IM 25 Gallon Lagoon

[Bubba12]

Hi all, I’m back to the hobby after about a decade. My wife was never a fan, but suggested I get back into it with a smaller tank. My kids and I just went on our first dive a few weeks ago and they are hooked. If I knock this one out of the park she has okay’d my dream 180 SPS build (I’m thinking Pro Clear 230).
This is a IM 25 gallon lagoon with Mightyjet 326, Jaebo SLW-20, 21” AI Blade grow, and 22 lbs of rock. I’m planning to keep corals simple but brightly colored with Zoa garden, Ricordea, and LPS. Any recommendations would be much appreciated.
Tank is finally cycled and I will likely be adding a pair of Clowns in the next day or two. I’ve been combing the forum and YouTube for sticking suggestions and have seen 4-5 fish as the common suggestion. My last tank was a 120. I haven’t stocked anything this small. Below is my ideal stocking list, but I’m hoping to get everyone’s opinion as my dream tank may rest on this project. I’m very adaptable with this list. Thanks in advance.

CUC (probably add as needed)
Blood Red Fire Shrimp
Pair of Ocellaris Clownfish
Royal Gramma ( I’m slightly concerned with territorial issues)
Purple Firefish
Yellow Watchman Goby
Tiger Pistol Shrimp (Not sure on this one, do you prefer the Candy Shrimp?)

 

[Anna K]

Royal Gramma ( I’m slightly concerned with territorial issues)

I added mine with all of my other fish at the same time, and haven't seen any territorial issues at all. I think its more territorial when another gramma is added.

 

[Bubba12]

I added mine with all of my other fish at the same time, and haven't seen any territorial issues at all. I think its more territorial when another gramma is added.

Good to hear. I just read a few horror stories on the forum. Do you think this is an appropriate stocking list? Planning 10-20% water change per week.

 

[Bohemian Waxwing]

Here’s what I had at peak stocking:

2 occellaris
1 royal gramma
1 bicolour blenny
1 yellow stripe goby
1 red face goby
1 Pavo damsel

These were all captive bred so they all grew up together. They definitely outgrew that tank, though.

My biggest concern is the fire fish, they are so timid. I would add it first.

 

[Bubba12]

Honestly the Firefish was an afterthought. I choose it for the colors. I thought it would appeal to my family. Do you have any better suggestions.

 

[Bohemian Waxwing]

Pink streak wrasse
Panama cardinal
Any of the blennys
Flameback angel

Captive bred are a bit more expensive but all come in as juveniles and gives you a chance to raise them together.

Avoid Chromis, most wrasses, most angelfish, any tangs, most damsels. Don’t get sucked into the 6 line wrasse trap, and I would personally avoid mandarins and scooter Blennys unless you are prepared for the work of potentially feeding them pods on a regular basis.

 

[Shanel]

I have a royal gramma and 2 purple fire fish. They get along great. I think the purple firefish are great overall. I have had some in the past that did nothing but hide. These 2 are out swimming with everyone.

Here is the community:
Fairy wrasse
Cleaner wrasse
Sixline wrasse
Golden-headed goby
Green chromis- 3
PJ cardinal- 3
Banggai cardinals - 4
Purple firefish - 2
Royal gramma

The sixline seems to chase the fairy but they don't fight
Chromis do chase each other.
Golden-headed goby loves to be cleaned.

 

[Bohemian Waxwing]

I have a royal gramma and 2 purple fire fish. They get along great. I think the purple firefish are great overall. I have had some in the past that did nothing but hide. These 2 are out swimming with everyone.

Here is the community:
Fairy wrasse
Cleaner wrasse
Sixline wrasse
Golden-headed goby
Green chromis- 3
PJ cardinal- 3
Banggai cardinals - 4
Purple firefish - 2
Royal gramma

The sixline seems to chase the fairy but they don't fight
Chromis do chase each other.
Golden-headed goby loves to be cleaned.

giving advice based on your fishes behaviour in 10x the size tank is probably not a good idea.

A 6line in a 25g is a very different fish from a 6line in a 260g…

 

[Shanel]

giving advice based on your fishes behaviour in 10x the size tank is probably not a good idea.

A 6line in a 25g is a very different fish from a 6line in a 260g…

Sorry you feel this way. My advise was to address the royal gramma and purple firefish. My current tanks are not the only ones I have ever owned. I have had plenty of different size tanks over the years, mostly settled on 40b. I have had these 2 types of fish in small tanks for years without issues. But what do I know? I'll take a pass on the sixline debate.

 

[Tahoe61]

My IM 25 lagoon will have.

1. Royal Gramma 1.
2. Naked Clown 1.
3. Neon Goby 1.

All of which I already have in a holding tank. Last fish will probably be a Damsel or Pygmy Wrasse.
Initially the Royal Gramma was territorial, I moved the scape around and put up a mirror for 3 days, problem solved.

 

[Shnetts]

Honestly the Firefish was an afterthought. I choose it for the colors.

I have a firefish, sixline, 2x clowns, neon dotty back and a pygmy cherub in my IM 25 and they all get along great, my best advice for a 6line is to get him last and try to find a small one. Ive never run into problems with them.

 

[Bubba12]

Thanks for all the advice. My take from this is all tanks are slightly different and will take some trial and error.

 

[TheNative192]

Following along. Any updates. I just picked up the same tank! :D