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