[5g tank] baby clown or yellow tail damsel

Robert Binz · Feb 17, 2020

I had a big Dino./cyano issue with my last nano which as coral only. People have suggested that my tank was too clean and advised me to get a single small fish.

My preference is a goby (like the clown goby), but I don't have a top on my tank and I know gobies are jumpers. Thus, I'm deciding between a small clown or a yellow tail damsel--leaning toward the yellow tail.

Which should I go with? If another non-jumping fish is better feel free to provide that information as well.

GoldeneyeRet · Feb 17, 2020

All fish jump, there is no such thing as a non jumper.

I think both of those fish would appreciate more room. If I had a 5 gal tank, i.would keep a few barnacle blennies

User1 · Feb 17, 2020

Single small fish you are looking at a goby. You could also do a goby pistol shrimp combo. Damsel is too big as would be a clown. I recently took down a 5 gallon nano although it was tall I only housed a baby matted file fish that was too small for my 210 gallon tank. It was the size of a dime so put it in there until it got a bit larger then moved it over.

I was looking to replace it and the Striped Upside Down Trimma or Yellow Trimma Goby was on my to buy list. Captive bred, small, and would do well in a 5 gallon. The yellow or blue neon goby is another good option. You could get two if you find them for sale as a pair - otherwise 1 only.

Depending on the tank layout nano tanks are typically limited with what type of fish you can keep if you are being a good hobbyist. Even small fish roam so best bet is to search on nano saltwater fish and then narrow it down from there based on your tank size. In our case we want smaller fish especially as your tank matures and corals grow.

Jesterrace · Feb 18, 2020

Getting a top of some form on that tank is a very simple fix and the idea of jumpers vs non-jumpers is a myth. There is simply more prone vs less prone and a Damsel or Clownfish is much more likely to jump in a super cramped environment like that one. Get a lid and a Clown Goby and call it good.