20g with something colorful?

brigid_marie

brigid_marie

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Feb 3, 2006
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Tiffin
As seen in previous posts, I've inherited a 20g (tall) slate bottom tank. I don't plan on setting it up until this fall, so I'm savoring in the planning (it's helping me silent the drum beats that say "bigger tanks..."). I want something colorful in it. I have 2 tanks of fancy gups, and I'd like a couple fish that are a little bit larger and something colorful (other than platys or mollies...I think). I'd also like to have more than one species if possible. I've only seen pictures of painted fruit tetras...does anyone have a link to a healthy unpainted one? (Roan...) ;)

Thanks! :hi:
 
A suggestion

1 Dwarf Gourami (good feature fish nice colors and interesting personality)
5 tetras or Rasboras (schooling mid level fish lot's of color not much personality)
3 cories (fun to watch active bottom fish)
2 Otto's (Add after tank is established to eat algea, could substitute Amano or Cherry shrimp)

If you want to be a bit more adventurous you could try a pair of dwarf cichlids such as Blue Rams (sensitive but pretty and interesting) or Apistos instead of the cories.
 
If you agree to limit it to ONE fish then you could try a Blood Parrot. These guys grow big but not so big that they wouldn't be happy in a tank of at least 10g ALONE. This is important because unless you have a large tank these guys will suffer from effects of overcrowding. Thy're intelligent and interesting.. and some have beautiful coloring. If you want more than one cichlid though, go with a dwarf species. Good luck.
 
Suggestion for colourfulfish (may be considered overstocked, but should work):

Pair of dwarf gouramis
6-8 harlequin rasboras
6 neon tetras
3-4 blue rams OR 2 apistos
3-6 ottos OR 1 SMALL pleco (eg bristlenose or zebra pleco) OR 2 upside down cats if you have only 2 blue rams or 2 apistos
2 or 3 small shrimp or some snails

They would need to be added slowly (over a few months, say one species every 2 weeks, with the rams or apistos being the last additions), and you'd need to keep up with water changes but this mix gives colourful fish in all tank levels (gouramis at the top, then rasboras, then neons, then rams). The catfish aren't that colourful but are weird and interesting. This suggestion requires lots of plants and wood/rocks to give plenty of hiding places.
 
momar said:
Pair of dwarf gouramis
6-8 harlequin rasboras
6 neon tetras
3-4 blue rams OR 2 apistos
3-6 ottos OR 1 SMALL pleco (eg bristlenose or zebra pleco) OR 2 upside down cats if you have only 2 blue rams or 2 apistos
2 or 3 small shrimp or some snails
Click to expand...

I would say that is a bit over stocked for a 20g tall- that's more fish than I have in my 30g and I'd say I was fully-stocked, if not over.

However, the suggestions of Gourami's is a good one. They IMO are a beautiful fish with many color varieties. Add a few dither/schooling fish, as has been suggested, and a few bottom dwellers and your tank would look very pleasant and colorful.

Good luck!
 
InR reason said:
If you agree to limit it to ONE fish then you could try a Blood Parrot. These guys grow big but not so big that they wouldn't be happy in a tank of at least 10g ALONE. This is important because unless you have a large tank these guys will suffer from effects of overcrowding. Thy're intelligent and interesting.. and some have beautiful coloring. If you want more than one cichlid though, go with a dwarf species. Good luck.
Click to expand...
You do know that BPs get from 8-10", right? Assuming they don't get stunted by being crammed into a 10g tank?

A 10g is only 10" deep, how would it turn around -- assuming it even got to it's full size and wasn't stunted?

Blood Parrots are not suitable fish for a 10g tank OR a 20high tank.

Roan
 
You guys rock

Thanks. You guys rock. I'll be setting up this fall when I move into my new apartment. I'll keep you posted on how things go with the new tank, but until then, new suggested assortments are appreciated...I can't wait!

:dance:
 
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