Stock My Tank! (20 gallons)

Jacked Reefer · Aug 14, 2019

Howdy folks!
I’m upgrading my 10 gallon tank to a nuvo 20. I’m a bit torn on stocking because I it’s hard to find a nano fish that really piques my interest. I really enjoy angelfish and anthias but I don’t believe any are suitable for a 20 gallon. So I decided to do what any sane person would do. And ask what you guys would do if you had my tank! (For your consideration it will be lit by a 150w Halide and have huge amounts of flow) Thanks for all the suggestions!
Kayden

bstodds15 · Aug 14, 2019

Personal favorite for smaller setups is the Watchman Goby/Pistol Shrimp Pair.
Firefish and Royal Gramma's are good for 20g too.

The smallest tank for a dwarf angel would be 55g imo.

rkpetersen · Aug 14, 2019

Randall's, Yasha, Hi Fin, or Dracula goby pair, with Randall's Pistol Shrimp
Rainford's Goby
Possum Wrasse
Pink-Streaked Wrasse
Clown Goby

mta_morrow · Aug 14, 2019

Pair of wheeler gobies with a pistol shrimp, flametail blenny, azure damsel, and a purple firefish

Blitheran · Aug 14, 2019

Midas blenny have tons of personality and would fit perfectly!!

mta_morrow · Aug 14, 2019

Blitheran said:
Midas blenny have tons of personality and would fit perfectly!!

True! Tailspot blennys as well!

FishyDP · Aug 14, 2019

I agree firefish would be a good candidate for your tank, as well as royal gramma. Both really nice looking fish. Firefish are pretty docile and can get picked on ime, especially in a smaller tank so may want to stock with other docile fish if you go with them.

Jacked Reefer · Aug 15, 2019

Thanks for all the reply's! Though i would love to have a shrimp/goby pair, I forgot to mention i was going bare bottom. A Midas blenny would be really fun. I may do that and a pygmy wrasse. Though one of the more fancy fire fish may also be a good choice. I just would be worried about a fire fish getting through a screen lid when it jumps.

bstodds15 · Aug 15, 2019

Kayden Hutchings said:
Thanks for all the reply's! Though i would love to have a shrimp/goby pair, I forgot to mention i was going bare bottom. A Midas blenny would be really fun. I may do that and a pygmy wrasse. Though one of the more fancy fire fish may also be a good choice. I just would be worried about a fire fish getting through a screen lid when it jumps.

I've never had firefish jump on me except if they are getting beaten up (which a midas blenny could do). As long as they have hiding places in the rock work, and you aren't moving things around too much, I wouldn't have much fear.
A single designer clown could be an option?

hockeyhead019 · Aug 15, 2019

Royal gramma's are really cool looking and good for a tank that size. I've always loved the different types of clown gobies. They're always perching in fun spots and zipping around during feeding time.

Markxc · Aug 15, 2019

if you get a firefish id suggest looking into getting a custom lid. a lot of people say they have a tendency to jump but i figured id be ok since i have a lid (i also have a nuvo 20 with the stock lid). i had the fish for literally one day and then found it on the floor when i came home from work. it must have managed to slip out between the space between the lid and the glass.

Pbh-reef · Aug 15, 2019

pygmy geometric perch let is a favorite of mine for small tanks

Jacked Reefer · Aug 15, 2019

bstodds15 said:
I've never had firefish jump on me except if they are getting beaten up (which a midas blenny could do). As long as they have hiding places in the rock work, and you aren't moving things around too much, I wouldn't have much fear.
A single designer clown could be an option?

I have a clownfish and I don’t really enjoy him. He has the tendency to only be active (out of his corner) when I feed him, or when I have my hand in the tank (he then proceeds to eat my hand) so I’m looking for something different.

Pbh-reef said:
pygmy geometric perch let is a favorite of mine for small tanks

this is definitely one of my favorites. Same family as anthias, attractive, only semi shy. Just wish I could find a place to buy them.

I now know I’m gonna 100% get a Pygmy wrasse now. Just have to decide between the Pygmy perchlet or the Blenny. (I would get a pink streak wrasse with the blenny, or one of the red Pygmy wrasse with the “hawkfish”)

suta4242 · Aug 15, 2019

Pbh-reef said:
pygmy geometric perch let is a favorite of mine for small tanks

Agree they are unique critters. But a few years later, are they good in a small tank? Especially with other bottom dwellers?

Dunno tbh.

I ask because I grew mine up from juveniles and their behaviour changed dramatically a year or so down the road. Though far more extreme than my experience, a fellow reefer had an adult that actively killed off a number of weaker bottom dwellers in a 6ft tank...

So I Guess it would depend on what else is in the tank???

Pbh-reef · Aug 15, 2019

suta4242 said:
Agree they are unique critters. But a few years later, are they good in a small tank? Especially with other bottom dwellers?

Dunno tbh.

I ask because I grew mine up from juveniles and their behaviour changed dramatically a year or so down the road. Though far more extreme than my experience, a fellow reefer had an adult that actively killed off a number of weaker bottom dwellers in a 6ft tank...

So I Guess it would depend on what else is in the tank???

A Pygmy perchlet killed another fish? That seems shocking to me - especially in a 6’ tank! they are so small and relatively inactive, it is hard to imagine how one would kill another fish. @Lasse has a pair with some very peaceful fish in tank that’s atound 80 gallons

Edit- when you say their behavior changed do you mean towards each other? I can imagine them harassing others of the same species in a too small tank

Pbh-reef · Aug 15, 2019

Kayden Hutchings said:
I have a clownfish and I don’t really enjoy him. He has the tendency to only be active (out of his corner) when I feed him, or when I have my hand in the tank (he then proceeds to eat my hand) so I’m looking for something different.

this is definitely one of my favorites. Same family as anthias, attractive, only semi shy. Just wish I could find a place to buy them.

I now know I’m gonna 100% get a Pygmy wrasse now. Just have to decide between the Pygmy perchlet or the Blenny. (I would get a pink streak wrasse with the blenny, or one of the red Pygmy wrasse with the “hawkfish”)

I see them on live aquaria and at several LFS pretty often

suta4242 · Aug 15, 2019

Pbh-reef said:
Edit- when you say their behavior changed do you mean towards each other? I can imagine them harassing others of the same species in a too small tank

Yes. Mine were very small juveniles and once they reached about 3cm were transferred to a 400L display. They were aggressive with each other as they matured (apparently not unique to my experience). But yeah, I was very surprised when they started harassing some other bottom dwellers. More surprised when I heard what an established adult did in another persons tank.

While I don’t see an issue with trying one in a small tank I wouldn’t try an adult with other bottom dwellers. In that case, if it turns sour, theres nowhere for a bullied fish to hide.

Anyway, just food for thought.

Lasse · Aug 15, 2019

My Pygmy perchlet have been in the tank for three years - never ever have seen any aggressive behavior from them - not between them and not against other fish. The tank is 80 gallon and a lot of smaller fishes including 4 pipefish.

Sincerely Lasse