20 Gallon High Salt Water Stock Ideas

I've been trying to figure out what I want to do with my 20 gallon high tank, since my betta sorority is over. I think I'm ready to try the salty side of the hobby.

As far as cycling and set up and all that goes, that's not really the point of this thread. I'm sure here and there I'll need help with this or that, but I'll post those questions as I have them. This thread is about STOCKING. I'm not ready to actually stock the tank yet. I have several things to do before I get there. But I want to have a stocking plan when setting up the tank, in case I need to do anything specific for a certain species. I want to have a plan before I set up the tank rather than set it up and then have my stocking options limited by what I did or didn't put in the tank.

I don't think I'm interested in corals right now. And I'm certainly not interested in anemones. This will probably be a FOWLR tank, and I may add some coral at a later time, depending. But for now, I just plan on using the live rock and having fish and maybe invertebrates.

I am NOT interested in clownfish. I feel like they're so.... pedestrian. Like everyone who has a salty tank has clownfish. I don't want to just do what everyone else is doing.

I'm really interested in dwarf cuttlefish, but I think a 20 gallon high might still be too small. Yes, I know they only live for a year and are a pain to care for. I don't care. But if a 20 gallon high is too small, then I'll keep cuttlefish on my bucket list and get something more appropriate.

I want really interesting species that have fun, interactive personalities, and make good pets. I'm not opposed to doing a small community tank, but I'm not interested in the typical "centerpiece, schooling fish, and bottom dweller" set up. If I only have 1 fish of a few species, or just 1 fish total, I'd be okay with that.

Suggestions?

 

I'm afraid I can't think of many oddball marine fish that would thrive in a nano tank. Have you thought about a seahorse and/or pipefish setup? Or perhaps a frogfish. As you probably know, generally swimming length is more desirable than height, but perhaps you could keep one of the Canthigaster Puffers..? They stay fairly small, but I'm really unsure how much room they need. Neither option is considered very easy to care for, but I understand that you're not exactly a newb and are looking for a challenge.

 

Okay so I did a little more research on the dwarf cuttlefish and it looks like I might be able to pull that off.. if I can find eggs anywhere. A 20 gallon high is the minimum tank. I'm not usually about bare minimums, though.




I'm still interested in getting more stocking ideas, though. I'm not settled on this. The seahorses sounds interesting, I'll do some research into those. So far I've only researched dwarf seahorses, and they tend to do better in pico tanks from what I've learned. But I haven't researched any of the other species. *Gets on Google*

 

Honestly if you are looking for something a little more exotic, I would strongly suggest looking into the Possum or Pygmy Wrasses. The cuttlefish idea simply isn't practical IMHO as raising anything from an egg is definitely something for more experienced aquariasts. Here are some of the fish that would work for a standard 20 gallon tank:

If you are willing to dedicate the tank to a single fish, here are a few suggestions:

 

Oh wow I can have an angler fish? OOooooh.... I have no problem dedicating the tank to a single fish.

 

Oh wow I can have an angler fish? OOooooh....

Yup, there are a few dwarf varieties that will work. A bit on the spendy side, but then again not a big deal IMHO if you are dedicating the tank to one.

 

Ahem... Guys, the angler is what I was referring to when I said frogfish, so I'm taking credit fort that one. I know in Australia frogfish refers to another species though, so I suppose I should have been more precise.

 

OMG you did mention a frogfish. I didn't even realize. Your post got me researching seahorses so I think I kind of forgot you mentioned frogfish.

 

I would definitely pick the frogfish over seahorses personally. Easier to care for and I think the frogfish would offer more.