20G Stocking.

[FaWa]

So I've recently decided to get back in to fish keeping, but I'd like to start simple. Here is the idea I have, and I'd like to know if this would be a good option to stock a 20gal.

2 Powder Blue Dwarf Gourami

6 Celebes Rainbowfish

8 Forktailed Rainbowfish

2 Japonica Amano Shrimp

Is there anything else I could fit in there? Or is this too much? Thanks for the help!

 

[Wills]

Hi, its a tough hobby to stay away from isnt it haha! Interesting stock list but penguin tetras have a bit of reputation to be a bit odd for tetras, they almost start to take up territory and can become boistrus which would cause issues with the extremely calm rainbows. Also I think your stocking levels in a 20g are quite small really. If you want a schooling tank you could do a really great rainbow fish tank and do something like 8 Celebes Rainbows and 10 Forktailed Rainbows or Threadfin or Spotted Blue Eye etc. Due to the calmness of those fish you could probably add a trio of Sparkling Gourami, and with the shrimps not too familiar with Amanos but any of the small species like cherry or bee would be fine if you start with 5 you will be innundated when they start breeding

Wills

 

[FaWa]

Yep, haha. I actually didn't know that about penguins though. I like the idea of adding another group of Rainbows, but instead of sparklers, would 3 Powder Blue Dwarf Gouramis work?

 

[Wills]

Quite a bit of size difference in dwarfs and sparklers. If you went for females you could probably get away with 2 the females have stumpy rounded dorsal fins where as the males have longer ones. But if you went with them your stock list would look like.

2 Dwarf Gourami (2f)
6 Celebes Rainbowfish
8 Forktailed Rainbowfish

Still a very nice looking tank I reckon Just remember though that rainbows need really good water quality which is achieved through 50% per week water changes also need a good diet as well. Do you have the tank set up now? And is it cycled?

 

[FaWa]

It's currently cycling. I'm not planning on adding the fish soon. (I have to check everything with my lps.) I know all about the water quality, though. Thanks for the help!

 

[Wills]

Ah right cool when you say its currently cycling how are you doing it? With ammonia or shop bought products?

 

[FaWa]

I'm actually starting to Silent Cycle. Is that a good idea for these particular fish?

 

[Wills]

Not familiar with the silent cycle thats the one with plants right? Dont know enough either way to comment really sorry

 

[FaWa]

Yea silent cycle is the plant one. I'm not going through cycling with fish again. Thanks for all the help though-I really appreciate it.

 

[Wills]

Have you considered just doing the fishless cycle? With the pure ammonia?

 

[demasonisrule]

Theres actually a reason not to fishless cycle a planted tank. I think theres a topic on it in the planted section.