hey,
I'm getting my first mixed tank , and I was wondering if these fish would work:
I have a 20 gallon planted aquarium by the way.
6 Cardinal Tetra
6 White Cloud Mountain Minnows
3 Pearl Gourami
Is that way to much?
I'm sorry for my newbieness
Zophie
It's an unpopular position to take these days but I strongly advise you to make sure your fish suit your water. By that I mean if you have hard water, avoid fish like cardinal tetras, apistogrammas, rams and bettas that thrive in water that has a pH of under 7 and is very soft. If you have soft water, avoid fish like mollies, platies, african cichlids and other hard water fish.
Before deciding on a stock plan, check the pH and hardness of your water and pick species that will thrive. Many people say that hardness and pH generally doesn't matter because many species are fairly adaptable but in my experience that is not true. I have kept many soft water species as a result of ignorance and have found that none of them have thrived in my water. Keeping fish that do not adapt well or thrive in your water is unnecessary and don't let anyone tell you that our desire for a certain species of fish is more important than providing the right water for that fish!
Not to put you off =) just saying it's best to check your water before you firm up on a plan.
Now, for 20 gallons both cardinals and white clouds are fine. HOWEVER, cardinals and white clouds want totally different temperatures. Cardinals like it fairly warm at 26-29C and minnows like it much cooler, ideally 15-23C. I would avoid keeping them together. If you have soft water and can acommodate some cardinals, I would either double the number you want to keep (as they look STUNNING in bigger groups) or add another species of tropcical shoaling fish that like the same water.
Pearls will get too big so how about swapping them out for a trio of honey gourami?
I'd also add some bottom feeders into the tank. Again, pick something that stays small and will like your local water. How about a small plec or a shoal of small catfish? Let m know what you think and I'll ahve a dig about to see what would be suitable.