Need some input on a new school for a well planted 20H.

ROYWS3

ROYWS3

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Aug 29, 2000
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Roy
So after 4+ years, my daughter's last black phantom tetra finally died. I need a new schooling fish and some input would be greatly appreciated to help me make a decision. As mentioned, it's a well planted 20 high and the only things in there right now are a pair of pelvicachromis taeniatus moliwe, two otto's, a small (quarter size) marble angel and a zebra nerite. I'd like a tight schooler. I saw some black neons, flame (Von Rio) tetras and cherry barbs at the the LFS today that caught my eye. The black neons were schooling the tightest.

I'd like some suggestions as to what you guys like, what you're keeping now or what you've kept in the past and how tight a schooler they are. (Did I mention I want a tight school)

I'm thinking a school of 10-13 of a smaller species or 7 of a larger species like Lemons would fit nicely.

Thanks in advance,
Roy
 
Black neons would certainly do that and so would penguins. Consolidated Fish Farm has regular and albino Black Neons, and Glowlights. They also have Blind Cave and penguins.
 
Cherry barbs don't school though, even in a large tank they are all over with only some individual interaction from my experience with them in a 75 with an angel. With an angelfish in the tank, (thinking long term here), you would have to check adult sizes of whatever you get because some angels will eat neon sized fish. You might get away with it if they grow up with the angel, but it isn't a sure thing that it wouldn't be a problem.
 
Sorry to rain on the parade, but I don't think there is room in this tank for anything else, and there are going to be issues with the present fish. A 20g high is not sufficient space for two pairs of cichlids plus an angelfish. I hope there are concrete plans to move/re-home these fish fiarly soon? Detrimental effects of this type of crowding can occur rapidly even though the fish may appear "small" now. Confined cichlids in such a small space can lead to increased aggression as they mature.

Byron.
 
I also suggest the Black Neons, but be warned that they won't always stay packed together. I have a school of 5 in my 75gal (I'm bumping it up to 9 soon) and they tend to be more scattered around the tank than in a single school.
 
Byron Amazonas said:
Sorry to rain on the parade, but I don't think there is room in this tank for anything else, and there are going to be issues with the present fish. A 20g high is not sufficient space for two pairs of cichlids plus an angelfish. I hope there are concrete plans to move/re-home these fish fiarly soon? Detrimental effects of this type of crowding can occur rapidly even though the fish may appear "small" now. Confined cichlids in such a small space can lead to increased aggression as they mature.

Byron.
Click to expand...

I agree with this statement. There's not enough room for an Angel to properly grow and mature. The pair of cichlids, if breeding, will cause problems for all other fish in a tank that size. Adding fish would be asking for trouble.


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Byron Amazonas said:
Sorry to rain on the parade, but I don't think there is room in this tank for anything else, and there are going to be issues with the present fish. A 20g high is not sufficient space for two pairs of cichlids plus an angelfish. I hope there are concrete plans to move/re-home these fish fiarly soon? Detrimental effects of this type of crowding can occur rapidly even though the fish may appear "small" now. Confined cichlids in such a small space can lead to increased aggression as they mature.

Byron.
Click to expand...

I concur with this statement...
 
I thank all for their input. There may have been a misunderstanding -- there is only one pair of dwarf cichlids in that tank, not two and this "Krib" species is a very mild-mannered fish - even when breeding
 
I agree with Roy here. Most sub species of Kribs will have no issue in a 20H as long as it is not crowded by bottom feeders like corys or loaches. The angel will likely be a problem down the line, but not for a while. In my opinion angels need at least a 30gal. It shounds like te tank environment is well balanced so I don't see a problem with the schoolers if kept within reason. From the sounds of it, Roy intends to do just that.
 
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