Fluval Evo 13.5 stocking

[BobcatTracker1]

We're new to the hobby and set up a Fluval Evo 13.5-gallon tank this week. It's currently cycling with live rock (dried) from our LFS, CaribSea Arag-Alive Fiji Pink live sand, and the "premium" saltwater from our LFS. We're also adding Aquavitro seed.

We're doing research and thinking about which stock we'd like, focusing on personality, color, and behaviors. Also figuring out which are appropriate for our tank based on temperament and max. size.

For fish, we're hoping to have one occupy each "level" (sand, rock, water column) but want to make sure we're not overstocking. A few neat inverts would be great if there's room.

Here's the list of what we're interested in; we realize it contains more than we can fit, so it'll serve as the "menu" we pick from as we slowly add. Any feedback and advice from the community would be very helpful!

• Single clownfish (percula, mocha, snowflake, or Picasso).
• Or a forktail blenny, but seems like our tank is too small?

• Sharknose goby
• Green clown goby, green banded goby, or tail spot blenny
• Goby (yellow watchman or yasha) with pistol shrimp
• Banded coral or skunk cleaner shrimp
• Fighting conch
• Emerald and/or porcelain crab(s)
• Coco worm

• Snails for clean-up crew

• Eventually, soft corals like GSP, Kenya tree, and spaghetti leather

 

[Gumbies R Us]

If it were me, I would do a max of two, maybe three fish in a tank that size. Going past three is going to lead to aggression issues and an overloaded bioload.

I think doing a clownfish, a clown goby, and maybe one other small goby would be the most I would do. Blennies can work in a 10-15g tank, but they are usually recommended for 20g tanks or more.

Your corals and CUC are fine for a tank that size!

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I agree, I would try to keep it to 3 fish in that size tank. Personally myself I wouldn’t put a blenny into that small of a tank, they like to swim and explore.

 

[GHOSTLY]

For way before my 13.5 was overstocked. I had a pellet trained mandarin, 2 bullet hole clowns, a purple firefish, and an orchid dottyback. While i didnt have any issues I wouldnt suggest that heavy.
You could do a pair of clowns, clown goby, and one more. If it were me id do a yasha and a shrimp, the clown pair, and a clown goby

 

[BobcatTracker1]

Thanks, all, for the suggestions and being welcoming. We've narrowed the list to what's below, which we think might be a nice mix of color, personality, and activity at various levels/areas of the tank.

Any thoughts on whether the sexy shrimp might end up as a snack for a small clownfish? I've seen conflicting info. Would it help to wait to add the sexy shrimp until coral are established, so they have additional shelter?

And opinions on clown goby vs green banded goby (if there's room)?

-1 percula clownfish
-1 tailspot blenny
-1 yellow watchman goby
-1 candy cane pistol shrimp
-1 clown goby or green banded goby (maybe the last addition...will see how tank dynamics/space are before adding)
-1 porcelain crab
-3 sexy shrimp
-Several snails as CUC

 

[GHOSTLY]

Thanks, all, for the suggestions and being welcoming. We've narrowed the list to what's below, which we think might be a nice mix of color, personality, and activity at various levels/areas of the tank.

Any thoughts on whether the sexy shrimp might end up as a snack for a small clownfish? I've seen conflicting info. Would it help to wait to add the sexy shrimp until coral are established, so they have additional shelter?

And opinions on clown goby vs green banded goby (if there's room)?

-1 percula clownfish
-1 tailspot blenny
-1 yellow watchman goby
-1 candy cane pistol shrimp
-1 clown goby or green banded goby (maybe the last addition...will see how tank dynamics/space are before adding)
-1 porcelain crab
-3 sexy shrimp
-Several snails as CUC

The blenny may be a squeeze imo and could be swapped for a more midwater fish. For me, id take the green banded becsuse I like sps but if you have no intentions on growing any then the clown has so much personality

 

[Mac8128]

I have the same tank. I would seriously recommend getting a small amount of premium live rock from someplace like Tampa Bay Saltwater. Check out my Tank Build on how well my tank did cycling. It's been two months and no uglies whatsoever.

I have a lot of experience on larger tanks but this is my first nano. I made a very deliberate decision that my nano would house one, maybe two fish due to the small water volume. With the rock and sand, I'm guessing we both have somewhere around 11.5 - 12 gallons of water in our tanks. Pretty hard to really keep stabilized. I will be following to see how it goes and see what fish you end up with. GOOD LUCK on your new build.

 

[painter1982]

I have a skunk clown pair and two chromis in mine. I’m up to 10 bta’s in there now. They keep dividing. The chromis sit right with the bta next to tentacles. I’m surprised they don’t get stung. I also have a cleanup crew and pistol shrimp. It’s not crowded. The fish rarely venture into the open. Only for food. I think quantity you put in depends on what you put in. I don’t have nutrient issues but I also drilled the back and added a sump with refugium and skimmer.

 

[Mac8128]

Yea, I also have a CUC, peppermint shrimp, 2 Astrea, 2 Cerith and 2 Nassau’s snails. Plus some feather dusters and a jewel box clam that came as a hitchhiker on the TBS live rock.