Need final decision on stocking tank

[George Villasenor]

Have a 20 gallon IM tank and I'm looking to make a semi-aggressive tank since I'm most likely going to get a pair of Lightning Maroons or Blood Orange clown fish unless persuaded to not do so. What's a good "utility" (Well rounded pest and or algae eater) fish that can hold its own against these clown fish. I'm going to be introducing only three fish to the tank at the same time. It's a mixed reef, has three astrea snails, one nassarius (rarely see it), a few coral barnacles and a small sea fan, I will be getting a squat lobster and acro crab in the future. Just putting this out there since I want to avoid a fish that eats these guys.

 

[Ocelaris]

Hawkfish will hold their own and fun to watch. Some blennies also would be fine, my lawnmower blenny would mind his own business, but wouldn't hesitate to fight back.

 

[Jesterrace]

A dottyback eats bristleworms and a few other pests and it won't be pushed around either. Usually I wouldn't recommend them but in that config a single one might work.

 

[norfolkgarden]

I think the lightning maroons will reach 5-6" each eventually.

A good excuse to upgrade to a 55 gallon later on.
If they are tiny, 1" to 1.5", you can probably get away with the 20 gallon for up to 2 years?

Beautiful fish!

We ended up keeping ocellaris clownfish for the small size, color and easy disposition.

 

[inktomi]

A dottyback would be a good addition, for sure! Maroon clowns do grow large, as norfolkgarden pointed out - keep that in mind.