Fluval Evo 13.5 Stocking Ideas

[Bucrob]

Hey guys,

I'm setting up a Fluval Evo 13.5 and looking for some stocking ideas. The tank is cycled, and I already know for sure that I'm moving an established pair of Pink Skunk Clowns into it from my other system.

Since the clowns will be the main focus and will hold down the middle and upper water column, I want to find something to fill out the lower area of the tank. I'm looking for a nano-sized tankmate that is still active and interesting to watch, rather than something that just hides in the rockwork all day.

Let me know what bottom-dwellers or low-swimming fish you've had success with alongside a clown pair in a nano this size. Coral or unique invert suggestions that fit the vibe are also welcome. Thanks.

 

[PharmrJohn]

With 13.5g at your disposal, I'd stop with your clown pair. You really don't have enough room for any more IMO.

 

[Bucrob]

With 13.5g at your disposal, I'd stop with your clown pair. You really don't have enough room for any more IMO.

Wouldn't even go with a goby or something? Not concerned about like water changes and what not, I get free saltwater at my LFS so I can do as big of a change and as frequent of a change as needed. Really just want something to look at other than the clowns.

 

[PharmrJohn]

With my last iteration of tanks, one of them was a 10g tank with a mated pair of O. Clowns. IMO, it was too small for them. I decided then that the next pair I had would be in a 20g long. And I wouldn't put another fish in there because of how territorial they are. It would be two agressive fish against one. The outcome could become problematic.

 

[Bucrob]

With my last iteration of tanks, one of them was a 10g tank with a mated pair of O. Clowns. IMO, it was too small for them. I decided then that the next pair I had would be in a 20g long. And I wouldn't put another fish in there because of how territorial they are. It would be two agressive fish against one. The outcome could become problematic.

I appreciate the perspective, and in a lot of cases, I’d agree with you. However, I think a lot of it comes down to the specific personality of the fish.

These Pink Skunks have been incredibly docile. They’re currently in a 4-foot Waterbox 130.4 with a pair of Ocellaris. The female Ocellaris actually started bullying them to the point where I had to move her to the sump because the skunks wouldn't even fight back to get food—they just openly shared their anemones until she took over.

Before the Waterbox, this exact pair lived in a HelloReef 15g for over two years alongside a Dracula Goby and never showed a bit of aggression toward him. Technically, the Fluval Evo actually gives them a better footprint than the HelloReef cube did since it’s longer and wider, even if it loses a gallon or two of total volume.

Given their track record with gobies and their submissive nature, that’s why I’m confident a small bottom-dweller would work, but I definitely appreciate the opinion

 

[Ollie67]

My first two fish were my snowflake clown pair, which I've had since juveniles. They've grown nicely in the tank. For well over two years now, I've had my clowns in addition to a yellow watchman goby paired with a pistol shrimp and a royal gramma.

My goby mostly hangs in the caves with my pistol shrimp, and pokes his head out occasionally. He's grown quite a bit! My royal gramma usually hangs near a cave or the rocks, usually. All my fish have gotten along well. In the first few months of my system, I would do bi-weekly water changes. Now I only do them every month or two.

I recently added a new member, my pink-streaked wrasse, to my system. He hangs around the lower level of the tank and out of the way of the clowns. Super friendly little guy. I do believe I am pushing the limits with this guy, but I am planning on upgrading my system very soon for more space.

But going back to your case, I think you would be more than well off with a goby of some sort or one of the other fish I mentioned! There are plenty of fun options. Feel free to look at my tank thread

 

[ParticleMan]

I've had my Fluval 13.5 up and running for just over a year now. I started with a pair of Mocha Vinci clowns that were paired along with a tailspot blenny. The two clowns seem to become a bit agressive so I moved them to a new home tank I setup where they remain to this day. In their place I added a single Black Wyoming White and a Pink Streaked Wrasse. The 3 of them get along great and I've no issues with this bio-load. The pink streak is by far the most docile, easy fish I've ever seen. He just cruises throughout the tank doing his thing. So I would say 3 fish is fine, especially if you do your maintenance. I run a refugium in the 2nd chamber with a grow light that has helped keep ev

erything in check. Here are some images. I started adding my corals about 3 months ago.