Orchid dottyback with Carpenter wrasse

[ryanb69]

I have a 20 gal nano with a HOB CPR aeroforce skimmer (rated at 55gal tank), with a DIY HOB fuge. I have a pair of occelaris clownfish, and plan on getting a Carpenter flasher wrasse. I have recently discovered the orchid dottyback, and think it's color would look amazing. I WANT ONE lol.

Will the orchid dottyback be ok with the carpenter wrasse, which should I add first. I have lots of caves for the dottyback to live in, and my clowns only swim around my candycane coral ( they think its an anaenome! lol)

 

[sponger0]

I think 20 gallons is too small for both, lets alone a wrasse

 

[snorvich]

I think 20 gallons is too small for both, lets alone a wrasse

I agree. a 20 gallon tank, depending on which clowns, may preclude any other fish once the clowns are sexually mature.

 

[ryanb69]

If the wrasse outgrows my tank I have a friend with a 125 who will take it off my hands. Are the orchid and carpenter agressive towards eachother? From reading around lots of people have kept orchids in as small as a 10 gallon, and carpenters are common nano fish too (from what I have read). Is having them together a bad idea?

 

[sponger0]

20 gallons just isnt enough for either fish IMO. Dottybacks can be agressive

 

[Bax]

I'd say no tank is too small

 

[dashielle89]

I don't think the carpenter wouldn't be a good nano fish at all. I had mine in a 65 and just upgraded to a 90 and he still gets bullied by my clowns sometimes plus they like room to swim.

 

[ryanb69]

any thoughts on a royal gramma instead of the orchid ? any knowledge on difference in their personalities

 

[Lynnmw1208]

20 gallon is quite small for anything else with clowns. they WILL get aggressive as they mature. Mine draw blood when I clean my tank and I have a 125 gallon! doesn't matter what side of the tank I'm on.

 

[Arnel0387]

I have them both in 125 (6-foot long tank). Not a good idea. Even if you have a lot of live rock and added them at the same time. No offense but I think regardless of what we say, you're still going to add more fish to your 20 gallon. Trust me, ive done the same thing. (Even a 20 gallon is small for a pair of clownfish.)