2 clowns and a helfrichi?

[ATC]

Ok so I finally convinced the wife to let me have my zoa garden tank and was Generously gifted a small portion of the buffet in our dining room next to one of her planted tanks after weeks of research I finally settled on a Fiji 22.5 AIO. Tank is through its cycle in record pace 3 weeks and it’s clearing ammonia within a few hours so now it’s time to start thinking about live stock. I really want a helfrichi which I know is good to go in a tank that size but was also wanting a pair of designer clowns I just don’t want to cram to many fish in there this tank is more about the zoas and not the fish. I estimate the main display to be around 18 gallons and the rest of the volume is in my aio portion. Any input would be awesome. And if it’s not enough space for 2 clowns maybe just 1 and a helfrichi. I’m open to suggestions. I will eventually add a Chaeto reactor under neath. I’ve already upgraded the return pump to accommodate it and will run a skimmer if needed. This is my smallest saltwater tank so still learning the nano tanks so any input anywhere would be helpful.

 

[nereefpat]

I *think that a pair of clowns will take over that tank. If you really value the firefish, I would get that and maybe a small bottom dweller, like clown goby.

PS. I would get a lid. Firefish are infamous jumpers

 

[ATC]

I *think that a pair of clowns will take over that tank. If you really value the firefish, I would get that and maybe a small bottom dweller, like clown goby.

PS. I would get a lid. Firefish are infamous jumpers

Lids already on its way I lost a fire fish on my first 90gallon lesson learned lol my helfrichi is priority so if clowns are out I’m not heartbroken.

 

[Tcook]

I agree. Clowns would be bullies. I had a pair in my 20 AIO temporarily and the firefish would hide all the time. A pink streak wrasse would be a nice fish for that tank.

 

[Sharkbait19]

My female clown went evil in my nano - it can be done but safest not to have one.
Firefish is definitely good, so is a shrimp-goby pair. Royal gramma look great and are super fun.

 

[ATC]

I’ve got grammas in my other tanks love them super interesting personalities. Maybe a black cap basslet if I could find one

 

[i cant think]

maybe a small bottom dweller, like clown goby.

I’d just like to add, the species in the genus gobiodon are not bottom dwellers. They are found in pairs or groups of 5-20 in the branches of coral. Bottom dwelling gobies are more likely to be the firefish, stonogobiops species, Koumansetta species (Even these guys are often hovering above the sand Ed in the lower water column instead of against the sand).

I agree on the comments about the clownfish, even just one will be aggressive in that size tank. I wouldn’t do it as firefish (Especially helfrichi and magnifica) hate any aggression. Even just a small amount and it won’t be out and instead hide.
What I’d recommend is another fish from gobiidae and then leave the tank to settle then think on if you can have another fish. As for what I’d recommend for starting out:
- Stonogobiops yasha
- Gobiodon okinawae
- Gobiodon astrangulatus
- Gobiodon histrio
- Gobiodon acicularis
- Amblyleotris randalli
- Amblyleotris gutatta
- Amblyleotris aurora
- Amblyleotris wheeleri
- Trimma rubromaculatus
- Eviota atriventris
- Trimma cana
- Trimma benjamini
- Trimma striatum
- Trimma hollemani

I’d recommend going with 2-3 if you go with Eviota but if you go with one of the other species, only grab one. Eviota and possibly Trimma are the big families when it comes to communal species, the rest are mainly solitary animals or found in pairs in the wild.