Suitable Fish

[SinkyShippy]

I have a 20 gallon tank. I plan on getting two clownfish, one tailspot blenny, and another fish. Could you guys make a recommendation on that other fish? Would a royal Gramma work?

 

[Jekyl]

Something small and 6 months after you add the first fish

 

[SinkyShippy]

Something small and 6 months after you add the first fish

Would a royal gramma work?

 

[Jekyl]

Should have them in at least a 30 gallon I think

 

[Pbh-reef]

I think a royal gramma could work with those fish in a 20 but it may become aggressive toward the blenny if the blenny gets too close to its cave. How much rock work do you have? Will the gramma have space to have a cave that it can protect? Is it a 20 long or high?

A yellow assessor or swalesi basslet are more peaceful choices. You could also do a Pygmy geometric hawkfish. I understand the appeal of the gramma for you since it’s cheap, hardy and colorful.

 

[Pbh-reef]

Also welcome to reef2reef!

 

[SinkyShippy]

I think a royal gramma could work with those fish in a 20 but it may become aggressive toward the blenny if the blenny gets too close to its cave. How much rock work do you have? Will the gramma have space to have a cave that it can protect? Is it a 20 long or high?

A yellow assessor or swalesi basslet are more peaceful choices. You could also do a Pygmy geometric hawkfish. I understand the appeal of the gramma for you since it’s cheap, hardy and colorful.

It's a 20 high. I have 15 pounds of live rock. Have not started placing the live rock yet as I'm still in the curing process. I'm just trying to come up with a plan.

 

[Pbh-reef]

Awesome. I think in a 20 high you’re more likely to see the gramma defending its home cause it’s less horizontal space. But I do think it’s possible that the gramma will work out well.

Check out the fish I mentioned above. Other fish you could consider are an azure damsel or springers dAmsel (but no other damsel), neon goby, pink streaked wrasse or one of the possum wrasses (these wrasses have tons of personality and are very peaceful fish!)

 

[SinkyShippy]

Awesome. I think in a 20 high you’re more likely to see the gramma defending its home cause it’s less horizontal space. But I do think it’s possible that the gramma will work out well.

Check out the fish I mentioned above. Other fish you could consider are an azure damsel or springers dAmsel (but no other damsel), neon goby, pink streaked wrasse or one of the possum wrasses (these wrasses have tons of personality and are very peaceful fish!)

I will do! Thanks a ton!

 

[Pbh-reef]

of course! The way I think of a gramma is that they defend their territory of their cave and around their cave, but they aren't belligerent so once a fish leaves their space they leave it alone. If you do get a gramma then I suggest adding it after the blenny so the blenny can find safe places in the tank.

 

[SinkyShippy]

of course! The way I think of a gramma is that they defend their territory of their cave and around their cave, but they aren't belligerent so once a fish leaves their space they leave it alone. If do get a gramma then I suggest adding it after the blenny so the blenny.

I planned on doing the clownfish first, blenny second, and the other fish third. I want to make sure the bioload isn't too high before I get the third fish.

 

[Coralreefer1]

Royal Gramma and Clowns would have a territoriality issue displaying aggression I believe, especially in that size tank. Also, you will want to add the Clowns last as it is also best to add the most aggressive fish last to your bioload.
Good luck and welcome to R2R!

 

[Pbh-reef]

I think as long as its a percula or ocellaris clown it should be ok, but no other clown species. I suggest getting them small. I am personally not a big fan of clowns in general and I would never want to have a clown in a smaller tank but so many people do it and seem to have success. I've only kept one clown in my life (a tiny clarki clown with a springer's damsel in a 20 high when I was a teenager), so I don't have tons of clownfish experience.

I think in this case there is a balance that the OP is looking for - choosing fish she wants that are also hardy and relatively inexpensive since it seems like she's newer to the hobby. From that perspective I understand wanting a blenny, clowns and a gramma in a 20 gallon and I don't think it is the worst choice. In terms of order of adding, I'm not sure, the blenny is the most peaceful, so I think adding it first is best.

Other fish to consider include a banghai or pajama cardinal, a firefish (any of the three but the red firefish is cheapest and beautiful), a shrimpgoby species with a randall's pistol shrimp

 

[Mariette]

Agree w reefer. Clowns last. Also, gramma may not be a good fit in a 20 high w the 2 clowns. I’ve had 2 (not at same time). 1 was a real jerk, 1 was mellow. So, who knows.

 

[SinkyShippy]

I r

I think as long as its a percula or ocellaris clown it should be ok, but no other clown species. I suggest getting them small. I am personally not a big fan of clowns in general and I would never want to have a clown in a smaller tank but so many people do it and seem to have success. I've only kept one clown in my life (a tiny clarki clown with a springer's damsel in a 20 high when I was a teenager), so I don't have tons of clownfish experience.

I think in this case there is a balance that the OP is looking for - choosing fish she wants that are also hardy and relatively inexpensive since it seems like she's newer to the hobby. From that perspective I understand wanting a blenny, clowns and a gramma in a 20 gallon and I don't think it is the worst choice. In terms of order of adding, I'm not sure, the blenny is the most peaceful, so I think adding it first is best.

Other fish to consider include a banghai or pajama cardinal, a firefish (any of the three but the red firefish is cheapest and beautiful), a shrimpgoby species with a randall's pistol shrimp

I really appreciate all your help. I am new which is why I'm asking all these questions. If everyone feels the Gramma won't do well then I won't get it. I will get the blenny first then. I've had multiple people recommend the firefish. I'll do whatever everyone thinks works best.

 

[SinkyShippy]

I think as long as its a percula or ocellaris clown it should be ok, but no other clown species. I suggest getting them small. I am personally not a big fan of clowns in general and I would never want to have a clown in a smaller tank but so many people do it and seem to have success. I've only kept one clown in my life (a tiny clarki clown with a springer's damsel in a 20 high when I was a teenager), so I don't have tons of clownfish experience.

I think in this case there is a balance that the OP is looking for - choosing fish she wants that are also hardy and relatively inexpensive since it seems like she's newer to the hobby. From that perspective I understand wanting a blenny, clowns and a gramma in a 20 gallon and I don't think it is the worst choice. In terms of order of adding, I'm not sure, the blenny is the most peaceful, so I think adding it first is best.

Other fish to consider include a banghai or pajama cardinal, a firefish (any of the three but the red firefish is cheapest and beautiful), a shrimpgoby species with a randall's pistol shrimp

This is irrelevant but you seem to know your stuff (to say the least) so I'm asking you haha. Do you think that this light https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/50-50-tech-led-strip-light-reef-brite.html
would work for these coral?

https://aquariumdepot.com/glove-polyps/
https://m.liveaquaria.com/product/2670/?pcatid=2670

I purchased this light awhile back so I can't really return it.

 

[Coralreefer1]

Be careful with many Gobies, Blennies, Firefish, Grammas as they are notorious jumpers.

 

[SinkyShippy]

Be careful with many Gobies, Blennies, Firefish, Grammas as they are notorious jumpers.

I purchased a glass lid

 

[Salty Lemon]

This is irrelevant but you seem to know your stuff (to say the least) so I'm asking you haha. Do you think that this light https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/50-50-tech-led-strip-light-reef-brite.html
would work for these coral?

https://aquariumdepot.com/glove-polyps/
https://m.liveaquaria.com/product/2670/?pcatid=2670

I purchased this light awhile back so I can't really return it.

I'm far from the queen of light tech -- but the two corals you have listed are easy to care for. The very first coral I put in my tank was a duncan and he has grown like crazy. I have corals I spent tons of money on, but he is still my favorite. The glove polyps will do well too -- but beware...they have a tendency to spread all over the place. They can end up being a nuisance. Until they get out of control, they are very pretty.

 

[SinkyShippy]

I'm far from the queen of light tech -- but the two corals you have listed are easy to care for. The very first coral I put in my tank was a duncan and he has grown like crazy. I have corals I spent tons of money on, but he is still my favorite. The glove polyps will do well too -- but beware...they have a tendency to spread all over the place. They can end up being a nuisance. Until they get out of control, they are very pretty.

Is there anyway to control glove polyps? What if I put them on their own little rock?