15 Gallon Tank Stocking Ideas

[Senteenel]

Hello,

I'm fairly new to saltwater fishes and I right now I have a 15 gallon tank that are in the middle of the cycling. Inside it are a pair of clownfish. I'm already at the end stages of my cycling and am thinking of adding new fishes somewhere in 2-3 months when I'm certain that the cycle is finished.

I am using an oversized canister filter that's rated for 30 gallons, according to my LFS. The two clownfish are juveniles and are about as big as my thumb. I'm really interested at a pistol shrimp and a watchman goby pair but I'm worried that my tank couldn't handle it. I'm also looking forward to adding anemones and corals but that's way down the road.

Plus, any suggestions on the cleaner crew? Thanks.

 

[Arlen nemeth]

Hello,

I'm fairly new to saltwater fishes and I right now I have a 15 gallon tank that are in the middle of the cycling. Inside it are a pair of clownfish. I'm already at the end stages of my cycling and am thinking of adding new fishes somewhere in 2-3 months when I'm certain that the cycle is finished.

I am using an oversized canister filter that's rated for 30 gallons, according to my LFS. The two clownfish are juveniles and are about as big as my thumb. I'm really interested at a pistol shrimp and a watchman goby pair but I'm worried that my tank couldn't handle it. I'm also looking forward to adding anemones and corals but that's way down the road.

Plus, any suggestions on the cleaner crew? Thanks.

Yea i would add some nassuris, margarita snails. Either a fire shrimp or a cleaner skunk shrimp

 

[Senteenel]

Yea i would add some nassuris, margarita snails. Either a fire shrimp or a cleaner skunk shrimp

Any idea on how many snails I need?

 

[Arlen nemeth]

Any idea on how many snails I need?

I have like 15 in my 15 gal along with a hermit crab and a fire shrimp

 

[ichthyogeek]

Agreed on the nassarius* snails, but wouldn't go for margarita snails (they're more of a subtropical species than a tropical species). I would start with 2-3 nassarius snails, and 2-3 Astraea/trochus snails, and add extra Nassarius if there's a large amount of food waste in the tank, and extra astraea/trochus snails if there's an excess of algae in the tank.

Don't trust the snail or crab per gallon rule. It usually leads to a lot of dead snails/crabs.

 

[Senteenel]

What about the new fishes I'm going to add? Do you think I have enough space to add a goby and a pistol shrimp pair?

 

[ichthyogeek]

Based on size, I’d say you’re probably fine. Probably. Just make sure to keep track of nitrates etc, since it’s three small-medium size fish in a relatively small aquarium.

 

[Senteenel]

Based on size, I’d say you’re probably fine. Probably. Just make sure to keep track of nitrates etc, since it’s three small-medium size fish in a relatively small aquarium.

Alright, thank you! I'll keep you guys updated on the aquarium.