Stocking A 20 Gallon (high)

[SUDDS]

So I just got a 20 gallon high tank and I've got everything ready to be put together. All I need are plants and fish.

I know what plants I'm going to get. They are all going to be low light. My problem is with the fish.

After a lot of research I came up with this stock... but will this work? Would I be overstocking the tank? Are these fish not as compatible as I think?

2- Honey Gourami
2- Cherry Barb
6- Neon Tetra or Glowlight Tetra
6- Pygmy Cory Cats

My goal is to have one or two bigger fish... like dwarf or honey gouramis. Not huge but bigger than the rest of the fish I'm looking to put in. I also want some small colorful fish.... which is why I chose the tetra and cherry barb. And then some small fish to help clean up the bottom of the tank... thus the pygmy corys.

If you have any better suggestions for stock, please share! I'm totally open (As long as they are tropical fish )!

 

[LolaLouie]

Cherry barbs will be far happier in a group, perhaps 3 males and 3 females. Other than that the only concern is the Honey Gouramis, if they are anything like dwarf gouramis they will not work as a pair, 2 males will fight like mad and a male will chase a female especially in a tank that size. Why not get 1 Dwarf gourami or 1 Honey Gourami and then I think you will have a very happy tank.

Depending on your filatration I'd say you could also have 5 small regular corys (e.g. panda) instead of 6 pygmy... I think regular gouramis have far more character than pygmy and are much more fun to watch.

Good luck with it all.. remember to cycle, and to add the fish slowly, you don't have any particularly hardy fish in that list so i would recommend a fishless cycle.

 

[littlest]

Honey gouramis are supposed to be quite peaceful, shy fish - definately more so than dwarf gouramis anyway. I only ever hear of them being kept in trios though (one male, 2 females) rather than in pairs, but I don't know if that's a necessity or not. someone in the gourami section will know I'm sure.

in regards to having panda cories (or similar) instead of pymys - its worth noting that its a 20G high rather than a 20G long - so the footprint is smaller. so maybe pygmys are better suited? (not totally sure)

 

[SUDDS]

Cherry barbs will be far happier in a group, perhaps 3 males and 3 females. Other than that the only concern is the Honey Gouramis, if they are anything like dwarf gouramis they will not work as a pair, 2 males will fight like mad and a male will chase a female especially in a tank that size. Why not get 1 Dwarf gourami or 1 Honey Gourami and then I think you will have a very happy tank.

Depending on your filatration I'd say you could also have 5 small regular corys (e.g. panda) instead of 6 pygmy... I think regular gouramis have far more character than pygmy and are much more fun to watch.

Good luck with it all.. remember to cycle, and to add the fish slowly, you don't have any particularly hardy fish in that list so i would recommend a fishless cycle.

I read somewhere that Cherry Barbs like to be alone or in pairs. I think I got that from Fishprofiles.com. So thanks for the correction.

I have also heard the Honey Gouramis were okay in pairs, but I know each fish is different and many anabantoids will bully each other and sometimes other fish. I will do more research though, thank you for bringing this to my attention.

Honey gouramis are supposed to be quite peaceful, shy fish - definately more so than dwarf gouramis anyway. I only ever hear of them being kept in trios though (one male, 2 females) rather than in pairs, but I don't know if that's a necessity or not. someone in the gourami section will know I'm sure.

in regards to having panda cories (or similar) instead of pymys - its worth noting that its a 20G high rather than a 20G long - so the footprint is smaller. so maybe pygmys are better suited? (not totally sure)

Well as I stated in my post above, I need to do more research on Honey Gouramis. I need to look into the Trio thing too. If I were to get a Trio would that put me over stock wise?

Also, this is why I chose the pygmys. I know stocking a 20G high is a bit different than a 20G or 20G long. Plus, I think pygmys are cute .

So I'll definitely be taking a look into Honey Gourami's. Thanks guys

If anyone else has any imput, please share! I just wanna get this stocking thing right .