Stocking Ideas for 10g Reef tank

[King Sweetcorn]

What are some good stocking ideas for a 10g reef tank?

 

[GHOSTLY]

Cleaner shrimp, randals goby shrimp pair, maybe 2 occe clowns but many people share mixed opinions on the gallon size for clowns. Ive personally had a pair alongside a firefish and dottyback in a 13.5 but that was pretty stocked. I'd say if you have less rock then go for it

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I’ve got a damsel in my 10 gallon macro algae tank. I would keep it to 1-2 fish in that size tank myself.

 

[The Ugly Phase]

i would do a species tank and do a blue spotted jawfish (look into it might need a bigger tank) would also need a deep sandbed

 

[Gene the Reefer]

I'm currently running a 14 gallon, here's my stock list: yasha goby, candy cane pistol shrimp, tailspot blenny, pajama cardinal, and a occ clown. I have no aggression whatsoever

 

[King Sweetcorn]

Cleaner shrimp, randals goby shrimp pair, maybe 2 occe clowns but many people share mixed opinions on the gallon size for clowns. Ive personally had a pair alongside a firefish and dottyback in a 13.5 but that was pretty stocked. I'd say if you have less rock then go for it

Did you have problems with to much ammonia with that many fish?

 

[X-37B]

My 15 is 9.5g's of actual water.
Transparent cave goby and Pajama cardinal.
35 mixed reef corals.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Neon gobies, or any other small goby breed, are good options. Damsel isn't a bad option if that is your main fish, as they can be very aggressive.

 

[King Sweetcorn]

My 15 is 9.5g's of actual water.
Transparent cave goby and Pajama cardinal.
35 mixed reef corals.

How many gallons of actual water would a 10g be with live rock.

 

[X-37B]

How many gallons of actual water would a 10g be with live rock.

Depends on how much sand and rock. My 15 has 20lbs rock plus sand.
I would say around 6g's.

 

[exnisstech]

Ammonia typically isn't a problem on a cycled tank unless there is some type of die off and even then its not common.

 

[King Sweetcorn]

Depends on how much sand and rock. My 15 has 20lbs rock plus sand.
I would say around 6g's.

So do I have to find fish species for 6g instead of 10g? Because there's only actually around 6g of water?

 

[King Sweetcorn]

Ammonia typically isn't a problem on a cycled tank unless there is some type of die off and even then its not common.

Thank you.

 

[kizzy89]

Here's what nano reef says, its an older site but heres some ideas. Do a lot of research first but this should help narrow it down.

 

[kizzy89]

The 6-7 gallon just said Ocellaris and Percula clownfish

 

[Bear22]

In my 11 gallon I have:
Yasha + pistol shrimp
Redheaded Goby
Yellow Clown Goby

All get along just fine and each has claimed their own niche.

 

[X-37B]

So do I have to find fish species for 6g instead of 10g? Because there's only actually around 6g of water?

I would focus on 1 fish, 2 max.
Just keep in mind how big they will get when full grown.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Years ago I had a designer Clown, a Yellow Tail Damsel (both introduced at the same time) and a Coral Banded Shrimp in a 7-gallon AIO tank. It worked out well.

 

[Polymate3D]

Hello

I have been working on a form of calculator to try and figure out what would be the best 'limits' to stick too. I am going to use the display area of a Fluval EVO as a baseline as you haven't given us your dimensions or tank. My calculator uses the insight @Jay Hemdal has done with this fish size guidance on here:

Estimating the Need for Swimming Space for Aquarium Fishes

My calculator is a little more conservative, but also tries to consider a bit more. Take this info with a pinch of salt!

45x29x30cm = 39L / 3.8 = 10.2 US Gallons

Estimated maximum stocking = 33cm
Suggested for beginner = 22cm

Active Fish (Wrasse, Dwarf Angelfish) :
8cm Max Size
Max Qty = 2

Manoverable Fish (Clownfish, Dartfish)
9cm Max Size
Max Qty = 3

Stationery Fish (Gobies, Blennies, Pipefish)
11cm Max Size
Max Qty = 3

As for what to go for, decide what your going for. A pair of captive bred Ocellaris Clownfish would work, and I have a pair in a EVO with a Azure Damsel for over a year so far, no problem. In the past I had a pair of wild caught clownfish and they were a lot more aggressive to anything.

A Cherub Angelfish could also work as 'main' fish, but it will be so active and territorial, the only other things you could really put in with it would be a blenny or a goby.

More peaceful, a pair of Bangai Cardinals could work, or a pair of Bluestripe Pipefish if your looking for a slow and more species specific aquarium.

If this is your 1st marine aquarium, I would personally go with a Damsel from the Chrysiptera family. There colourful, cost effective and super hardy. Damsels have a reputation of being very aggressive but I have found the Azure and Emperor Damsels to be very tame.

Other notable recommendations:

Biota Captive Bred Mandarin (eating frozen and with slower tank mates. Feed small and often
)
Firefish/Dartfish

Royal Gramma (Keep separate from other territorial fish in my experience)

Court Jester Goby (Help with Algae in small aquariums)

Summarised Answer:

2 or 3 fish maximum, depending on what the fish is and size.

Stick ideally below 9cm maximum size (80% of Fishbase value)

If possible, start with a hardier fish 1st

- Paul

​

 

[King Sweetcorn]

Hello

I have been working on a form of calculator to try and figure out what would be the best 'limits' to stick too. I am going to use the display area of a Fluval EVO as a baseline as you haven't given us your dimensions or tank. My calculator uses the insight @Jay Hemdal has done with this fish size guidance on here:

Estimating the Need for Swimming Space for Aquarium Fishes

My calculator is a little more conservative, but also tries to consider a bit more. Take this info with a pinch of salt!

45x29x30cm = 39L / 3.8 = 10.2 US Gallons

Estimated maximum stocking = 33cm
Suggested for beginner = 22cm

Active Fish (Wrasse, Dwarf Angelfish) :
8cm Max Size
Max Qty = 2

Manoverable Fish (Clownfish, Dartfish)
9cm Max Size
Max Qty = 3

Stationery Fish (Gobies, Blennies, Pipefish)
11cm Max Size
Max Qty = 3

As for what to go for, decide what your going for. A pair of captive bred Ocellaris Clownfish would work, and I have a pair in a EVO with a Azure Damsel for over a year so far, no problem. In the past I had a pair of wild caught clownfish and they were a lot more aggressive to anything.

A Cherub Angelfish could also work as 'main' fish, but it will be so active and territorial, the only other things you could really put in with it would be a blenny or a goby.

More peaceful, a pair of Bangai Cardinals could work, or a pair of Bluestripe Pipefish if your looking for a slow and more species specific aquarium.

If this is your 1st marine aquarium, I would personally go with a Damsel from the Chrysiptera family. There colourful, cost effective and super hardy. Damsels have a reputation of being very aggressive but I have found the Azure and Emperor Damsels to be very tame.

Other notable recommendations:

Biota Captive Bred Mandarin (eating frozen and with slower tank mates. Feed small and often
)
Firefish/Dartfish

Royal Gramma (Keep separate from other territorial fish in my experience)

Court Jester Goby (Help with Algae in small aquariums)

Summarised Answer:

2 or 3 fish maximum, depending on what the fish is and size.

Stick ideally below 9cm maximum size (80% of Fishbase value)

If possible, start with a hardier fish 1st

- Paul

​

Thanks!