4 fish in 12 gallon cube?

thatindonesianreefer · Feb 5, 2024

Hi. I currently have a 12 gallon cube reef tank(dimensions : 16” x 14” x 16”)
I have a pair of ocellaris clowns and a pajama cardinal.
I’m planing on adding a six line wrasse for pest control. Will this be too much fish?

Mr. Mojo Rising · Feb 5, 2024

Honestly you are already overstocked, should have stopped at 2 clowns. Including rocks and sand, the tank only offers about 9 gallons of water and swim space, its just not enough to support 4 fish. You will risk aggression, stress, and disease by adding more.

titlefight13 · Feb 5, 2024

thatindonesianreefer said:
Hi. I currently have a 12 gallon cube reef tank(dimensions : 16” x 14” x 16”)
I have a pair of ocellaris clowns and a pajama cardinal.
I’m planing on adding a six line wrasse for pest control. Will this be too much fish?

Minimum for a pair of clowns to be “happy” is around 30 gals.

ReeferHD · Feb 5, 2024

titlefight13 said:
Minimum for a pair of clowns to be “happy” is around 30 gals.

i'd say it depends on the individual, many clowns stay in one area of the tank and don't display stress in smaller tanks, especially when being hosted by an anemone, but i definitely wouldn't add any more fish.