Suggestions please for a 20 G

I wouldn't worry about pH, it's not that big of a deal. The pH being stable is more important.

You might want to look into some bottom feeders like cory cats, 3-5 cories. I

You could probably have a single convict cichlid. (no cory cats)
A single jewel cichlid. (no cories)
Some smaller Lake Tang cichlids, like the julie species that stay around 3 inches. Or a pair or two of shell dwellers.

You could have a pair of kribenis, which would be okay with cories.

You could have 1 red-tailed shark or one rainbow shark.

You could have 1 male paradise fish or a few female paradise fish.


Really, as long as the fish won't outgrow your tank, you have endless possibilities. Trying looking at species profiles to get better ideas.

Just my 2 cents, HTH

go for the kribs


Because danios are surface dwellers any sort of bottom-dwelling fish would suit I think. Cichlids are good for this. Rams are quite nice and tend to get along with everyone except my angel. You should at least have some bottom feeders, like PumaWard said.

a pair of keyholes, a few kuhlis, and a few upper fish like small tetras or rasbora. oh yeah and a handfull of amano shrimp. maybe a small school of cories in place of the kuhli.

im all about the keyholes lately, the one ive aquired recently is such a neat little peacefull fish. i hope he does ok with his tankmates.

Strange! Well, the ram I have tends to be quite good with the danios ( I have three Leapord and three Pearl danios). Although, they tend to stay within three inches of the surface of the water. So, if your danios like the bottom and you want to try rams, maybe get some German blue rams or Gold rams, which in my experience like to swim higher up in the tank. Mmmm thats all I can suggest, but good luck!

Cichlids from different areas of the world 'prefer' different pH levels.

Cichlids from Lake Malawi and Lake Tangangyika in Africa, aka rift lake cichlids, do prefer a pH range around 8. Smaller Cichlids from Central America, like the convict cichlid, would most likely thrive in your water conditions, as they seem to 'prefer' the pH to be 7-8. Generally, South American Cichlids like lower pH, between 6 and 7. The same goes for most West African Cichlids.

However, many tank bred and raised fish have been raised in conditions which can and do differ greatly from their natural habitat. Because of this, they can thrive in many different waters than what their wild counterparts might be able to. Danios are a very good example of this as they can survive and thrive in many different conditions than that in their natural enviroment. This makes them a very hardy fish.

More important is water temperature and water quality. For instance, if a fish were kept in water with the same gH, kH, and pH as its natural enviroment but the water was too cold or too warm and their were too many toxins (ammonia and nitrite) in the water, that fish would not likely live very long. But, that same fish in less than perfect pH, gH, kH levels, but with a good temperature and clean water, would more likely be the one to thrive.

As far as the rams; I have kept them before and they did very well in my water which has a pH of 7.8, gH of 9-10, and a kH of about 6. They are another specie which has come along way from their wild counterpart.

Hey, it's not weird that your danios like to hang at the bottom. This is where they will go to spawn, and the others will go down there to eat the eggs. Also, they like to go through the gravel with their barbels and find leftovers
With danios, I suggest some faster moving fish, because it's hard for slow fish to compete for food. Cories are a great idea, and maybe some loaches? Kribs are gorgeous but I've never kept them and they are hard to find in some areas.

Good luck!

firemouth