What are your favorite nano fish? (20g stocking ideas!)

[Dani_13563]

Hello everyone! I was looking for stocking ideas for a 20g Aqueon standard. It has not been started yet. I’m just looking for ideas. Igreen’s guide says 3-5 fish for a 20, so of course I want to do 5 haha

Current idea:
- Clownfish pair (mocha storm and orange storm preferably but $$$)
- Orchid dottyback (not 100%)
- Tiger goby (for sifting sand)
- Wheeler’s goby & pistol shrimp pair

The dottyback and the tiger goby I am not 100% sold on! I love the color of the orchid and
the usefulness of the tiger goby, but I know there are alternatives. What are some small, COLORFUL fish that might replace an orchid dottyback? Maybe a fourline, sixline, or pink-streaked wrasse? I LOVE pink/purple fish (hence the orchid and wheeler’s), but the more color the better! Should I keep it at four fish? I plan on using ocean live rock btw.

For CUC I just plan on keeping whatever (good) hitchhikers come with the rock. Might add more later.

For corals I don’t really have a plan as those seem far in the future for me, but probably just softies and zoas. Maybe some easy lps.

Thank you for reading!

 

[krayzie]

Midas blenny, tail spot blenny, lawnmower blenny any one of those

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

I just picked up a wheelers goby/shrimp pair for a 15g cube. The wheelers and a tail spot are by far gonna be the biggest fish in there.

 

[ryanjohn1]

Dottyback are pretty aggressive
Same with basically every damsel.

 

[lil sumpin]

5 fish is a bit is too much for a 20gal, go with 3-4 tops. If you’re gonna add a wrasse make sure to add last. Midas blenny and lawnmower will appreciate a bigger tank, a tailspot will enjoy your tank size

 

[eliaslikesfish]

for color, you can’t go wrong with a royal gramma, peaceful unlike a dotty back

2 clowns, a shrimp/goby pair and a gramma could work

 

[aciak]

I just added a yellow clown goby, red firefish, yasha goby and pajama cardinal to my 20 gallon. Seems like a good mixture of perching, open swimmer and hang out in the rocks. All very peaceful too.

 

[Dani_13563]

Dottyback are pretty aggressive
Same with basically every damsel.

Yeah, that’s why I didn’t bother looking at any damsels. I’ve heard like 50/50 on dottyback personality, which is why I was considering one. Thank you for replying!

 

[Dani_13563]

for color, you can’t go wrong with a royal gramma, peaceful unlike a dotty back

2 clowns, a shrimp/goby pair and a gramma could work

I am seriously considering this stocking as well! Not a huge fan of the yellow, but I love the purple and the personality of the royal gramma!

 

[eliaslikesfish]

I am seriously considering this stocking as well! Not a huge fan of the yellow, but I love the purple and the personality of the royal gramma!

you could sub out the gramma for a purple fire fish!! that would actually look so cool, i want one but have no more space in my tank

make sure you have a tight lid!

 

[Dani_13563]

you could sub out the gramma for a purple fire fish!! that would actually look so cool, i want one but have no more space in my tank

make sure you have a tight lid!

They look pretty. Maybe I’ll get one just for you! Haha

Luckily my tank came with a pretty heavy lid! The only opening is a small cutout for a HOB filter and a small hole for wires, so I think I’ll be good!

 

[kevgib67]

First thing that came to mind was a royal gramma, already mentioned. Tailspots come with a huge personality in a small package.

 

[eliaslikesfish]

They look pretty. Maybe I’ll get one just for you! Haha

Luckily my tank came with a pretty heavy lid! The only opening is a small cutout for a HOB filter and a small hole for wires, so I think I’ll be good!

i want updates!! lol

 

[slythy]

Pink streak wrasse!

 

[Reefer Brent]

I am seriously considering this stocking as well! Not a huge fan of the yellow, but I love the purple and the personality of the royal gramma!

My Blackcap Basslet is a fun one to watch and satisfies the purple without the yellow. Peaceful enough too.

 

[Dani_13563]

My Blackcap Basslet is a fun one to watch and satisfies the purple without the yellow. Peaceful enough too.

Oh that’s a great idea!!! Those are beautiful. And it’s purple hehe.
So a wrasse, purple firefish, or blackcap basslet are all my dottyback replacement ideas for now!

 

[Dani_13563]

First thing that came to mind was a royal gramma, already mentioned. Tailspots come with a huge personality in a small package.

I was considering trading the tiger goby or wheelers for a tail spot Benny as I always see people insisting they have “tons of personality”. That means they are out a lot and love watching everything right? Regardless, I’ve always thought they looked cute and funky. So that’s an option too!

 

[kevgib67]

I was considering trading the tiger goby or wheelers for a tail spot Benny as I always see people insisting they have “tons of personality”. That means they are out a lot and love watching everything right? Regardless, I’ve always thought they looked cute and funky. So that’s an option too!

Yes, out and about and always picking algae off of the rocks and glass. Plus those eye lashes!

 

[lil sumpin]

very friendly too!

 

[Dani_13563]

Y’all are starting to convince me!! Lol. Tailspot is being bumped up a few places in my rankings XD