I'm half way through the fishless cycling process, and starting to think about what fish to get. Looking to get a variety of colorful ones... like 10 maybe? My PH is around 7.4ish from tap water, but from what I read around here PH isnt that big of a deal as long as its between 8 and 6. Any ideas? I'm a complete newb when it comes to fish and which ones could get along together.
Any ideas on what fish to get for my 20gal?
- Thread starter tszabo86
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tanker
Josh Holloway--Be mine!!!
My 20g long has:
Male Betta
7 Zebra Danios
6 Neon Tetras
3 BN Plecos
You could do something similar, but I'd suggest only getting 5 ZDs if you like ZDs. They are active all the time and don't school, so 5 is a good amount to keep them happy and the tank not too busy. You could then up the school of neons, or cardinal tetras, harlies, cherry barbs etc to 8. I'd only get 1 BN or Clown Plecos though. I'm pushing it with 3. If you don't like plecos then you can get Snails or Otos for the bottom.
Male Betta
7 Zebra Danios
6 Neon Tetras
3 BN Plecos
You could do something similar, but I'd suggest only getting 5 ZDs if you like ZDs. They are active all the time and don't school, so 5 is a good amount to keep them happy and the tank not too busy. You could then up the school of neons, or cardinal tetras, harlies, cherry barbs etc to 8. I'd only get 1 BN or Clown Plecos though. I'm pushing it with 3. If you don't like plecos then you can get Snails or Otos for the bottom.
I'm also a gnube, but I'm 1 month into my 20 gallon long, so I think I can maybe share my experience -- like a sci-fi movie where you go back in time 1 month to tell former-you about the future 
...
My 20 has 1 dwarf gourami, 8 zebra danios, 8 julii corys, and a few apple snails. It's planted with sand substrate and an AquaClear 50 HOB filter.
Everyone seems to be getting along fine, so I think my overall scheme is good. If your 20 is a HIGH and not a long, then I wouldn't recommend danios -- they like space to zip and zoom. They're very active, which is fun to watch. The corys aren't as active as I hoped -- mostly sit under the wood and plants, but they are pretty cute when they're sifting through the sand. (it's possible that I need to adjust conditions to bring out the best in them) The DG doesn't seem to care about the other fish, but spends a lot of time poking at his reflection, so would definitely recommend a background if you get one to limit that.
Good luck!
...My 20 has 1 dwarf gourami, 8 zebra danios, 8 julii corys, and a few apple snails. It's planted with sand substrate and an AquaClear 50 HOB filter.
Everyone seems to be getting along fine, so I think my overall scheme is good. If your 20 is a HIGH and not a long, then I wouldn't recommend danios -- they like space to zip and zoom. They're very active, which is fun to watch. The corys aren't as active as I hoped -- mostly sit under the wood and plants, but they are pretty cute when they're sifting through the sand. (it's possible that I need to adjust conditions to bring out the best in them) The DG doesn't seem to care about the other fish, but spends a lot of time poking at his reflection, so would definitely recommend a background if you get one to limit that.
Good luck!
I'm also a gnube, but I'm 1 month into my 20 gallon long, so I think I can maybe share my experience -- like a sci-fi movie where you go back in time 1 month to tell former-you about the future
My 20 has 1 dwarf gourami, 8 zebra danios, 8 julii corys, and a few apple snails. It's planted with sand substrate and an AquaClear 50 HOB filter.
Everyone seems to be getting along fine, so I think my overall scheme is good. If your 20 is a HIGH and not a long, then I wouldn't recommend danios -- they like space to zip and zoom. They're very active, which is fun to watch. The corys aren't as active as I hoped -- mostly sit under the wood and plants, but they are pretty cute when they're sifting through the sand. (it's possible that I need to adjust conditions to bring out the best in them) The DG doesn't seem to care about the other fish, but spends a lot of time poking at his reflection, so would definitely recommend a background if you get one to limit that.
Good luck!
I have a 10g with a Gourami and it has a background, and it still pokes at itself. Its funny because he aggressive towards his reflection, but a scary-cat when he sees me walking by. He's afraid of the camera too, even when it doesn't light up at all.:lipssealedsmilie:
get some white cloud minnows... or the vietnamese white clouds as they are smaller. beautiful and active fish, and don't even require a heater! or you could get some celestial pearl danios... beautiful fish, are pretty zippy as well (at least for me). dwarf cories are also very nice, and you could probably get a big school of them in a small sized tank.
I'm a big fan of apistos (apistogramma) and rams! They are peaceful cichlids that stay small so you still have lots of room for other fish!
I recommend a pair of rams and a trio of some apisto. Also look for a BN pleco for algae control. Next you could add a small school of neon tetras or better yet cardinal tetras (more color). You could also add a small school of glowlight tetras. If you go with a heavily planted tank you could possibly add some dwarf shrimp.
try a small cichlid as a centerpeice fish. keyhole cichlids are small, docile, pretty, and active fish.
the cichlid-forum has some good stocking ideas:
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/cookie_cutter_20g.php
the cichlid-forum has some good stocking ideas:
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/cookie_cutter_20g.php