Tankmate Suggestion

[luckie13]

Hi everyone, I'm a newbie to this hobby. Never own a fish tank b4 but my roommate owned two 50g and 110g, thats how I learn to appreciate this beautiful hobby. Anyway, I want to set up a 20g community tank, and I'm thinking of getting the following fishes:

glowing danio 2" each, with 4 color variation, a pair each color, totaled 8

neon tetra or cardinal tetra 2" each: a school of 4

boesemani rainbow 2" each: maybe 3


I also want some Splendid Killifish but I'm afraid it would be pushing the limit.

as for cleaner fish, I dont know which want stay small and clean effectively, thus I need some expert help on that matter.

Let's me know if my tankmate selection is okay, thanks guys

 

[Corleone]

I might stick with the rainbows or the neons, and up the group size - 10 or 12 neon/cardinal tetras will be quite active, and with good light (set a lamp in front of the tank - the lighting int he tank hood just doesn't do them justice), they can be spectacular. Schooling fish generally do better in bigger groups, but I think they'd be ok together, too.

You might want something at the bottom of the tank, too. Corydora catfish (say, group of 5) are small, and there's a great number of species with different coloring. I have peppered corys, myself, but if you're looking for more color, panda cories (and similar black/white colored species like masked corys and skunk corys) are very nice looking.

GloFish are very colorful, but they're genetically engineered. I don't have a problem with them (as opposed to dyed fish, which I do), but some may suggest alternatives.

That said, I will, too, because I'm a shill for pearl danios. Pearl danios look pale boring pink in the store usually, but when they settle in, they're a blaze of different reds - metallic red lines on their top and belly, bright red shading on their side and tail, and they flash blue under light (set up a lamp, just like with the neons). Not quite as colorful, but I think they put on a better show than any other danio.


Anyway, there's a rule of thumb of 1 inch per gallon for stocking new tanks. There's a lot of problems with this rule, but for the fish you're looking at, it's a good safe stocking level that you won't be overstocked with.

After six months (from the end of your cycle, not initial setup), when you have some experience and are comfortable with water testing and maintainance, you can start stepping that up a bit, just don't push yourself. The more stock you have, the more attention the tank will take, and six months from now you may well have developed full blown multitank syndrome

Read up on fishless cycling at the top of the New to the Hobby section, make sure you get a good start at it and you'll enjoy the process MUCH more. Bad cycling experience and advice is probably the biggest reason people end up giving up fish. If you haven't got the tank yet, give some consideration to a slightly larger tank. 20 gallons is a good size, not too small, and you can have a good collection of fish in there. My first tank was a 29 gallon, which opened up a good few more options than a 20, and if you get a good start at the hobby (and you're in the right place for that!), you might end up wanting an upgrade before long, anyway.

 

[rabbut]

to TFF

The proposed stocking isn't too bad for a first proposal, I have certainly seen far worse. It shows that you have at least done some research which most prople don't bother doing untill they have issues, so well done for making a good start.

IMO the rainbows will get too big for a 20g. These are large-ish and active fish, getting to 4-5inches, that need a group for security. They will only show their full colour when mature, established and feeling secure. You would want a group of at least 6 realy if you wnt to keep them. As the above poster has said, you may need to choose between these and the tetras

Glowing danios, though not my cup of tea, are nice little fish, that are excelent for community tanks, and also very forgiving of "newbie errors". As a firt fish to keep, they are ideal

I'd mebe consider for the first six months, something like this;

6 glowing danio and
either 6 bosmani rainbows
or 6-12 neon tetras

Then after 6 months, mebe adding;

either 6 ottos
or 6 dwarf corries

as clean-up crew

This would bring a final stockin of;

6 glowing danios
6 bosmani rainbows/6-12 neon tetras
6 ottos/corries

This gives movement at all levels of the tank, with active and colourful fish. Something to look at deffinately

HTH
Rabbut

EDIT TO ADD: please fishless cycle with AMMONIA, before adding fish. It is far more humane and safer for the fish. See [topic="113861"]this thread[/topic] for details of fishless cycling. Also, mature media from your friends tank can be used to speed the cycle. If you can't get any mature media from friends or family, post in the pinned thread at the top of this sub-forum to ask members to donate some mature media

 

[luckie13]

thank you for the warm welcome guys.

you guys are so helpful and ur suggestion are greatly appreciate as I'm a newbie and need all the help I can get

I havent get the tank yet, actually, debating between a 20g and 30g tank, but as rabbut point out, it seem that the bigger the tank, the less maintain is need and more stocking options are available, so I probably go with the 30g. thanks

and I will definitely read the cycling topic to grab a better understanding about this importance step. After the cycling step is finished, I probably take rabbut suggestion to start out, and go from there. thanks again guys

 

[Faythee]

Go with the 30 gallon. People always wish they went bigger

I too think the Rainbows get too big for a 20, and even a 30 gallon. I have them in a 75 gallon and they are VERY active.

With a 30 gallon you would have the option of a centerpice fish or pair along with a shoal of Danios or Tetras and some bottom dwellers.