Shallow Nano Stocking

[NewReefer455]

I've been running my 25 gal cube display since April and I'm finally starting to see really good coral growth as well as stability in the system. 3 months ago I decided to add a 5 gal frag tank, tied into the same sump, for new coral acclimation as well as growout for frags from the display. I am now planning on adding a shallow sandbed and getting rid of the frag racks so I can just mount frags to rocks/rubble and give them more space than on tiny plugs. Adding the sandbed is making me want to also add one or two small fish/inverts to the tank as well as a variety of snails from the display to help stir the sand. My only problem is that it seems as though there isn't much I can add to such a small tank. It has a better footprint than most 5 gals, at 18"x12"x7", but is still a tiny volume.

I was throwing around the idea of an acclimated molly, a fireshrimp, and a handful of nassarius to stir the sand, but I am open to other options. I keep strictly softies and lps, so the flow isn't crazy strong to annoy any weak swimmers. Also I like inhabitants to offer a purpose, so the molly I know would help with most any algae issues. Any other decent workers for a small area?

 

[mort]

It's the working aspect that's hard to find in small fish. There are a lot of neat little gobies that you could add for interest, the kind that get lost in a large tank (trimma, evoita, etc) or something a bit bolder and colourful like a cleaner goby.
If you definitely want it to do a job then perhaps one of the tiny ecsenius blennies would fit like a two spot (not twin spot they get much bigger) or something like a comical/clown blenny but you are really pushing it tank wise for them.

I'd perhaps opt for small shrimp like sexy or bumblebees.

 

[NewReefer455]

It's the working aspect that's hard to find in small fish. There are a lot of neat little gobies that you could add for interest, the kind that get lost in a large tank (trimma, evoita, etc) or something a bit bolder and colourful like a cleaner goby.
If you definitely want it to do a job then perhaps one of the tiny ecsenius blennies would fit like a two spot (not twin spot they get much bigger) or something like a comical/clown blenny but you are really pushing it tank wise for them.

I'd perhaps opt for small shrimp like sexy or bumblebees.

They don't necessarily need to be working fish, it would just be preferable. At this size I know that there is a limited amount of potential fish in general, and I want to make sure I am not stressing fish by housing them in something too small. I also should have noted that this tank is rimless and doesn't have a lid, I know that realistically anything can jump, but I would like to keep this tank lidless if possible. The trimma gobies actually look pretty intriguing, would housing 2 in this size tank be acceptable?

 

[mort]

The trimma gobies actually look pretty intriguing, would housing 2 in this size tank be acceptable?

The trimma have nice little social structures and do well in groups, so two should be fine ime. These little gobies as well as evoita can normally be mixed easily.