20gal stocking

[Emma_fish]

Ok so I have an 81L (around 20gallons) aquarium and I have never kept marine before so I’m unsure what to stock with I’m thinking
2x ocellaris clownfish
1x emerald crab
And I don’t know what else here is a picture of my tank it isn’t completely full because I didn’t get enough water from the fish shop getting more tomorrow and still cloudy from the sand even though I rinsed it

 

[Chrisfish]

welcome to R2R, I like your rock scape and 2 clown fish and an emerald crab sounds good after your tank has cycled. You'll probably want to add a CUC (clean up crew) hermit crabs and some snails, they help keep the tank clean.

 

[Emma_fish]

welcome to R2R, I like your rock scape and 2 clown fish and an emerald crab sounds good after your tank has cycled. You'll probably want to add a CUC (clean up crew) hermit crabs and some snails, they help keep the tank clean.

I was thinking maybe one or two other fish any ideas ? I like the sound of hermit crabs or maybe a tuxedo sea urchin for clean up crew

 

[Chrisfish]

I was thinking maybe one or two other fish any ideas ? I like the sound of hermit crabs or maybe a tuxedo sea urchin for clean up crew

Any of the small gobies, I have a mated pair of Blue neon gobies, they're awesome little fish and they like to clean the other fish, A goby and pistol shrimp pair are a lot of fun too.

 

[vetteguy53081]

i would start out by saying " Limited".
Firefish goby
6 lined wrasse
watchman goby
tailspot blenny

 

[Suohhen]

Welcome to the hobby! You have picked a very crazy time to jump in but 20gal is a reasonable choice and you are very wise/well informed to ask for advice on stocking because it is not simple. As Chris points out gobies/blennies are about the extent of the list. The biggest thing I can say is be cautious with clownfish. They can be very aggressive, however their territory can be as small as a single anemone, coral or rock or as large as the entire tank, which isn't much of a stretch in a small tank.
So what I would do personally is add whatever you want to keep with the clownfish first. Or you could go the route Vette is hinting at and add another fish as aggressive as a clownfish, in the six line wrasse. This is honestly the best strategy if you want to put all the fish at the same time or can't wait to put the clownfish.

 

[Suohhen]

Welcome to the hobby! You have picked a very crazy time to jump in but 20gal is a reasonable choice and you are very wise/well informed to ask for advice on stocking because it is not simple. As Chris points out gobies/blennies are about the extent of the list. The biggest thing I can say is be cautious with clownfish. They can be very aggressive, however their territory can be as small as a single anemone, coral or rock or as large as the entire tank, which isn't much of a stretch in a small tank.
So what I would do personally is add whatever you want to keep with the clownfish first. Or you could go the route Vette is hinting at and add another fish as aggressive as a clownfish, in the six line wrasse. This is honestly the best strategy if you want to put all the fish at the same time or can't wait to put the clownfish.

 

[Suohhen]

Sorry double post

 

[Emma_fish]

Any of the small gobies, I have a mated pair of Blue neon gobies, they're awesome little fish and they like to clean the other fish, A goby and pistol shrimp pair are a lot of fun too.

Sounds great

 

[Emma_fish]

Welcome to the hobby! You have picked a very crazy time to jump in but 20gal is a reasonable choice and you are very wise/well informed to ask for advice on stocking because it is not simple. As Chris points out gobies/blennies are about the extent of the list. The biggest thing I can say is be cautious with clownfish. They can be very aggressive, however their territory can be as small as a single anemone, coral or rock or as large as the entire tank, which isn't much of a stretch in a small tank.
So what I would do personally is add whatever you want to keep with the clownfish first. Or you could go the route Vette is hinting at and add another fish as aggressive as a clownfish, in the six line wrasse. This is honestly the best strategy if you want to put all the fish at the same time or can't wait to put the clownfish.

Ok sounds good think I would put the crab and whatever else I decide (probably small goby or many fire fish) first then wait a week or two but I want to add the most hardy fish first and I think the clowns are more hardy over the crab but I’m not sure thanks for the advice

 

[Emma_fish]

i would start out by saying " Limited".
Firefish goby
6 lined wrasse
watchman goby
tailspot blenny

I love love love the watchman gobys is my tank big enough for one I’ve seen they need 30 gal I also like the starfish but they all need big tanks

 

[Suohhen]

I think the clowns are more hardy over the crab but I’m not sure thanks for the advice

You seem to have a good understanding of this stuff, how long have you been keeping fish? Your plan is great I would amend to two weeks or whenever the fish is healthy, recognizes you as the feeder, and eating with vigor, whichever is longer.
Clownfish are certainly one of the most hearty fish we have in this hobby in part because they are pretty much always tank bred and have been for a long time. There are various species of gobies/blennies which are now being tank bred as well.

 

[Suohhen]

I love love love the watchman gobys is my tank big enough for one I’ve seen they need 30 gal I also like the starfish but they all need big tanks

There are quite a few different watchman gobies so i can't say for sure. I only have experience keeping Diamond Gobies and I would say it wouldn't be a good idea because they have a reputation for being nowhere near as hardy as the industry suggests. Also they really benefit a lot from a mature sandbed. 30 gal is a min recommendation for a lot of fish and I personally would've hesitate to keep many of these fish in your 20, and certainly the diamond gets a lot of it's reputation from being a very peaceful fish used for a purpose of cleaning the sandbed and thus often gets thrown in after the rest of the fish get established.
If you love watchman gobies so much I'd say this. If you're dedicated to making sure you find a fish that is readily eating, feed twice a day, and prepared to wait longer before the fish is ready to handle some tankmates than you have my endorsement.

 

[Emma_fish]

You seem to have a good understanding of this stuff, how long have you been keeping fish? Your plan is great I would amend to two weeks or whenever the fish is healthy, recognizes you as the feeder, and eating with vigor, whichever is longer.
Clownfish are certainly one of the most hearty fish we have in this hobby in part because they are pretty much always tank bred and have been for a long time. There are various species of gobies/blennies which are now being tank bred as well.

I have only been keeping fish properly for around a year now to is is my first saltwater tank I do do a lot of research though

 

[Emma_fish]

Ok then I will wait and see about the watchman goby in a month or so

 

[Tamberav]

I love love love the watchman gobys is my tank big enough for one I’ve seen they need 30 gal I also like the starfish but they all need big tanks

The watchmen that pair with shrimp would be fine but don't do any of the sandsifting watchman's.

I would do around 4 fish in a 20g.

 

[Emma_fish]

The watchmen that pair with shrimp would be fine but don't do any of the sandsifting watchman's.

I would do around 4 fish in a 20g.

So can I have this kind of goby or would the smaller one with the bigger head be better suited ?

 

[Zionas]

I would add a small goby and a Royal Gramma. Yellow Watchman or a congener should be fine.

 

[Emma_fish]

I would add a small goby and a Royal Gramma. Yellow Watchman or a congener should be fine.

Could I have a clown goby ?

 

[PicassoClown04]

Could I have a clown goby ?

Yes of course you can I love the clown gobies!