stocking 20g

[jparnell]

Hiya
Just got a new aquarium. It's going to be planted... got all the setup today including co2 etc. Aquaclear 150 filter, heater of course.

I'm trying to plan this one a little better than the last tank I set up. Here's what I'm thinking of... is this too much?

4 angelfish
2 otos
1 cory
1 red tailed shark
maybe 3 velvet swordtails

Thoughts appreciated

 

[Watcher74]

Well for one thing, a 20 gallon is not tall enough to accomodate an angelfish. They need a taller tank. And 4 angelfish is way too much for anything smaller than a 55 gallon minimum IMO.

Corys tend to like to stay in groups of 3 at a minimum, preferably larger. No angels, more oto's and cory's.

I think a red-tail gets way too big for a 20 gallon as well.

The swordtails would be fine, I think.

 

[freeless2002]

Well for one thing, a 20 gallon is not tall enough to accomodate an angelfish. They need a taller tank. And 4 angelfish is way too much for anything smaller than a 55 gallon minimum IMO.

Corys tend to like to stay in groups of 3 at a minimum, preferably larger. No angels, more oto's and cory's.

I think a red-tail gets way too big for a 20 gallon as well.

The swordtails would be fine, I think.

You can have a pair of angels in a 20 gallon (I have a success breeding pair in a community tank and they are not going breed if they are crowed) with no real problem. So if you wanted to get 4 small angels and see if they pair off and trade/sell the other 2. A red tail shark will only get to be four inchs or so. a small colony of panda cories would work,

 

[Swimfins]

I have a 25g long tank, and I can't see any full sized angels in there......
I suppose if they were small, and you only kept them there until they got big, 3 might work.

I got a 'rainbow' shark (red fins and black body )today. Pretty. I put her in a 66g today. Very bold fish, immediately checking things out. Shows no fear at all. Beware, that this fish can be aggressive in confined space. I'm learning about them myself. I have been told both the black tail shark (black body, red tail) and ruby (or rainbow) shark, are territorial. He needs rocks or cave of his own. You can keep one in your 20g, with the angels it will work for awhile, but you'll likely have to go bigger later on. Get them all while small so they can grow together.

 

[Blinky]

I'd steer clear of angels in a tank that small - they look teeny in the store, but they're territorial and actually get quite large (8-10" tall, with a body the size of your palm - make a fist, extend your pinky and thumb; an adult angel gets at least that large). They'll also eat any other fish they can get in their mouths, which means any swordtail fry will become lunch. With the exception of breeding pairs, they're best kept in odd numbers to reduce agression; if you do decide to put an angel in your tank, keeping just one would be best IMHO.

I think the three swords, a few corys and a few otos would more than fill your 20g - swords can get more than 4" long and can be a bit agressive. Otos are a great choice for a planted tank; they scrub plant leaves clean and keep the tank looking new