick with the least similar colors I could! I was also considering a firefish instead of the Basslet, but I prefer the Basslet. The only issue is I know Royal Grammas tend to be aggressive.