Stocking a LONG 20 gallon aquarium?

J

jcannonb

AC Members
Aug 14, 2010
21
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0
Fort Lauderdale, FL
My office finally approved me to put together a small tank for the office. I got a 36" long 20 gallon aquarium. Really interesting shape.

I like cichlids, and I would like to stock it with cichlids, but since the tank is only 11" tall and 11" deep, I am looking for ideas to make an active 20 gallon tank!

Look forward to hearing suggestions.

Cheers,

Joshua
 
Rams, apistos, keyhole, MAYBE jewel chiclids, and shell dwellers are all good options. I would check with someone more experienced for compatiblity for everything but jewels, which i know can be species only.
 
user_name said:
Rams, apistos, keyhole, MAYBE jewel chiclids, and shell dwellers are all good options. I would check with someone more experienced for compatiblity for everything but jewels, which i know can be species only.
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I'm not sure but I'd probably recommend Keyholes more for a 29-30G tanks. They aren't as aggresive as other cichlids, but they are pretty big. Shell Dwellers would be another good options since you can do a colony of shelldwellers which would look awesome in a 20 long. Just keep in mind, those are probably the only fish you could keep.

With Rams and Apistos, you'll be more flexible with the stocking if you wanted to add some Tetras or some schooling Cyprinids into the mix.
 
I would personally plant it with lowlight plants,get a few apistos(cockatoos would be my choice),some cardinal tetra,and some dwarf corydora. You might be able to get away with some dwarf shrimp,but the cichlids may eat them.
 
I personally would do a colony of shell dwellers if it were my own tank as I love watching the little guys. However, seeing as it is an office tank aspistos or rams would probably be more aesthetically appealing to a group of people whom are not fish keepers.
 
Thanks for all the ideas so far guys. I am liking the ideas of the rams. How many rams in this tank, and what else could I put with it? I am OK with only having fewer fish, if it means more activity or interesting fish.
 
jcannonb said:
So, in a long 20, only two rams and no other live stock, or just two rams and other live stock>
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If you went with 2 rams, you'd still have room for a few other small fish. I'd go with 2 rams, 5-6 small schooling fish (like danios, serpae tetras, etc.), and 5 cories (one of the smaller species, like pandas, or salt & pepper cories).
 
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