Need Ideas

[kitti_love]

here's the deal
i'm not new to fish by far but a coworker of mine is brand new
he is having major problems with his tank
so i'm gunna help him straighten out his peremiters
and re-stock his tank (20 gal standard)
so i need some good ideas on some compatable beginner fish

he needs fish that are peaceful,
colourful, hearty, and small
i'm thinking so far maybe

platy
swords
corydoras


now they need to be fairly common (british columbia near vancouver) as we are a small town and have very little variety, and i am trying to stay away from anything that requires larger schools as he wants variety for his children and it is a small tank
i also need to stay away from testy fin nippers

now i myself am into larger tanks and much more exotic fish
so i'm kinda drawing a blank any ideas?



by the way does anyone have a site or information on zebra albas?

 

[Okyrah]

You have a few options I would recommend for him:

~2 swordtails
~4 khuli loaches
~9 neon tetras

~2 fancy tailed guppies (male unless he wants lots of fry)
~4 cories
~9 harlequin rasboras

~2 German Blue Rams (not very hardy, but beautiful when their needs are met)
~3 long finned leopard danios/3 sparkling gouramis
~2 fancy tailed guppies
~4 cories

Feel free to mix and match, other species that could be cool:
Tiger barbs (though 20 gallons is a bit small for them IMO and they are fin nippers )
Glolight Tetras
Platies
Bolivian Rams

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

Bolivian Rams should be okay. They tend to be easier to care for then German Blue Rams. I personally don't like platys and that I would rather go for guppies. here would be may stock:

4 male guppys (these aren't really hardy but aslong as water changes are kept up with they should be fine)
2 cherry barbs
5 cory cats
4 female bettas (the cherry barbs should be okay be tell him to keep an eye out at the start)