Please Critique My Stocking For A 20g

[cryslea]

Hi everyone! I have a 20g (US gallons) that is currently going through its fishless cycle. I'm using this time to research possible fish, and would like some feedback on some of my choices!

Basically, I have three categories, and I want to choose ONE of the following from each category. What I want to do is to choose a top fish, a middle fish, and a bottom fish. That way, I'd have variety on each level of the tank. So, for example, I'd have 1 betta, 1 school of rummy noses, and several kuhli loaches.

All of the fish fall within my water parameters and are readily available at my LFS. Also, I have medium sized, rounded gravel on the bottom, a large hidey-decoration, and it is lightly planted right now. I will probably add more plants and some driftwood or something before stocking, depending on the fish.

Category One: Top dwellers/centerpiece fish (Choose one)
* 1 betta: I'm quite confused over whether or not I could have a betta in my aquarium. Some people say absolutely not, others say it can work. This really would be my first choice, but I don't want to end up with dead/injured fish either.
* 2 dwarf gouarmis: Do they prefer to be kept in pairs or is it better to keep them alone?
* Swordtails: Are they too aggressive for a community tank? How many should I have
* Guppies (same sex): How many?
* Platies (same sex): How many?

Category Two: The schoolers (choose one)
* 8-10 Rummy nose tetras. I'm almost 100% certain on these. They're just so dang cute.
* Alternatively, I've considered having 2 schools of tetras instead of having a centerpiece fish. What would you suggest that would complement the rummy noses? I'm afraid that I'd end up overstocked, though, using the 1" to a gallon guideline.

Category Three: Bottom dwellers (do not have to serve as clean up crew, rather visual interest (choose one)
* 3-4 bronze or albino corys. I'm worried I'll end up overstocked since these guys can get kind of big.
* 3-4 kuhli loaches. Probably my first choice; these guys are super cute. The only thing is I've read they like sand, and I have gravel. Will this present a problem? I know if I get these guys, I'll definitely need to plant a bit heavier than I am now.
* otos: How many would I need? I've read they like to school?

Thanks so much for your input! Googling has taught me a lot, but it's hard to figure out how everybody would fit together in my tank. Feel free to add other suggestions, but I'd like to choose from these lists if possible.

 

[K.J.]

Bettas will get nipped by the tetras and will fight with the gouramis.
Need more cories.
Kuhli loaches grow too big.
Taking out all that, I'd still say it might be overstocked - wouldn't add the swordtails and would only have 2 guppies and 2 platies and only 6 rummynoses.

 

[cryslea]

I think you misunderstood. I want to choose ONE from each category. So, for example, a betta and the gouramis would never end up together.

How many cories would I need? I know they are schooling fish, but I've read 3-4 is considered okay. I'm worried about getting overstocked.

How big do Kuhlis get? I read they get 3-4 inches, but that doesn't seem like it would be too big... of course I have a very hard time visualizing what fish will look like, full grown, in my tank.

 

[K.J.]

Ohh sorry! I thought you mean that those were the fish for each level, heh.

I guess I was confusing them with clown loaches. Yeah they usually only grow to 3 - 4"

Anyway, I like category one & 3- category two doesn't have enough variety.

 

[Musho3210]

i dont like category 3, too many things on the bottom, plus i dont like otos in small tanks since when i had otos in small tanks they starved to death.

 

[cryslea]

That would be SO massively overstocked, having THAT MANY FISH.

I think you misunderstood again; I wish I knew how to explain this. What I want to do is to choose a top fish, a middle fish, and a bottom fish. That way, I'd have variety on each level of the tank. So, for example, I'd have 1 betta, 1 school of rummy noses, and several kuhli loaches. Does that make sense?

 

[Musho3210]

oh, im stupid..... sorry

 

[cryslea]

That's okay! I wasn't explaining it very well. I've edited the post to reflect what I meant. So, any ideas?

 

[Musho3210]

go with the gouramis for the top, rummy noses fir mid/centerpiece, and a pair of bolivian rams or a small school of dwarf/pygmy cories for the bottom. Add some amano shrimp for algae and detritus cleanup. Oh and since you are willing to research, learn, and listen, dont use the inch per gallon rule.

 

[cryslea]

I think that's the stocking I'll end up with, just based on my reading, it sounds like I can provide that group the best possible home. And, they seem like pretty easy fish for a first tank.

What do you think about the inch to gallon guideline? What are its strengths and weaknesses? I think I can probably overstock a bit according to that rule since I've done a ton of research and will be doing water changes regularly and such... I'm just surprised by your willingness to discard it that easily?

 

[Musho3210]

the weaknesses, it doesnt talk about mass (fish arent two dimensional), it doesnt talk about individual fish and waste production, it doesnt talk about how much you feed, doesnt talk about how much filtration you have, doesnt talk about surface agiation, doesnt talk about oxygen levels, doesnt talk about activity levels. There are many weaknesses to it.

 

[Thirdfloor]

the weaknesses, it doesnt talk about mass (fish arent two dimensional), it doesnt talk about individual fish and waste production, it doesnt talk about how much you feed, doesnt talk about how much filtration you have, doesnt talk about surface agiation, doesnt talk about oxygen levels, doesnt talk about activity levels. There are many weaknesses to it.

Ooh can someone tell me more about surface agitation? Why is it important? Is it necessary for all tanks or situational?

 

[Chrispixx]

What I want to do is to choose a top fish, a middle fish, and a bottom fish. That way, I'd have variety on each level of the tank.

What happens when your middle fish goes up top and your top fish goes in the middle?? how are you going to keep them where they are supposed to be? (i couldnt resist that)




The point is fish go where they want... my gouarmis go everywhere up, down, middle.. while my danios mainly stay up top, but will go down to the bottom looking for food.

The important thing is to stock your tank with fish that you will like. Not just fish you like now, but fish you will like in the future, as healthy fish will live a long while.

 

[cryslea]

The point is fish go where they want... my gouarmis go everywhere up, down, middle.. while my danios mainly stay up top, but will go down to the bottom looking for food.

Well, those little jerks!

I'm sure they won't stay perfectly in place, but that's just sort of the way the categories worked out. ...hmmm, maybe I'm a little TOO into list making...

Anyway, any ideas on the best choices in each category?

 

[stang1]

One of the reasons that Bettas don't make good community fish is the current. Most fish prefer a good water flow whereas a Betta likes calm water and very little current. Make sure you have a spare tank handy for your Betta in case it doesn't work out.
Dwarf Gouramies are best avoided as they are prone to disease and never seem to live for more than four months. You could try some Honey, Sparkling or Thick-Lipped Gouramies as an alternative.
For stocking I would probably go with:
3 Thick-Lipped Gouramies - 1 male and 2 females
6 Rummy Nosed Tetras
5 Ottos

Ottos are best kept in a group and prefer a mature tank, so you are best adding these after a few weeks.
Although it may go a little over the 1" per Gallon guildline, with regular maintenace and a decent filter you should be fine.

A lot of people don't agree with the guideline but it is good to use when first setting up a tank so not to cause overstocking. Adult size of fish, waste produced etc. must be taken into account when using it but it does give people a better idea of stocking numbers.