Possible Stocking Ideas

[Shovelman]

So im finally ready to buy all my equipment for my 20 tall softy tank, but i never did give much thought to if i wanted actual fish..lol (im really into inverts and crustaceans) so what would be a good idea for some activity while the porcelain crabs and shrimp aren't out?

Yes this is my first salt tank but ive been researching and going in to learn from my REALLY nice lfs for over 2 years...and of course learning from all of you as well!

At first, probably like most beginners, there was the desperate yearn for some perculra clowns, but since Ive been researching so much Ive found them to be not as exciting as i once thought... so just wondering what other fish might be recommended for an...(not total noob research wise, but experience wise i guess) guy starting up my 20 gallon tall tank (going to have skimmer [nano reef octopus] and possibly a mini fugue HOB filter box)..... open to suggestions!

ps: im not like extremely opposed to clowns, im just curious as to what other fish could be HAPPY and content in such small quarters...

 

[ALW]

Ok where do I begin. You are looking at around 4-5ish fish depending on the type of fish and size (eg you cant really place 5 Angelfish in their but on the other hand you can easily have more than 5 Neon Gobies in).

Right what fish can you put in a 20g tank. Ok here is a quick list just to give you some examples.

Flameback Angelfish
Cherub Angelfish
Coral Beauty
Rusty Angelfish
Lemonpeel Angelfish
Flame Angelfish
Midnight Angelfish
Pearlscale Angelfish
Yellow Assessor
Blue Assessor
Chalk Bass
Bicolor Blenny
Midas Blenny
Banggai Cardinal
False Percula Clowns
Percula Clownfish
Yellowtail Damsel
Jewel Damsel
Allen’s Damsel
Purple Firefish
Firefish
Neon Dottyback
Orchid Dottyback
Bicolor Dottyback
Strawberry Dottyback
Orangespotted Goby
Randall’s Goby
Rainford’s Goby
Yellow Rock Goby
Neon Goby
Highfin Goby
Royal Gramma
Blackcap Gramma
Flame Hawkfish
Longnose Hawkfish
Fu Manchu Lionfish
Whitespotted Toby
Valentini Toby
Exquisite Fairy Wrasse
Scott’s Fairy Wrasse
Carpenter’s Flasher Wrasse
Filamented Flasher Wrasse
McCosker’s Flasher Wrasse

 

[Shovelman]

Ok where do I begin. You are looking at around 4-5ish fish depending on the type of fish and size (eg you cant really place 5 Angelfish in their but on the other hand you can easily have more than 5 Neon Gobies in).

Right what fish can you put in a 20g tank. Ok here is a quick list just to give you some examples.

Flameback Angelfish
Cherub Angelfish
Coral Beauty
Rusty Angelfish
Lemonpeel Angelfish
Flame Angelfish
Midnight Angelfish
Pearlscale Angelfish
Yellow Assessor
Blue Assessor
Chalk Bass
Bicolor Blenny
Midas Blenny
Banggai Cardinal
False Percula Clowns
Percula Clownfish
Yellowtail Damsel
Jewel Damsel
Allen’s Damsel
Purple Firefish
Firefish
Neon Dottyback
Orchid Dottyback
Bicolor Dottyback
Strawberry Dottyback
Orangespotted Goby
Randall’s Goby
Rainford’s Goby
Yellow Rock Goby
Neon Goby
Highfin Goby
Royal Gramma
Blackcap Gramma
Flame Hawkfish
Longnose Hawkfish
Fu Manchu Lionfish
Whitespotted Toby
Valentini Toby
Exquisite Fairy Wrasse
Scott’s Fairy Wrasse
Carpenter’s Flasher Wrasse
Filamented Flasher Wrasse
McCosker’s Flasher Wrasse

wow is this really true that all of these species (most from this list probably having to be single inhabitants due to size and aggression) can really be maintained in a 20 gallon aquarium? I thought most of the dwarf angels needed alot more space? Gobi's, clowns and such i can understand but i dont know about the dwarf fuzzy lion fish.... my friend is nuts for lion fish and she'd murder me if i kept one in a 20 gallon..

 

[ALW]

All of the above are considered Nano fish. The Fu Manchu grows to around 10cm, and are fine in a 20g. Just dont house with any smaller fish or ornamental shrimps as they will become the Lionfish's dinner.

An example for you could be

A Pair of Clowns
A Cherub Angelfish
A Midas Blenny
and a Neon Goby

 

[Shovelman]

lol i just read your name Andy and remembered id have talked to you about it in the chat hahaha

 

[GrayScale]

Ever considered a shrimp/goby pair?

 

[Jillyrai]

Any advice for a 50g tall tank? Starting with fish (fake rocks to start), working up to inverts...

 

[GrayScale]

Any advice for a 50g tall tank? Starting with fish (fake rocks to start), working up to inverts...

Start up a new thread so were not hijacking this one.

 

[Shovelman]

Any advice for a 50g tall tank? Starting with fish (fake rocks to start), working up to inverts...

Start up a new thread so were not hijacking this one.

lol And grayscale yes i have! Idk what kinda of goby though..so many choices hah