Fish suggestions for 13.5 gallon?

Crested · Mar 30, 2019

Hey everyone, sad day here. Woke up this morning and found my firefish dried up on the ground next to the tank (I have a lid but he must have lined it up just right to get through the feeding hole) [emoji17] Now I need something to replace him. The only other fish I have is a yellow watchman goby. I've been looking at a few options and none have really caught my eye. I would like to have a free swimming one that will be somewhat active and not hide a lot since my yellow watchman goby has that covered

thanks in advance

James M · Mar 30, 2019

Gobies are pretty much the only thing that can fit on your size of a tank. Upgrade ?

Journeyman · Mar 30, 2019

I've been seeing Catalina gobies and brnacle blennies at my lfs. They are real it tiny and fun to watch.

starypotter · Mar 30, 2019

James M said:
Gobies are pretty much the only thing that can fit on your size of a tank. Upgrade ?

Even so I have a few clown gobies and they all like to dart around my 75gallon from time to time. My yellow clown goby seems the last active and likes to wander around a bit more lazily than the green and black ones.

starypotter · Mar 30, 2019

Journeyman said:
I've been seeing Catalina gobies and brnacle blennies at my lfs. They are real it tiny and fun to watch.

Catalina gobies are cold water gobies and need to have different temperature settings that most every other common fish in the trade. They'd slowly die in any tank kept to reef standards.

Journeyman · Mar 30, 2019

starypotter said:
Catalina gobies are cold water gobies and need to have different temperature settings that most every other common fish in the trade. They'd slowly die in any tank kept to reef standards.

True. I should have mentioned that. Barnacle blennies would do fine in a small reef tank.

Journeyman · Mar 30, 2019

A pink streaked wrasse would do fine in a small tank.

Fotocha · Mar 30, 2019

James M said:
Gobies are pretty much the only thing that can fit on your size of a tank. Upgrade ?

With respect, he can keep quite a few juvenile fish in that aquarium. Basslets, gobies, clowns to name a few options.

I’ve been able to stock 6 anemones in my evo along with a pair of clowns +1

The trick, is knowing when you exceed the health of your aquarium. So long as you keep your stock list low and regular water changes.

Jesterrace · Mar 30, 2019

Few here believe in the practice of buying a fish and then simply rehoming it when it gets too big. I never recommend a fish that will outgrow a given tank. Basslets are not a good choice, and clowns would be pushing it long term in one (even occ or percula varieties). Basslets are a definite no. Small Gobies and Barnacle Blennies will work, pink streaked or possum wrasses will work as well. There are some good options that will work long term in that tank.

James M · Mar 30, 2019

Fotocha said:
With respect, he can keep quite a few juvenile fish in that aquarium. Basslets, gobies, clowns to name a few options.

I’ve been able to stock 6 anemones in my evo along with a pair of clowns +1

The trick, is knowing when you exceed the health of your aquarium. So long as you keep your stock list low and regular water changes.

IMO Clowns need a 20 gallon or bigger and keeping juvenile fish is pointless to me because your going to end up replacing them.

Journeyman · Mar 30, 2019

Fotocha said:
With respect, he can keep quite a few juvenile fish in that aquarium. Basslets, gobies, clowns to name a few options.

I’ve been able to stock 6 anemones in my evo along with a pair of clowns +1

The trick, is knowing when you exceed the health of your aquarium. So long as you keep your stock list low and regular water changes.

There's a difference between can and should. One can also put a baby tang in there, but it will quickly outgrow the tank and be unhappy.

Aside from the stress of the animals, I find it really inconvenient to have to catch fish in my aquarium and find a new home for it. So I would just rather get fish that will be happy in my tank long term.

Crested · Mar 30, 2019

Jesterrace said:
Few here believe in the practice of buying a fish and then simply rehoming it when it gets too big. I never recommend a fish that will outgrow a given tank. Basslets are not a good choice, and clowns would be pushing it long term in one (even occ or percula varieties). Basslets are a definite no. Small Gobies and Barnacle Blennies will work, pink streaked or possum wrasses will work as well. There are some good options that will work long term in that tank.

Wow never seen a possum wrasse before and they are beautiful. That's at the top of my list right now. Thank you everyone for your input!

Fotocha · Mar 30, 2019

Journeyman said:
There's a difference between can and should. One can also put a baby tang in there, but it will quickly outgrow the tank and be unhappy.

Aside from the stress of the animals, I find it really inconvenient to have to catch fish in my aquarium and find a new home for it. So I would just rather get fish that will be happy in my tank long term.

Well my point was, in the wrong hands and the inexperienced, yes, it could be a wrong choice for sure even fatal for small animals that depend on you.

My guess is simply the EVO will either be outgrown / upgraded to something larger. Keep in mind clowns take 1-2 years to mature. A lot can happen in that time period. In contrast tangs grow much larger in shorter period of time.

I’m just of the opinion; a rule can be bent slightly, but with too much it can break.

I would say if you “do”, be prepared for a long term plan, ideally to upgrade down the road. Just, have to use common sense. My 2 cents

Crested · Mar 30, 2019

From what I've read online, possum wrasse can be fairly hard to find. Are there any other wrasses that will be fine in a small tank? Or does anyone know a reputable source that has possum wrasse?

Jesterrace · Apr 1, 2019

Shoot. Saltwaterfish.com had the White Banded Possum Wrasse in stock but they are now listed as waiting list. They will be spendy though. Might be worth it to hold out and wait for one, if you really want something special for your tank:

https://www.saltwaterfish.com/product-red-pygmy-possum-wrasse

https://aquarium-fish.liveaquaria.com/search?w=Possum Wrasse

https://www.bluezooaquatics.com/searchNew.asp

Have you tried checking in with your LFS?

Crested · Apr 1, 2019

Jesterrace said:
Shoot. Saltwaterfish.com had the White Banded Possum Wrasse in stock but they are now listed as waiting list. They will be spendy though. Might be worth it to hold out and wait for one, if you really want something special for your tank:

https://www.saltwaterfish.com/product-red-pygmy-possum-wrasse

https://aquarium-fish.liveaquaria.com/search?w=Possum Wrasse

https://www.bluezooaquatics.com/searchNew.asp

Have you tried checking in with your LFS?

Yea I recently signed up for emails from LA's Divers den and got an email this morning of "potential items" they'll be adding and on the list there was a Tanaka's possum wrasse. So if they do post it, I may have to jump on it tonight. After some digging, I came across a forum post from like 5 years ago saying that they're pretty common in the divers den but who knows if that's still relevant haha