kquaz

I have a 20 g. tall with 1 three-spot blue gourami (very peaceful female), 8 glass fish, and OODLES of unwanted nerite snails (I think that's what they are). Water perameters are higher pH over 7.8 (due to municipal water source) and kept at 80 degrees. 0 ammonia and nitrites and nitrates of 20 or less.

I recently lost our bristlenose plecco and now am considering adding another fish (or shoal of smaller fish). The gourami is at the top most of the time and the glass fish all huddle in the back corner. I need something more front and center - something interesting and fun to see, but won't cause aggression or fin nipping issues for the gourami.

In terms of snails, I'm also interested in snail control. I passed on adding a snail loving loach or two because they wouldn't have done well with the plecco. Now that's not an issue.

Any suggestions for snail control? What would add something a bit more lively and showy given other inhabitants?

Thanks so much!!!!

Shawnie

welcome to fishlore kquaz!! although the snails are awesome, and keep the tank very well clean, they can overstock in no time...maybe snail control with some lettuce, and removing them periodically, will help..and sell them to your LFS or on aquabid? alot of fish eat them, but in a 20 gal tall, not many will be the bottom dwelling snail eaters for that size..maybe some other members have some suggestions, but the space is limited in a tall tank and pretty much your 3 spot is going to outgrown and not tolerate much more in that size tank...its evident already if your glass fish are hiding...hes not playing nice in the playground....

ph isnt as important as long as its stable...most fish will acclimate to all different kinds of ph's as long as its done slowly...there are those type of fish that do require a certain ph to thrive in , eg africans, loaches, goldies etc, but for the most part it shouldnt be an issue...hope some other members have some more bottom dwelling help for you and your snails!

Butters

I agree with Shawnie about your gourami, maybe you could try a Dwarf gourami instead. You could try a trio of male guppies for color and action, or some platies, or swordtails.... basically live bearers is what I'm saying.
As far as snail control, I just squish them with my finger or use the lettuce technique when they get to be to many.
For the bottom, you could get a small school of cories, say around 4. They are very active and some have some nice color and patterns on them.

kquaz

Remember Darla on Where's Nemo? Well...we have a Darla in our household - my son. So, the antagonist that the glass fish are hiding from isn't my three-spot...it's my almost two-year old son who doesn't like to be told not to yell and pound on the side of the tank. Poor fish...I'm working on my son's tank etiqite.

In terms of our three-spot...I researched to make sure that my 20 tall was big enough for the 3-spot before getting her. Fishlore states 20 gallon minimum tank while other sites mention 30 gallon minimum. The fact that she is the peacful one - and continues to be - was the deciding factor to welcome her. Now that the pleco is gone, she's got reign of the tank and three "caves" she occupies from time to time. I find her oftentimes just hanging out while the glass fish swim all around her. So peace prevails...atleast for now.

Thanks for the snail control suggestions - I'll calm down about having them, as I always remove 10 or so with every water change. Afterall, I'm OK with anything that will help clean the tank.

As for the stocking question...I think Butters is suggesting that I get rid of the three-spot and then think about their suggestion? Or are you thinking that I could add the three male guppies even with the three-spot?

Butters

If you want to keep the three spot gourami, which it sounds like you do and you can (I would keep an eye on her though.) Than you could probably get a small school of cories, maybe around 4. They are really peaceful and really active.