2 clownfish add royal gramma or cardinal?

[commanderwho]

Hello,

I have a 20 gallon waterbox with 2 clownfish about 1 inch each.
adding a third fish would be a royal gramma or a banggai cardinal fish.

I would like the pros and cons of which fish is suited better with the two clownfish. Long term would there be any aggression as they grow?
I like the pop of color from the gramma.
The cardinal is more unique and is out more.

 

[JCTReefer]

I’ve had a gramma with clownfish in every system I’ve ran. No issues there. I’d be partial to the Gramma. Ha They’re beautiful fish. Keep to themselves. Usually hanging out by their little cave or nook. Sometimes a bit reclusive. Mines always out and about though. Especially when foods involved. Been a long while since I’ve had a Banggai. The Clowns and gramma ignore each other.

 

[hds4216]

Gramma is way prettier imo. My gramma is probably my favorite fish.

 

[commanderwho]

I’ve had a gramma with clownfish in every system I’ve ran. No issues there. I’d be partial to the Gramma. Ha They’re beautiful fish. Keep to themselves. Usually hanging out by their little cave or nook. Sometimes a bit reclusive. Mines always out and about though. Especially when foods involved. Been a long while since I’ve had a Banggai. The Clowns and gramma ignore each other.

Thanks! Yea I do like the pop of color from the royal gramma. I guess I know what I’ll get now

 

[Uncle99]

Either or both, both those great selections.
The bangaii is a bit shy in a new tank, so him first, if you go with both, followed by a gramma two weeks afterwards.

 

[Oldsman]

Both good options, another choice would be the black cap basslet . Always liked its colors

 

[Dark_Knightt]

I was thinking the same thing, but I went with a bicolorblenny. I think that I would go with the gramma, or you could go with a chalk bass.

 

[Dkmoo]

if you do black cap then don't do royal gramma - both are basslet, may fight each other

.

 

[JCTReefer]

Both good options, another choice would be the black cap basslet . Always liked its colors

Agreed, Black cap would be a great option also!!! A bit more expensive, but a great option!!!

 

[commanderwho]

Either or both, both those great selections.
The bangaii is a bit shy in a new tank, so him first, if you go with both, followed by a gramma two weeks afterwards.

Nice pictures! But your tank is also very big. You don’t think 2 clowns and royal gramma and banggai cardinal is too much?

 

[Dkmoo]

4 will probably be the max for you. RG doesn't usually occupy the same swimming space as the clowns so its mostly about having having enough rockscape so that the banggai and clowns can share the same space

 

[Uncle99]

Nice pictures! But your tank is also very big. You don’t think 2 clowns and royal gramma and banggai cardinal is too much?

Nope, done that before.

 

[commanderwho]

4 will probably be the max for you. RG doesn't usually occupy the same swimming space as the clowns so its mostly about having having enough rockscape so that the banggai and clowns can share the same space

Thanks, but would I need to add a skimmer? Or anything? I don’t mind doing 10 percent water changes weekly.

 

[commanderwho]

Nope, done that before.

Does that require more maintenance? Need skimmer or anything else?

 

[Uncle99]

Nope, the skimmer is something I might add if keeping lots of corals.

We add export capabilities when our nitrates can not be kept steady.

I would just add and keep your eye on nutrients, keep both in the ranges N 2-10ppm and P 0.03-.1ppm

 

[yababo]

Reef crystals for the last 10 years. They work just fine and have not seen much difference when I switched to "higher" brands.