Suggestions for a new 20g setup.

[jcmissionary]

Hey all,

I've just gotten into this facinating hobby of fishkeeping, and have just started fishless cyclying on my 20 gallon tank, which is the largest tank that I can have in my apartment (stupid rental contracts, anyways). While I wait for the cycle to complete, I'd like to have a stocking plan and schedule set up so I know what to get first when I go to buy my fish.

I've floated a few plans of my own in some other forums, and they've been promptly shot down. So I thought that I'd ask here for some ideas. I'm open to any kind of species, so long as it will fit in my tank, and won't harrass his/her tankmates. I would like to have a few schools of Tetras; maybe a school of 6 or 7 black neon tetras, and maybe 5 or 6 Red Phantom Tetras. I'd also like to have a few honey or dwarf Gouramies, as well. I've also been told that maybe 3 or 4 Otocinclus would be useful as well for algae control in a tank such as mine. Of course, I'll still expect to have to clean algae from the tank, but they'd help.

So with that, I'd like to ask for help. From what I've read, these species are compatibile with each other, and they're fairly good beginner fish.

Thanks in advance!

As an afterthought, I was thinking also of having a pair of Kribs. Would they work with the species listed above?

[Matak]

Hey JC, welcome to AC! We won't shoot you down, but we will try to help steer you in the right direction. You mention that you are fishless cycling. If you know that much, then I guess it is safe to say that you know about the rule of thumb for stocking; about one inch of slender bodied fish for every gallon of water. That would give you about 19 inches of full grown fish (assuming about 1 gallon of gravel etc.)

My suggestion would be three Oto's, two SAE's and the balance of fish would be the tetra's or whatever other feature fish you wanted.

Sorry, I can't help you about the kribs.

Does your rental agreement stipulate how many 20g tanks you can have? You might be able to fulfill your stocking desires with multiple tanks.

[TKOS]

I would forgo the ottos as algae eaters. They are great fish but tend to rely on the brown algae in your tank. If you like them as a cool fish then go ahead. I also would have them unless you plan to plant the tank.

I would caution against 2 school of tetras. They will just end up inter school and forming one big school or more to the point numerous little school. I would pick the tetra you like the most and go with that. Also try and make sure that you pick on that isn't nippy if you want a gourami. 2 Dwarf gouramis would be a good idea with a small school of tetras. But don't forget the adult size of your fish when you are stocking. The gouramis get to be 2.5 to 3 inches long. So getting more than 2 might cause territorial disputes as they can be on the aggressive side.

You can fulfil your need for another school of fish by have one on the bottom. Perhaps cory catfish or khulie loaches would work well. They like company and are fun to watch.

Not overstocking your tank will mean that you will not have to do nearly as much work. My 20 gallon as 5 silver tip tetras, 2 dwarf gouramis and 2 flying foxes (which isn't really a great idea as they are a bit hostile to each other but have plenty of places to hide). It looks a but understocked but is very easy to maintain and care for. Plus it is full of plants so it is fun watching the fish hide and come out and swim through the leaves.

[PumaWard]

As an afterthought, I was thinking also of having a pair of Kribs. Would they work with the species listed above?

Kribs would be okay, however, you would have to cut out one of your schools to make room for them. You would also have to forgo the dwarf gourami as the kribs will harass them to no end.

I think you could have a nice little set up with a pair of kribs, 8 black neons (or red phantoms) and 3 otos. Maybe even 2-3 kuhli loaches to round out the bottom.