Stocking for 15 gallon AIO aquarium.

[Oyster_-]

Hello, I was looking at getting a reef casa kit for my first saltwater aquarium (I have kept freshwater), it was the 15 gallon one here is the link: Reef Casa. (The 15 gallon option is down a bit). So I was wondering what some good fish would be and how many. I was at first thinking of clowns and a nem, but I heard some people say the clowns would be miserable in a tank that small and that nems would take over. So any help is great. Also how much harder is it to keep an aquarium that small for a beginner like me. Should I get a bigger one? I just don’t have a massive budget. Anyways thank you!

 

[fishywishy]

A couple of ocellaris clowns would be okay, maybe a small clown goby or fire goby, and cleaner shrimp. but thats all i would get.

It would be a bit small for the clowns but i don't think they’d be miserable.

It’s definitely easier to care for a bigger aquarium, and I would go bigger if you could, but if you do everything slowly and do your research it wont be that hard.

 

[Oyster_-]

A couple of ocellaris clowns would be okay, maybe a small clown goby or fire goby, and cleaner shrimp, but thats all i would get.

It would be a bit small for the clowns but i don't think they’d be miserable

Ok, thanks for the answer!

 

[fishywishy]

Ok, thanks for the answer but do you think 15 gallons is going to be a good starting point or should I try to go bigger?

Sorry, i edited my comment after you saw it, but i answered your question.

 

[Oyster_-]

Sorry, i edited my comment after you saw it, but i answered your your question.

It’s fine lol, do you think a possum wrasse would be good?

 

[fishywishy]

It’s fine lol, do you think a possum wrasse would be good?

I think it might be alright with some clowns, but you’re pushing it.

 

[Oyster_-]

I think it could be alright with some clowns, but you’re pushing it.

Ok, say I did not do any clowns could I do 3 smaller gobies and fish of that size?

 

[fishywishy]

Ok, say I did not do any clowns could I do 3 smaller gobies and fish of that size?

Depends on what gobies and the fish you’re talking about but yes.

 

[Oyster_-]

Depends on what gobies and the fish you’re talking about but yes.

Ok personally what would you put in a tank of that size?

 

[EuphyllinOHk]

If you're thinking small wrasse, you might be better off with a pink streaked wrasse over a possum wrasse. Pink Streaked wrasses are quite small and relatively peaceful, like the possum wrasse, but it seems like the pink streaked wrasse is easier to feed. By almost all accounts, it seems like the possum wrasse eats primarily copepods and doesn't take to prepared or frozen foods easily, if at all. Both have been known to eat pests though so very nice fish.

If you're going to go with a pair of clowns, look into getting an established pair or look to get a pair where one is clearly larger than the other. Clowns sorting out their pairing can get aggressive and you will sometimes read about how people have had to separate the bully female from the male. If you can take steps to avoid those stresses, it would be great. Read on other people's experiences because, while you can do a pair in a 15 gallon, managing aggression will be something to keep in mind with less space. Not a huge worry, just something to think about.

I don't know a whole lot about gobies, but so long as they aren't inclined to live in the same regions of the tank, they may be ok. Not quite a goby, but maybe consider a tail spot blenny. They stay small and have a lot of personality, and they may stay out of the way of a watchman goby.

 

[fishywishy]

Ok personally what would you put in a tank of that size?

Probably a couple of clowns, fire goby, and a cleaner shrimp.

 

[hart24601]

I love small tanks, better in every way! Ok that’s controversial but I think it’s true.

Key is picking reasonable livestock as you are doing and not make it into something it’s not. 11” is pretty shallow but should be ok.

FWIW my IM15. Easy peasy tank. Pair of orange clowns and mandrians

 

[Oyster_-]

I love small tanks, better in every way! Ok that’s controversial but I think it’s true.

Key is picking reasonable livestock as you are doing and not make it into something it’s not. 11” is pretty shallow but should be ok.

FWIW my IM15. Easy peasy tank. Pair of orange clowns and mandrians

Wow, those corals are very nice the clowns are also very pretty.

 

[Oyster_-]

Key is picking reasonable livestock as you are doing and not make it into something it’s not. 11” is pretty shallow but should be ok.

It’s actually 14” tall for the 15 gallon I believe you were looking at the 12 gallon one.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I agree small tanks are better.... My 15 gallon has a royal gramma, 3 clown gobies (yellow, green, and black), redhead goby, neon goby, masked goby. They've been together for about 3 years

 

[Oyster_-]

I agree small tanks are better.... My 15 gallon has a royal gramma, 3 clown gobies (yellow, green, and black), redhead goby, neon goby, masked goby. They've been together for about 3 years

What is your maintenance with that many fish?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

What is your maintenance with that many fish?

It sounds like a lot of fish, but the 6 gobies won't get larger than an inch. Basically, the 6 gobies put together are as big as the royal gramma.

I run this tank with powerheads and weekly water 5 gallon water changes, and a small hob filter to run carbon. I feed 3 times a day, its a 3 year old tank. Sorry for the bad pic

 

[Oyster_-]

It sounds like a lot of fish, but the 6 gobies won't get larger than an inch. Basically, the 6 gobies put together are as big as the royal gramma.

I run this tank with powerheads and weekly water 5 gallon water changes, and a small hob filter to run carbon. I feed 3 times a day, its a 3 year old tank. Sorry for the bad pic

Nice tank!

 

[Oyster_-]

It sounds like a lot of fish, but the 6 gobies won't get larger than an inch. Basically, the 6 gobies put together are as big as the royal gramma.

I run this tank with powerheads and weekly water 5 gallon water changes, and a small hob filter to run carbon. I feed 3 times a day, its a 3 year old tank. Sorry for the bad pic

Are the gobies really only an inch? I thought they got bigger.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Are the gobies really only an inch? I thought they got bigger.

There are hundreds of different gobies and they all grow different sizes. Clown gobies are less than one inch even, but engineer goby grows up to 12 inches. It’s good to ask these questions, always research and be informed before the purchase.