Fully Cycled 20 Gallon Tank

[Point202]

I'm sure those of you experienced with tropical fish get tired of hearing this question, but I'm looking for advice for stocking my 20 gallon tank.

My tank is fully cycled - it's kept a goldie for 2+ years. I know goldies are tough on water quality - so I've done some prep work for keeping tropicals - huge water change, throughly sanitized the filter and decor, added some live plants (anacharis and banana plant) and a heater. I've been maintaining the bio load for two days with fish food... and I am getting a nitrate reading, so I am still cycled and ready for new fish!

But I have no idea what to get! I tend to have a higher ph reading ( 7.4 - 7.8 ) - and I want to include variety, at least 3 types of fish, hopefully one of those that schools. I know the different options available - but am looking for some recommendations on combinations. What can you recommend?

 

[LolaLouie]

Neon tetra add a lot of colour to a tank and shoal. A group of 6+ look nice. Dwarf Gouramis make a very nice center peace and would fit in a tank your size although they are best kept in 3s 1 male 2 females. My tank is 24 gallons so a similar size to yours.

I have:
6 Diamond head tetra (a morph of Neon Tetra)
4 Pentazona Barbs (look like tiger barbs but without any of the agression)
1 Otocinclus (good for cleaning up algae)
3 Amano shrimp (great for cleaning algae of plants and ornaments and are great to watch)
4 Cory Catfish (again great to watch)
3 Dwarf Gouramis (the males are beautiful)

I have a very powerful filter for my tank and it is a few gallons larger than yours so the numbers aren't necessarily right for you but just to give you an idea.

Also African Dwarf Frogs are great to watch they have real personalities mine died when I went away on holiday but I will be getting some more soon.

Good luck with it!

 

[Point202]

Just realized that most folks on this site are from England. I am in the US - so my tank is 20 US Gallons.

 

[LolaLouie]

The tank described above is 24 US gallons

 

[Gazpug]

I'm sure those of you experienced with tropical fish get tired of hearing this question, but I'm looking for advice for stocking my 20 gallon tank.

My tank is fully cycled - it's kept a goldie for 2+ years. I know goldies are tough on water quality - so I've done some prep work for keeping tropicals - huge water change, throughly sanitized the filter and decor, added some live plants (anacharis and banana plant) and a heater. I've been maintaining the bio load for two days with fish food... and I am getting a nitrate reading, so I am still cycled and ready for new fish!

But I have no idea what to get! I tend to have a higher ph reading ( 7.4 - 7.8 ) - and I want to include variety, at least 3 types of fish, hopefully one of those that schools. I know the different options available - but am looking for some recommendations on combinations. What can you recommend?

Hi,

I would recommend corys, they are fantastic community fish. I have 8 and they are really fun to watch. There are loads of different types as well. I would get a minimum of 4 if you where planning on getting some. They hoover up the food flake that lies on the bottom too. Feed them catfish pellets for their primary diet.

Regards

Gaz

 

[Point202]

Thanks very much Lola Louie for your suggestion - I really like the combo you have.

How's this for a tank community? Which should I start with?

6 Tetras (little ones, not sure of exact type)
4 Harlequin Rasboras OR 6 Cherry Barbs
2 Corys
2 Dwarf Gouramis OR 1 Gourami of another type

 

[rabbut]

Thanks very much Lola Louie for your suggestion - I really like the combo you have.

How's this for a tank community? Which should I start with?

6 Tetras (little ones, not sure of exact type)
4 Harlequin Rasboras OR 6 Cherry Barbs
2 Corys
2 Dwarf Gouramis OR 1 Gourami of another type

Not a bad start. Some tetras a fin nippers, so I would advise you ask on here before getting them, if you intend to keep anything with long fins. The corrys need to be in a group of 4 minimum, and you need more females than male dwarf gorami, or the males may become too agressive towards the females. Dwarf gorami can also be quite agressive toward other species. Have you seen Red Robin Gorami. Stay the same size and the dwarfs, but are a little more placid. They have a vivid red colour, so stand out well

All the best
Rabbut

 

[Point202]

Not a bad start. Some tetras a fin nippers, so I would advise you ask on here before getting them, if you intend to keep anything with long fins. The corrys need to be in a group of 4 minimum, and you need more females than male dwarf gorami, or the males may become too agressive towards the females. Dwarf gorami can also be quite agressive toward other species. Have you seen Red Robin Gorami. Stay the same size and the dwarfs, but are a little more placid. They have a vivid red colour, so stand out well

All the best
Rabbut

I can't find any info about the Red Robin Gourami - a quick search suggests that it's just a type of dwarf. What about a single Honey Gourami?

 

[rabbut]

I can't find any info about the Red Robin Gourami - a quick search suggests that it's just a type of dwarf. What about a single Honey Gourami?

Honeys will be fine Red Robins are a bright red colour morph of the Honey. Not finding any further results at your end may be down to it being a common name. There are a number of variants asto what this fish is called, but for the life of me, I can't remember the others.

All the best
Rabbut