Need Help Stocking Tank! Thanks!

[TheReefDiary]

So just finished cycling my tank and want to get at least 2 fish this week sometime. I have the fluval evo 13.5.

I've read so may different things about # of fish, bioload, fish that work well together, fish that don't, etc., to the point everything is conflicting.

I would enjoy having at least 3-4 fish in my tank. I like clowns but also don't want them to be uncomfortable or territorial if the tank is too small. Been reading even aquacultured ones can be a bit aggressive, but also posts saying they've been great.

So my question is what can I get away with? Would 4 fish work? Perhaps 1 clown, a gramma, a gobby, and a six lined wrasse? Or a cardinal instead of clown. Obviously not all introduced at the same time. I plan on having a clean up crew as well.

My biggest thing is happiness of the fish. My life doesn't change much if I can get 3 vs 4 fish, but would just enjoy the diversity. I don't mind doing water changes often, the tank is small so it's not a big hassle.

Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks in advance and sorry if I miss a reply.

 

[fishski13]

I would never put 4 fish in a small tank like that. I would stick with two for now and see how everything works out with nutrients and etc. you can try to introduce a third in a couple months after the first two once everything is stable. But that will be pushing the quality of life for fish. Besides the clown the wrasse goby and royal gramma all need hiding place in small caves or sand burrows in that kind of small tank it is very hard to supply that without any aggression.

 

[TheReefDiary]

I would never put 4 fish in a small tank like that. I would stick with two for now and see how everything works out with nutrients and etc. you can try to introduce a third in a couple months after the first two once everything is stable. But that will be pushing the quality of life for fish. Besides the clown the wrasse goby and royal gramma all need hiding place in small caves or sand burrows in that kind of small tank it is very hard to supply that without any aggression.

Only reason I said 4 is because I know people who have it working with their setups. Fish are happy and tank parameters are in check. I have 3 caves in my set up. Made sure to include a lot based off the fish I wanted.

Do you have any recommendations on which 2 you would go with first? I can share a link to LFS with what they have in stock.

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