Can someone recommend big fish

[stubborn]

Hi all...I have a 20 Gallon freshwater aquarium which is fairly new. Its been cycled and has been up for like a month now. Tests for ph, nitrate, nitrite, alkalinity are ok.

I have two sunset Platys and one red platy inside. I also see a small platy fish from yesterday, so looks like one platy gave birth. So total of 4 fish.

I want to add a big freshwater fish now because I think the tank has enough space to accomodate one and moreover I like having big fishes in addition to the smaller ones. Can someone recommend a big fish(not very expensive) that is freshwater and is hardy and looks good. I think I may need to get two of 'em so that one doesn't get lonely right?

thanks

[majortank]

Well, I think big is relative when considering a 20 gallon... A dwarf gourami would do well in a 20, they get around 3-4 inches... You won't be able to fit a 5+ inch fish in a 20g tank comfortably IMO.

[beblondie]

define big please

[Madding]

I'd say a good-sized Gourami would be okay with those fish in a 20g. There really isn't much we can recommend given the small tank space and the fact that most big fish on my mind would be too aggressive towards those tankmates.

[Hebily]

Pearl gourami. 4-5 inches. A pair would do well.

<----See my avi

The males have the gold on the 'stomach'.

[stubborn]

Thanks...
By big I meant "as big a fish as I can put inside" as long as it doesn't hurt other fish and is comfortable inside the tank. I will try dwarf gourami. I just hope it doesn't atatck the Platys? Also I just googled this fish and looks like it is ok to put just one gourami inside as they are not social.

The baby platy may die because I think it will find it difficult to get food because of competition from other fish inside. I want to remove it from the tank and keep it in a bowl, but its getting very difficult to catch it because of the tiny size.

[Hebily]

Dwarf gourami can be aggressive, but usu. not with just one. Pearls are a lot more passive, I definately still reccomend them. If you want a dwarf, though, there are a lot of beautiful color morphs. It should brighten up considerably after it's in your tank a while.

[majortank]

I've only had Dwarf Gouramis that were aggressive. Never messed with my cories but really gave my tetras a hard time... He was also in a 20. Also, the dwarf gouramis have pretty short lifespans, like 1-2 years, if that.

[jaredc]

I would also recommend the pearl gourami. I've got one in a 20 gal and it is a very peaceful tankmate and doesn't bother any of the other fish. Plus, they are absolutely beautiful fish, as you can see from Hebily's avatar.

[erinw621]

I would also recommend the pearl gourami. I've got one in a 20 gal and it is a very peaceful tankmate and doesn't bother any of the other fish. Plus, they are absolutely beautiful fish, as you can see from Hebily's avatar.

What other fish do you have with the pearl gourami? I'm curious, as I am starting up a 20gallon tank.

[DSR]

I have two red flame gouramis (I think that is the name). They are very social towards each other and never mess with my other fish. I also have two blue gouramis (about 3" each). They behave the same way. The blues are beautiful larger fish if that is what you are going after. They have quickly become two of my favorites. Good luck.

[jaredc]

What other fish do you have with the pearl gourami? I'm curious, as I am starting up a 20gallon tank.

Right now I only have 6 zebra danios in with it. If it was going to be aggressive toward anything, I would have to imagine the zebras would be annoying enough for it to go off on them...they're like little kids on a constant sugar buzz.

When I first introduced the pearl to the tank, the zebras did swim around it for a little bit trying to figure out what it was and were kind of nipping at its ventral fins, but it never seemed to mind it too much.

[Hebily]

They are a lot nicer looking than the pics of them, too. I was set on getting a flame dwarf, and a female dwarf. Then I stumbled upon pearls in one LFS, and liked them so much more. The pictures just can't capture the colors of these beautiful fish.