20G stocking

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Phil22

AC Members
Apr 9, 2007
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I'm really struggling with stocking for my daughter's 20G (24X12X17). Currently it has 3 keyhole cichlids (her favorite), 3 leopard danios, and one dwarf neon rainbowfish.

I know the rainbowfish should be in schools. I'm thinking of adding 3 or 4 more rainbowfish and maybe a couple more danios. Would I be way over stocked?
 
Remember the more that you stock the tank... the more often that you have to clean the tank!

Of course there is also the general rule of an inch of fish per gallon. Just remember to use adult sizes and not the size they currently are.

My vote would be to skip the extra danios and if you are able to and add 2 more rainbowfish.
 
please be aware that keyhole cichlids get almost 5 inches long.. so i beieve that you are already overstocked, as they will need more than a 20 gallon tank by themselves.

that being said, i agree that the first priority would be to finish out the schools.. rainbowfish first.
 
Amy2300 said:
Remember the more that you stock the tank... the more often that you have to clean the tank!

Of course there is also the general rule of an inch of fish per gallon. Just remember to use adult sizes and not the size they currently are.

My vote would be to skip the extra danios and if you are able to and add 2 more rainbowfish.
Click to expand...

I would definitely stay away from the inch per gallon rule. It is not accurate at all and can be misleading.

The keyholes will get relatively large, so I wouldn't even add to the schools, I would leave it as it is, except maybe add another danio or 2.
 
Keyholes are not large cichlids in captivity reaching slightly over 4". but 3 may be too large for a 20.
I would suggest a larger aquarium for the keyholes(Maronii) usually in the 30 gallon range.
 
If you want to add more fish and keep the ones you have, you should consider the tank upgrade. The keyholes will need the larger tank eventually, and the rainbowfish especially will do better with more room to swim and would also enjoy the company of other rainbowfish. Also, in a school of male and female rainbows, you'll most likely get to see the breeding stripes light up on the males if conditions are decent, but a single rainbowfish is unlikely to show his breeding stripe.
 
I hear yah. I'd love more tanks, but it's just not going to happen right away. Thanks for the input. I guess I'll leave it alone for now...or maybe, not being a fan of danios, I might take them back...but we'll see.
 
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