Royal gramma in Fluval evo 13.5?

[Parsely]

Hi, I’m 2 months into my first tank. It’s a Fluval evo 13.5g. Right now there is just a pair of clownfish and a small cuc.

I wanted to add a third and final fish to the tank and decided on a tailspot blenny. It seems like it’s a favourite amongst many people on here and I thought it would be a good match for the clowns since I read it occupies a different area, hiding in the rocks mostly Vs swimming out in open.

However, I have a very opinionated 4 year old who when I told him about the new fish is very set on getting a royal gramma instead. So now I have to do all my research over and thought I’d start here getting others opinions. Would a royal gramma be appropriate for my tank?

 

[AydenLincoln]

I wouldn’t add any other fish! That’s a very small tank and two fish max it out…plus more fish equals more poop which means higher nutrients which are harder to deal with in a tank that small.

 

[DHill6]

I agree with above. Your tank is too small for all those fish. I just ordered two Royal Gammas to add in a 34g tank. It only has two other small fish, a clown and mandarin.

 

[jtf74]

My gramma is almost about 3.5" long and probably covers as much distance swimming in a day as my tang. I agree with others. Wouldn't personally put one in anything less than about 55.

 

[Parsely]

Ok thanks guys, guess I’ll have to wait until i upgrade for that one!

 

[Oggiewok]

If you are 100% determinated to add a third and final fish to a tank of that size, then a clown goby is probably your best bet. Theyre small, dont do an awful lot of swimming and spend their days perched on rocks or the sandbed.

 

[Oggiewok]

Scrap that, misread the tank size lol. 13.5g is already borderline too small for the fish you have

 

[Lineatus]

I have to disagree and say a third fish is fine. Maybe not a gramma but any blenny or goby would be fine imo, just keep up with water changes.

 

[Parsely]

Scrap that, misread the tank size lol. 13.5g is already borderline too small for the fish you have

Really? I’ve seen many people on here with the same tank with 3-4 fish in there

 

[Reef.]

Really? I’ve seen many people on here with the same tank with 3-4 fish in there

I tried it, it didn’t go well.

For me the size is a secondary issue, you could do 100% water changes everyday to keep nutrients down obviously unrealistic but you would still have the space issue, clowns can be very territorial, if you get another fish such as a gramma, that are also territorial, need caves and stress easily, you have a problem, even if the fish is not territorial, that can be an issue too as it will either get picked on or keep going into the clowns area. (Which they could view as the whole tank) so again either get picked on or beat up.

Many people try 3 fish in that size tank, not seem many try 4.

Maybe a rock nem with sexy shrimp could be an option.

 

[Lineatus]

I tried it, it didn’t go well.

For me the size is a secondary issue, you could do 100% water changes everyday to keep nutrients down obviously unrealistic but you would still have the space issue, clowns can be very territorial, if you get another fish such as a gramma, that are also territorial, need caves and stress easily, you have a problem, even if the fish is not territorial, that can be an issue too as it will either get picked on or keep going into the clowns area. (Which they could view as the whole tank) so again either get picked on or beat up.

Many people try 3 fish in that size tank, not seem many try 4.

Maybe a rock nem with sexy shrimp could be an option.

This is true, it really depends on the temperament of your clowns. it depends if you want to take the risk or not.

 

[Parsely]

For me the size is a secondary issue, you could do 100% water changes everyday to keep nutrients down obviously unrealistic but you would still have the space issue, clowns can be very territorial, if you get another fish such as a gramma, that are also territorial, need caves and stress easily, you have a problem, even if the fish is not territorial, that can be an issue too as it will either get picked on or keep going into the clowns area. (Which they could view as the whole tank) so again either get picked on or beat up.

Many people try 3 fish in that size tank, not seem many try 4.

Maybe a rock nem with sexy shrimp could be an option.

Yes thank you, Ive been doing lots of research on this and am thinking I'll just keep it with the 2 clowns and start looking at different corals to spruce it up vs getting another a fish. I've never looked into a rock nem before but just at a quick google search they are beautiful, would love to get one of those

 

[Parsely]

I tried it, it didn’t go well.

For me the size is a secondary issue, you could do 100% water changes everyday to keep nutrients down obviously unrealistic but you would still have the space issue, clowns can be very territorial, if you get another fish such as a gramma, that are also territorial, need caves and stress easily, you have a problem, even if the fish is not territorial, that can be an issue too as it will either get picked on or keep going into the clowns area. (Which they could view as the whole tank) so again either get picked on or beat up.

Many people try 3 fish in that size tank, not seem many try 4.

Maybe a rock nem with sexy shrimp could be an option.

Wow, I just want to thank you again for the rock nem + sexy shrimp idea. I have never heard of this before and watching a few videos on them and absolutely love the idea. Thank you!

 

[Reef.]

Wow, I just want to thank you again for the rock nem + sexy shrimp idea. I have never heard of this before and watching a few videos on them and absolutely love the idea. Thank you!

No problem, I love the royal gramma too, great colours.
Take your time and you’ll get an amazing looking nem with colours as good as the RG, the sexy shrimps will add movement too.