Starting a 20gal tank with kids

S

slgunnel

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Aug 17, 2005
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Moody, AL
I tried doing a search, but I wasn't too successful. My question is - What types of fish can a first timer keep in a 20 gallon tank? I have 2 small children (boy is 4 and girl is 3) and they have been wanting an aquarium since my little girl can't have pets due to allergies. I've had the aquarium up and running for 3-4 days now to get everything regulated. We would like to go this weekend and start picking out fish. I've read a lot of post and plan to follow the add a few fish at a time over a course of time. I've also read a lot of information on the different types of fish and what the aquarium needs to be like in order to suit their needs. I've got the temp regulated around 78, no live plants for now, do have some fake ones though, and a nice hiding place for them (a stump figure with places to hide). I've read so much about different fish that I'm unsure as to what to really get.... I would like to get fish the kids would enjoy along with an algae eater, maybe a snail, and wouldn't mind having some shrimp. I'm really open on options though. PLEASE HELP!! I don't want to mess it up and have unhappy fish... I'm really glad I found this place. This is my first REAL aquarium to start.

Thanks!!!
Shannon
 
You cannot go wrong on choosing a school of Tetras. There are all sorts of colorful ones to choose from that are good for first timers. Another interesting fish is the Tiger Barb. As for an algae eater I would wait until your aquarium is well-established. I do not know much about snails, but from what I have read everyone seems to like the Apple Snail. A lot of people also like the Ammano Shrimp and Ghost Shrimp. I am by no means an expert so I would wait and see what others have to say. Make sure you cycle your tank before getting fish though.
 
Before you go to get fish PLEASE read the stickies and everything else on the forum about how to cycle your tank. If your tank is not ready for fish, you will have tears because they will die.

While I love tetras and keep them myself I would go with something a little hardier and exciting. Most of the fish for your 20 gal will probably be schooling fish. The kids will want 1 of those, 2 of those and 1 of that kind. The fish won't be that happy and, IMO, the tank looks sort of boring. The beauty of schooling fish is watching how they interact with each others.

Swordtails and platies are hardy and come in many different colors. That way ou can say "Yes" to "Mommy can we have a read one, a black one, a gold one and two..." You would just have the same species, swordtail or platy, and get to watch the interaction. Two females for each male is good. The only problem is they breed like rabbits and they will either outbreed the size of the tank or the babies will get eaten. Cannibalism is hard to explain to little kids.

Take a look at barbs NOT TINFOIL BARBS BECAUSE THEY GET TOO BIG. Tiger barbs, as an example, are colorful, hardy and constantly active. Zebra Danios are the same. Both species are schooling fish and tiger barbs can get very agressive if not kept in a school. Tiger barbs also come in an albino and green moss looking color.

Just a few ideas. You'll get a lot more from this crowd! :))
 
I have read the stickys here. I think I'm having an aquarium knowledge overload when it comes to the type of fish I want/need. Thanks for the quick replies and I look forward to hearing other suggestions.
 
Just make sure you stay away from the fish that get too large/aggressive....
There are exceptions, and this is not all inclusive, but many plecos, most fish labeled as "sharks", arowanas, pacus, oscars, cichlids, clown loaches, ... anyone else??
Cory cats are great, if you decide to add them to the tank, just make sure you get at least 3 of the same kind.
 
Amanos are a really good scavenger/algae eater for a 20 gallon. My kids like the amano shrimp in our tank even better than the fish. They don't hide during the day like the otos.
 
you should get tetras rasboras small barbs cory cats danios and 1 cheap catfish or redtail sharks
thats what i got when i started my first tank or you could get a pair of convict cichlids :cool:
 
I know what you mean about overload.
it will sort it self out with time. :)
I think Longtimes post was Excellent. He makes a good point about the sword tails and platties.
Please Note that he specifically mentioned stickies about Cycling.
It is possible to cycle the tank without fish in it. Then you can add the fish all at once.
It does mean that you can't buy fish this weekend, but it also means Two Imprtantr things!
1) you wont have to worry about adding "likely to tolerate a cycle" to list of requirements on fish.
2) You are less likely to have fish dying on you!!
If you Do go with the 'adding fish gradually over time" method. just be sure to keep on top of testing and be ready to do frequent water changes.
Cories are good beginner fish IMO. And really personable. get no fewer than three.
A dwarf gourami might be a good larger fish.
cardinal tetras are really pretty..and tougher than the neons.
I think youd want to pretty much have your stocking list figured out ahead of time, and then decide which to add first.
Oh, how about some guppies?
Is there any reason not to have all males? ( so as not to have to worry about fry)
 
Remember to cycle you tank. You coudl do it faster with biospira or you can use the fishless cyclying technique, which will work well. If you don't, your fish will probably die.

After you have finished cycling, I would go with a small school of tetras, perhaps neons or other small ones. Maybe a pair of dwarf gouramis, or neon gouramis. A small group of corries woudl be nice in a 20 gallon. Just be sure not to overstock or get fish that grow bigger than 4 inches or so.
 
greendeltatke said:
Amanos are a really good scavenger/algae eater for a 20 gallon. My kids like the amano shrimp in our tank even better than the fish. They don't hide during the day like the otos.
Click to expand...

I have three otos in my 20gal and they are out all the time. They're not shy at all and often hang on the front of the tank. I also have 6 green cories, and a male and a female dwarf gourami. All get along great! The otos and cories really help keep the tank clean (but you'll still need to gravel vac at least once a week.). One more thing, please please consider fishless cycling or if you are set on cycling with fish, get some biospira and do daily water changes and test your water everyday or more to limit the damage to your fish.
 
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