Stocking of tank

Hello All,

I wasn't sure where to put this but figured since it sounded like a newbie type of question I would put it here. I have a 29 gallon tank with 29 pounds of live rock and about an inch and a half of live rock. My tank is cycled and I currently have 2 clownfish, a PJ Cardinal, and a cleaner shrimp.

I'm curious about how many more fish I can realistically add to this 29 gallon tank (very slowly of course over lengthy periods of time) before pushing the bounds of the filtration (live rock + sand) becomes an issue? Down the road I would like to add a Royal Gramma and some sort of sand sifting fish.

 

I would think two smallish fish wouldn't be too bad, but if you are adding a sand sifter just make sure your live rock is not sitting on top of the sand. My goby make hideouts underneath several rocks and it could easily all come down if were on top of the substrate. You could add a sand sifting star, they go under the sand, but I have never seen mine try to go under rocks.

 

I actually would advise against any kind of a sand sifter. A 29 just does not have a large enough foot print to sustain one IMO. A Royal Gramma should be fine. And then maybe one smaller fish. A Possum Wrasse may be a good fit.

 

As long as you keep up with water changes, you could probably add another fish, two is pushing it. I wouldn't get a sandsifter as most of their diet is from sifting sand, and a 29 gallon wouldn't be enough to keep the pod levels high enough. Sandsifters are known for their short life span because of it.

Your Clownfish are most likely already established in the tank, so they may be aggressive to any newcomers. Rearranging the rock should help with that.

 

Well personally if you want Royal Gramma and some sort of sand sifting fish then that would be the limit(total of 5). Less is more in my opinion. I have 2 Picasso clowns, a stripped blenny, and a yellow tail damsel at this time. Possibly may add a goby but that is about it. I have a 30Gal tank.