New 20 Gallon Tank, Stocking Help

[mello85]

Hi folks! I'm new here so I guess I'll introduce myself. My name is Lou, I've recently decided to get back into the hobby after many years away. I figured I'd seek some expert help regarding the proper setup of an aquarium so here it goes!

I was wondering if you guys can help me with some tank stocking ideas.

I am getting a 20 gallon tank. I have a general idea of the fish I want, but I'm not sure about the compatibility or whether or not 20 gallons will be enough for what I want.

What I would like:

• 5-6 Zebra Danios (top swimmers, schooling, grow to about 2 inches)
  4-5 Black Mollys (mid swimmers, sometimes school, grow to about 3 inches
  5-6 velvet wag swordtails (mid swimmers, schooling, grow to about 3 inches
  3 Red-tailed sharks (bottom swimmers, not schooling, grow to about 5 inches)

I have read that as a rule of thumb (many people disagree with this) you should provide 1 gallon of water for 1 inch of fish. Doing the math, I will have about 60 inches of fish (assuming they are full grown) in a 20 gallon tank. What do you guys think of this setup?

If any of you have similar setups, I would really appreciate it if you could post some pictures so I can have a look at what a well balanced aquarium looks like.

Personally I think that you would have to look through a magnifying glass to find any one of 16-20 fish in a 60 gallon tank (as would be required by the "rule of thumb" stated above)

Thanks in advance!

 

[Dutsey]

I would only have 1 red tail shark as they are very aggressive when they are older.

The rest sound ok. Be prepared to have lots of fry with the livebearers.

 

[mello85]

I would only have 1 red tail shark as they are very aggressive when they are older.

The rest sound ok. Be prepared to have lots of fry with the livebearers.

Thanks for the reply!

If you don't mind me asking, what are the livebearers? swordtails and mollys?

Can you think of any bottom swimming species that may help "control" the livebearer population? How about the Cory Catfish? Instead of 3 red-tailed sharks, how about 1 red-tailed shark and about 4 cory catfish? (to help keep the tank clean and hopefully keep the livebearer population down.

Thanks again!

 

[interpet123]

i was gonna get 2 yoyo loaches for my 20 gal, like a way smaller version of clown loaches!! Still beautiful!!

They grow to 4 inches full size. Hope i could help, Alex