Who Gives A Fish Forums

Hi, I'm switching from a freshwater tank to a saltwater setup, upgrading from a 20 long to something new. I've already got my heart set on a Maroon clownfish, but I'm not sure what to pair with it. I thought about getting two Maroons, but I'm worried the aggression might be too much to handle. Does anyone have a suggestion for a second fish that would complement the clown? I was thinking maybe a royal gramma or something else that would work well with live rock and corals.

A goby could work pretty well, adds some interesting movement and they're usually pretty peaceful, so shouldn't add to the aggression with the Maroon clown.

Honestly, a 20g is way too small for maroon clowns - they need a lot more space. I think they'd do best in a tank that's at least 4' long.

I agree with fleeton, maroons can get pretty large, up to 8 inches in length. A smaller species would be a better fit for a 20g tank, in my opinion.

Why not try a humbug Damsel or another damsel type, they help mature marine setups.

Actually, maroons top out at around 6" max, and that's being generous. In reality, they usually don't get that big. A 20 long would be just fine for one.

As for damsels, they don't really help mature setups, and they're super aggressive. Not a great combo with a maroon, if you ask me.

floralix wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 6:27 pm A goby could work pretty well, adds some interesting movement and they're usually pretty peaceful, so shouldn't add to the aggression with the Maroon clown.

You mature the tank with damsels, then once it's stable, you rehome them at the LFS and replace them with your preferred fish.

You'll end up having to tear down the whole tank just to catch those damsels, and it's gonna be a hassle. Just cycle it the normal way, with some liverock or a piece of shrimp, it's way easier.

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I'm not planning on keeping these fish in the 20 gal long-term. I'm pretty new to SW, wanting to gain some experience before moving up to a bigger tank - I'm thinking a 125 gal for the future. This is just a stepping stone for me. I'll post some pics once everything's set up.

Honestly, six months is the max I'd keep them in a 20g, but even that's pushing it. Maroons can hit 8'' in length, though it's not super common.