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Nano Stocking Decisions

J

Jeff

Begining to stock my 20G tank and could use some ideas/guidance. Obviously can't have too much so want to make sure I get it right.

Thinking about 1- 2 main fish, w/ 1-3 small gobies.

Probably prefer something that is active and perhaps not the typical clowns or bangaii cardinals.

Leading options (no specific order here):

yellow assessor
swales swissguard basslet
blackcap basslet
royal gramma
fridmani pseudo

Gobies:
greenbanded
red head
tangaroa

Considering some sexy shrimp or perhaps a pair of skunk or fire cleaners, in part to help clean up excess food, but also to spawn and provide food for corals.

Can any two of the centerpiece fish (the non-gobies) get along with each other?
What other fish (not listed) would be a suitable tankmate for the centerpiece fish?
Will I be able to keep shrimp, assuming I get one of the main fish listed above, or will they just be expensive meals?

- like the idea of two larger fish, but perhaps it be better to have 1, and then 2, maybe 3 of the small gobies.
- Tank will mainly be zoas, rics, and a few LPS.

Thanks
 
M

mnat

Officer Emeritus
Staff member
Moderator
You may want to look at the popular choice of clownfish, also is the tank covered? There are some neat fish you can get into a 20g but they can be jumpers. The yellow assesor is know to be pretty peacful but expensive, the basslets and pseudos can get pushy. The other thing to consider is where in the water column they hang out. Some fish stay on the bottom, some hide, and some swim around the whole column.
 
Hawkeye

Hawkeye

A firefish is a nice peaceful fish. A helfrichi firefish is a gorgeous but $$$ peaceful fish.

I'm not familiar with the 3 gobies but if I recall - they are really small and the inclusion of the larger fish (first) may result in the larger fish identifying the gobies as meals. So definitely intro those first.

Other gobies to consider: sharknose goby

Also for larger sized gobies - the pearly jawfish are neat in my opinion. Or the more $$$ blue-spotted jawfish.
 
JRWOHLER

JRWOHLER

If you want sexy shrimp or any smaller shrimp you are going to have to be CAREFUL some of those on your list are really questionable there.
I wouldn't like the idea of my fridmani or swissgaurd munching on my sexy shrimp.

Small pygmy angel is also another nice suggestion.
 
J

Jeff

I like the dwarf angel idea, as they are really active. Just not sure how much trust to place in those guys with LPS in the tank. Previously have done this with no issue (african flameback in a 40g: the occassional nip, but no damage to the coral), just wondering if attempting this in a 20 poses more of a risk and/or they would get too big.

Always fond of the african flameback and flame angels, would either of these be a better choice in this situation?
 
JRWOHLER

JRWOHLER

I had one in a 24 and much like you it picked occasionally but no damage. I had the
Atlantic pygmy centropyge argi till he jumped from the new tank I do miss him.
My bicolor pseodo ate half dozen peppermint shrimps. Now in the 120G tank he is a lot nicer.

Just be careful with those sexy shrimp they are tiny .. nice expensive meal.
 
M

mnat

Officer Emeritus
Staff member
Moderator
We have a flame back in our 20g right now, model citizen. Have also had flame angels in there and they are even more peaceful towards other fish.
 
J

Jeff

Thanks for the feedback guys. Originally I really wanted a dwarf angel but removed them from my list as I figured they would be too big for a 20G. On the way home from work last night I stopped by the LFS and they had a 1-1.5" african flameback that looked great, so I took the chance and picked it up. Would have really like to have gone with a flame as they are always a show stopper, but figured with the small tank that the smaller adult size of the FB might make it the better choice.

So far so good, has been active and done nothing but pick over the LR, swims right past my acan frags and doesn't seem to show any interest in them. HOpeing it stays that way.

Crappy pic, but hopefully it works...

DSCN0872-1.jpg
 
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