Suggestions for 20 gallon tank

[P_W]

What fish would you suggest for a beginner with a 20 gallon tank? I was thinking a couple neon tetras, maybe an otto, my betta (if he behaves), maybe some rainbows? What would you guys suggest?

 

[fishcatch22]

to go with a betta, neons and a few otos (they need shoals of at least 3) ? well, maybe you could add a ram or a dwarf gourami to the mix, but, only if you think your betta is social enough not to attack them.

 

[Ruben Tolon]

how about a pair of shelldwellers, like L. multifasciatus or occelatus and some dithers?

 

[fish_freak]

I think I would go with a decent school of neon' s and a dwarf gouramii as the center piece instead of the betta. Otto's would do fine in there as well maybe a couple cory cats for the bottom to top it off.

 

[Ruben Tolon]

I've always found otos to be a little delicate, I'm not sure I'd recommend them for a beginner tank.

 

[P_W]

I want to incorporate the betta in this setup. Atleast if he doesn't attack anything. He's sitting in a 2.5g tank but I think he'd be alot happier in the 20. Aren't ram's a more advanced level fish?

 

[fishcatch22]

I want to incorporate the betta in this setup. Atleast if he doesn't attack anything. He's sitting in a 2.5g tank but I think he'd be alot happier in the 20. Aren't ram's a more advanced level fish?

well, maybe. they are more intermediate fish, because they need a well-aged tank of at least 5-6 months, and are very sensitive to water quality. if you think you can swing that, then go for it!

 

[paku]

The Betta will work well with Neon Tetras, get at least 6.
As long as the other fish aren’t in the same family as the Betta like Gouramis
or have long flowing fins like Guppies he should get along with just about anything. What you should be worried about is what might nip at your Betta, so get non aggressive smaller fish. And maybe a small breed of pleco / Cory. I have 2 Black Swordtails with my Betta and they seem to do fine. Every Betta acts differently tho.

 

[dorkfish]

As long as the other fish aren’t in the same family as the Betta like Gouramis or have long flowing fins like Guppies he should get along with just about anything.QUOTE]

I disagree, I have kept many (male) bettas with gouramies, with absolutely no problems. Right now, I'm even keeping (male) bettas with fancy guppies, and even though the bettas did chase the guppies for the first day at the most, I have not seen any other problems.

Thsi isn't to say that EVERY betta will get along with those particular fish, I know for a fact that the betta of another forum member has broken/bitten guppies in half, but not ALL bettas are THAT bad. If the betta were to atack them, P_W has a tank the betta can go in, so it's worth a shot. Just be sure to keep a watchfull eye on the tank.