Centerpiece for my invert tank?

[elliriyanna]

I have a 20 gallon long running a 35 gallon sponge with live plants, Currently there are just snails and shrimp in the tank and I would like these inverts to stay happy and healthy but I would like a centerpiece fish who will not munch too heavily on the shrimp or eat my plants.

I would prefer not to get another betta, The last one got a fin nipping obsession and I can not go through that again.

 

[tanker]

A Gouramis?? A Honey or Sparklin would look nice.

 

[Hr0th9ar]

Any fish you put in there WILL eat your baby shrimp. Not all but they will eat a fair portion of your offspring.

Sent from my SGS4 Active

 

[OrionGirl]

If the betta was the only fish in the tank, whose fins was he nipping?

That said, you could go with a black paradise fish--not sure how many shrimp he'd eat, but they're gorgeous, lots of character. Other options would be a group of one of the micro rasboras, or clown killies. They wouldn't impact the shrimp population, and a group of 20+ would be entertaining.

 

[elliriyanna]

he was eating his own fins ...

Would platies or other live bearers be an option? They would have the chance at eating their own fry which would probably save some shrimp. I also love tetras... I could do a small school or just one centerpiece fish. I am a huge gourami fan lol.

 

[OrionGirl]

Did you actually see him nipping his own fins?

Least killies would be safe with shrimp--they're smaller than most cherries, and a livebearer (not actually). I like them, but they're not a flashy fish by any stretch.

Look at chili rasboras, or the sparrow rasboras. Both are pretty, and you could safely keep a large enough school that they'll stand out.

Norman's Lamp Eyes might work too--they'd contrast with the cherry shrimp, and are similarly sized.

 

[ManEatingShrimp]

Dwarf cories stay very small and most people agree they do not eat many shrimp. Pygmy cories seem to swim in the water column more than most cories too.

 

[elliriyanna]

yes I did he would swim around and grab his own fins.

I have never seen any of those fish here, are there any more common fish I could try?

A friend just offered me platy fry, Should I tell her yes or no?

 

[OrionGirl]

Platies will eat the shrimp.

Why don't you list what's available? Or consider buying online?

 

[elliriyanna]

There are too many to list O.O

Its too cold now in my area to buy online. yes i know about heat packs but they can only do so much.

Petsmart is really the only pet store I can go to in my area.