How to Stock 20gal?

[WindowsTen]

Hi! I'm new to reefing and new to this forum so wasn't sure how to search specifically for what I am looking for, so I thought I would simply ask!

I have a AIO 20 gallon Waterbox cube. I think I want some kind of goby and shrimp pair, and a clownfish. Anything else I'm not sure! What other creatures are more beginner friendly that could fit in the tank? I plan to have very regular upkeep with the filters and water changes however I don't want to overload it, how much can I comfortably fit?

Should I do a pair of clownfish or is singular okay? I'm hoping to avoid overly aggressive and territorial fish (both with species and order of adding them to the system) but I do understand that its their nature and it's not really predictable.

I'm planning to put some corals in the tank but don't know very much about them and I'm still researching, will update once I have ideas!
I'm also very open to unique suggestions not including any of those fish since I'm so new.

Apologies if these are silly questions, considering I've read a bunch of resources, I'd rather be told something 1,000 times than be wrong.

 

[Tinnerito]

Hi! I'm new to reefing and new to this forum so wasn't sure how to search specifically for what I am looking for, so I thought I would simply ask!

I have a AIO 20 gallon Waterbox cube. I think I want some kind of goby and shrimp pair, and a clownfish. Anything else I'm not sure! What other creatures are more beginner friendly that could fit in the tank? I plan to have very regular upkeep with the filters and water changes however I don't want to overload it, how much can I comfortably fit?

Should I do a pair of clownfish or is singular okay? I'm hoping to avoid overly aggressive and territorial fish (both with species and order of adding them to the system) but I do understand that its their nature and it's not really predictable.

I'm planning to put some corals in the tank but don't know very much about them and I'm still researching, will update once I have ideas!
I'm also very open to unique suggestions not including any of those fish since I'm so new.

Apologies if these are silly questions, considering I've read a bunch of resources, I'd rather be told something 1,000 times than be wrong.

Clownfish are AMAZING starter fish, and if you want a pair is up to you but they do just fine on their own. I've personally never kept a pistol shrimp/goby pair but as far my research goes it's generally easy as long as you make sure they both are getting food. Generally, most gobies and blennies are very good fish for starters and I loved them.

Recommendation: Clown gobies; some of my favorite "beginner" fish, that are super beautiful, friendly, and active.

Best of luck to you tank!!

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

you can fit 3 or 4 fishes in that tank, I would start with 1 or 2, then wait a month before the next addition. There are so many choices of peaceful fish, take your time deciding. Good luck

 

[WindowsTen]

Clownfish are AMAZING starter fish, and if you want a pair is up to you but they do just fine on their own. I've personally never kept a pistol shrimp/goby pair but as far my research goes it's generally easy as long as you make sure they both are getting food. Generally, most gobies and blennies are very good fish for starters and I loved them.

Recommendation: Clown gobies; some of my favorite "beginner" fish, that are super beautiful, friendly, and active.

Best of luck to you tank!!

Thank you! My mom (who had a pair of clownfish in med school) was worried about having a singular clownfish, and I wanted triple to ensure it was okay. Clown goby is probably the go since there's a place near me I can locally source one, not sure where I'll get the rest of the livestock from though.

Very excited about the tank, I think I'll be able to start it cycling tomorrow!

 

[littlefoxx]

I think clowns need to be in pairs honestly, I recently lost a very old female from a pair I rescued after a tank breakdown. The male went into hiding and refused to eat and was pale and sick looking. I got a small young clownfish and now the bigger one is eating, out and about with the small one, bright colored and doing the bonding shake. I suspect he will be a she soon and bond with the little one. The change in behavior with the older one was instant when I released the little one in the tank.

 

[WindowsTen]

I think clowns need to be in pairs honestly, I recently lost a very old female from a pair I rescued after a tank breakdown. The male went into hiding and refused to eat and was pale and sick looking. I got a small young clownfish and now the bigger one is eating, out and about with the small one, bright colored and doing the bonding shake. I suspect he will be a she soon and bond with the little one. The change in behavior with the older one was instant when I released the little one in the tank.

I see, thank you! I think that I'm more likely to get a pair of clowns or none as opposed to an individual after reading others' experiences. Only if the fish has been raised without a partner or something similar (not sure how fish are raised, or if that would be a possibility) and is historically okay with it.

 

[littlefoxx]

I see, thank you! I think that I'm more likely to get a pair of clowns or none as opposed to an individual after reading others' experiences. Only if the fish has been raised without a partner or something similar (not sure how fish are raised, or if that would be a possibility) and is historically okay with it.

Yeah I have a rescue tomato clown. She likes being solo. Tried to pair her with a male and she killed him one night after I thought they were doing well. I was like okay girlfriend you do you but my other pair need to be together.

This is my current pair in my reef tank.

 

[littlefoxx]

This is my tomato clown, Pistola.

 

[WindowsTen]

Yeah I have a rescue tomato clown. She likes being solo. Tried to pair her with a male and she killed him one night after I thought they were doing well. I was like okay girlfriend you do you but my other pair need to be together.

This is my current pair in my reef tank.

They're so pretty! I love clownfish, I think I'm leaning towards a pair (if I can get some), just gotta figure out their other tankmates!

 

[littlefoxx]

They're so pretty! I love clownfish, I think I'm leaning towards a pair (if I can get some), just gotta figure out their other tankmates!

Theres lots of places that sell and ship clowns! Have you looked into a blenny? They are very cool and have great personalities

 

[WindowsTen]

Theres lots of places that sell and ship clowns! Have you looked into a blenny? They are very cool and have great personalities

I don't have a quarantine tank, so I'm going to either try to find a local spot that can qt for me or a place that qts before shipping. (ideally at minimal cost but my budget isn't terribly strict for proper care)

Yeah! A blenny seems great from what I've looked into. I'm kind of looking for fish with fun personalities, but I'm not too picky; I just want something I can properly care for. I've also looked at a royal gramma, a firefish, and banggai cardinal pair(?).

 

[littlefoxx]

I don't have a quarantine tank, so I'm going to either try to find a local spot that can qt for me or a place that qts before shipping. (ideally at minimal cost but my budget isn't terribly strict for proper care)

Yeah! A blenny seems great from what I've looked into. I'm kind of looking for fish with fun personalities, but I'm not too picky; I just want something I can properly care for. I've also looked at a royal gramma, a firefish, and banggai cardinal pair(?).

Cardinals are cool! Grammas and firefish hide like all the time

 

[Lou City Reefing]

Honestly, my favorite fish to start with are Chalk Basslets. Mine is fully of character and fun to watch! I also have 2 clowns and 1 mollie that destroys all hair algae

 

[WindowsTen]

Honestly, my favorite fish to start with are Chalk Basslets. Mine is fully of character and fun to watch! I also have 2 clowns and 1 mollie that destroys all hair algae

Peeked at your tank and was excited to see what you've got in the same model as mine! The Chalk Basslet seems like a cool fish to consider. Having two clownfish, a goby or blenny, and then some other fun fish is my rough plan (eventually lol, I understand it takes time). I'll need to see about specifics to take care of algae.

 

[Lou City Reefing]

Honestly, my favorite fish to start with are Chalk Basslets. Mine is fully of character and fun to watch! I also have 2 clowns and 1 mollie that destroys all hair algae

Peeked at your tank and was excited to see what you've got in the same model as mine! The Chalk Basslet seems like a cool fish to consider. Having two clownfish, a goby or blenny, and then some other fun fish is my rough plan (eventually lol, I understand it takes time). I'll need to see about specifics to take care of algae.

I appreciate it. Honestly, as far as a clean up crew, I’d go with a bunch of trocus snails, a conch of some sort, and add Mexican turbo snails if you start getting thick hair algae

 

[WindowsTen]

I appreciate it. Honestly, as far as a clean up crew, I’d go with a bunch of trocus snails, a conch of some sort, and add Mexican turbo snails if you start getting thick hair algae

Okay! Thank you, I will be writing all this down on my doc :]!

 

[Lou City Reefing]

I appreciate it. Honestly, as far as a clean up crew, I’d go with a bunch of trocus snails, a conch of some sort, and add Mexican turbo snails if you start getting thick hair algae

Okay! Thank you, I will be writing all this down on my doc :]!

I’m no expert by any means, but can always provide advice about what’s worked for me specifically for this tank!

 

[WindowsTen]

I’m no expert by any means, but can always provide advice about what’s worked for me specifically for this tank!

I appreciate it! I've simply got a list of recommendations to go through and see what I think will work the best. Lots of helpful people here!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

In my 20g I had a fire fish, two Picasso clowns, and a yellow watchman goby. Never had any issues with aggression

 

[Zionas]

Don’t limit yourself to Ocellaris and Percula. I’m not a fan of any designer strain so there’s me. The Pink and Orange Skunks are relatively peaceful choices (so I heard) if you’re looking for something different. Shrimp and Goby pair, you either want Tiger Pistol or Randall’s Pistol. For the smaller Gobies, choose Randall’s. For something like a Yellow Watchman, either is fine. Just know that the Tigers get larger and some get annoyed by them digging and moving rocks more, as well as making a more audible snapping noise.

You can add a 4th and final fish, I’d be tempted to do something like a Royal Gramma or Yellow Assessor, both are available captive bred. Since this is a 20G and you already have a Clown pair, I’d get the Gramma which is a bit more assertive.

So that gives you:
(2) Clowns (personally partial to the Skunks)
(1) Royal Gramma
(1) Shrimp / Goby pair of your choice

I don’t know if this would be pushing it, but if you really wanted to maybe you could add another very small perching / rock dweller? Biota has the Starry Gobies, Yellow Clown / Green Clown Goby, Cleaner Goby (captive bred).