Fish and invert suggestions

[MrMeanyHead]

Fluval evo 13.5
I’m trying to plan out my tank.
For now I’ve decided to get:
-an anemone for the clowns(suggestions/advice would be great)
- a pair of ocellaris clowns (one fully black and white, and for the other I’d love to hear some suggestions for the color)
- cleaner shrimp(I love the way they look)

I’m looking for one or two more additional fish to add later. I’m thinking a fire fish, watchman goby(with a pistol shrimp), or a possum wrasse.
Again any suggestions/advice is appreciated or if you have other fish suggestions.

Finally clean up crew. Any and all suggestions are good. I like the zombie snails that emerge from the sand but I’m unsure what’s needed and what is just decorative.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Tahoe61]

Welcome.

Two clownfish once mature max out a 13.5 gallon tank. Clownfish will likely not tolerate other tankmates.

Neon Gobies and Biota offer other appropriate smaller fish.

 

[TX_REEF]

Welcome.

Two clownfish once mature max out a 13.5 gallon tank. Clownfish will likely not tolerate other tankmates.

Neon Gobies and Biota offer other appropriate smaller fish.

Agreed with this - 2 adult clowns in a 13.5 is max capacity in my opinion.

Don't rush to get an anemone, they thrive on stability and tank maturity - generally they won't fare well in a tank less than 6 months old, with 1 year+ being best in my experience. I would recommend a bubbletip anemone. They are relatively low maintenance, and come in lots of different color morphs! A photo of my a couple of my my bubbletip anemones is below. My ocellaris clowns love them.

Skunk cleaner shrimp, great choice. They are my favorite invert by far. They play nice with everyone, except they will steal food from corals (as will all shrimp, given the opportunity)

 

[MrMeanyHead]

Welcome.

Two clownfish once mature max out a 13.5 gallon tank. Clownfish will likely not tolerate other tankmates.

Neon Gobies and Biota offer other appropriate smaller fish.

Is it at all possible. I’ve seen a lot of tanks online that seem to have a pair of clownfish with one or two other fish and as well people from here that seem to keep 1 or 2 fish with their clowns. If you keep them with other fish from a young age will they be better? Also is it possible to just make a bigger tank further down the line that they could move into. Sorry if this comes off as rude or annoying. I’m just genuinely confused.

 

[Tahoe61]

When clown fish reach sexual maturity and begin spawning they will not tolerate another fish in their territory. In a 13.5 gallon tank there are no areas to escape to. Clown fish can be very aggressive, it's in their nature.
Aggression leads to stress and stress can lead to disease.

 

[MrMeanyHead]

When clown fish reach sexual maturity and begin spawning they will not tolerate another fish in their territory. In a 13.5 gallon tank there are no areas to escape to. Clown fish can be very aggressive, it's in their nature.
Aggression leads to stress and stress can lead to disease.

Is it possible to not do a pair then and instead just do one

 

[littlefoxx]

Is it at all possible. I’ve seen a lot of tanks online that seem to have a pair of clownfish with one or two other fish and as well people from here that seem to keep 1 or 2 fish with their clowns. If you keep them with other fish from a young age will they be better? Also is it possible to just make a bigger tank further down the line that they could move into. Sorry if this comes off as rude or annoying. I’m just genuinely confused.

Yes no issue keeping clowns with other fish in a larger tank. An evo 13.5 is just big enough for the clowns as adults. Other fish in there would overstock and lead to a lot of aggression between the clowns and other fish. I have a 32 gallon biocube with a single adult tomato clownfish and a mated pair of banded sleeper/dragon gobies and an emerald crab as stock and thats it.

 

[littlefoxx]

Is it possible to not do a pair then and instead just do one

Possible yes, but wouldnt open you up to other fish in that size tank unfortunately.

 

[Tahoe61]

Is it possible to not do a pair then and instead just do one

Yes. I have just one.

A lone clown becames a female just for future reference and potential paring.
The 13.5 gallon would probably be fine for many months but eventually it might be too small for 2 clowns.

Perhaps look at smaller goby types like Citron gobies.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I agree with comments above, the 2 clowns will max out the tank. A smaller fish like a neon goby or clown goby might possibly work, but its a chance. Rockwork is the one of the most important factors to adding more fish, the more rockwork you have the better the chance to add more fish successfully. IMO

 

[Biokabe]

A clown + anemone tank is possible for a 13.5 gallon, but that's basically going to be all you can have in it (well, plus inverts). As mentioned above, clowns can get territorial (they're part of the damselfish family, a notoriously pugnacious group), and they will eventually decide that all or most of the tank is theirs.

But another aspect that hasn't been touched on is that bubble tip anemones spread like wildfire. If your tank is set up well for the anemone, it will eventually spread to cover all of your rockwork. So pretty much all corals would be a non-starter for that tank.

Which isn't a reason not to do it. If that's what your want for your little slice of the ocean, you should do it! Just go into it knowing the limitations of the space. In such a small tank, you basically have room for one "concept." So that might be a small group of rock-dwelling fish in a forest of corals. It might be a shrimpy paradise. It might be a shrimp goby and pistol shrimp. Or it might be a pair of clowns with a colorful anemone. There are many concepts that can work in that size of tank, you just don't have the space to indulge all of them. So pick your favorite and work to make everything about your tank the best it can possibly be for that concept.

 

[MrMeanyHead]

I agree with comments above, the 2 clowns will max out the tank. A smaller fish like a neon goby or clown goby might possibly work, but its a chance. Rockwork is the one of the most important factors to adding more fish, the more rockwork you have the better the chance to add more fish successfully. IMO

does the order you add them effect anything. Also does the clownfish species matter.

 

[Biokabe]

does the order you add them effect anything. Also does the clownfish species matter.

The order you add them in can matter. Typically you want to add more docile fish first, as it gives them a chance to establish their territory in your tank. It's easier to defend than to establish, so if they have first dibs the later fish will claim less. That said, it can only go so far.

Clownfish species absolutely matters. Ocellaris or either of the skunk clowns (pink/orange) tend to be the most peaceful, and also the least demanding in terms of space. Percula clowns are borderline for a tank that size, but tend to be more aggressive than ocellaris. Any of the other clowns will get too big for your tank and can be absolute hellions, especially in a small space. Tomato and maroon clowns have been known to draw blood from their keepers defending their territory.