theusual

Hello-

I have a 20 gallon tank that I've been slowly stocking with:

2 endler's livebearer
3 clown loach
3 bronze corydoras catfish

Unfortunately, 6 of my 8 fish are bottom dwelling fish! I'd really like some colorful freshwater fish to add into my tank that will fit well into my community and avoid hassling my other fish. I'd like to stick to peaceful fish, because in the past I've had bad experiences with aggressive fish. I've had neon tetras, a swordtail, and tiger barbs before, and know(/believe) that they would be suitable alternatives... but I'd really love to add fish that are more colorful than the neon tetras and somewhat entertaining. I like fish with personality and flair.

I've somewhat taken a liking to chinese algae eaters, but I've heard that they are aggressive?? Also I read that they dwell on the bottom, which is not good. I also have become very fond of some small Black Ghost Knifefish, but once again - I've decided that I need to limit myself to active, middle-dwelling, colorful fish.

Any recommendations?

Jerry1809

Hello,
Dwarf Gourami's are very intriguing fish. Males are brighter than females. There are a few different kinds of DG's. Check out their profile on this site... http://www.fishlore.com/Profiles-DwarfGourami.htm

Tony G.

Hello
well... first off i dont mean to be the bad guy, but it has to be said. Your clown loaches will outgrow your tank. You need at least a 55 gallon tank for them.
Whooo enough said
A DG is a very, very colorful fish with lots of personality. I have not kept them, but have talked to members about them and they seem to be very good additions to tropical tanks. Another good fish would be Rainbow Fish. I am not an expert, but i believe there is a specimen that will do well in a 20g tank.
As for the CAE( chinese algae eater)
i would not get him. I have one, and yes he is cute, yes he keeps my tank clean, but he is VERY agressive. He posessed half of the tank. Not forgetting that they grow rather large. They have been known to suck the slime coat off the fish. Yes, when young they eat algae, but then they realize the slime coat is better. I like to think of them as the sharks from the Freshwater Aquarium. I bought him as an "albino otto"
he looked like one, untill he grew to 4 inches! so i would stay away from CAE's
There is a few otehr bottom dwelling fish similar to the CAE. There is the FLying Fox, The SAE ( Siamese Algae Eater) and a few others i cant remember their names.
best of luck!

tony

Blub

I'll agree with Tony about the clowns. They will need a bigger tank (I personally say 75gal, and even that is pushing it IMO) very soon as they get t oabout a foot long and are very active! I would return them to the store, and get 3 more corys so you have a good group, as I'm sure you know they love to have lots of friends. Or, you could just return the clowns and save the space for a school of small schooling fish.

You are right to be caution with the CAE - he's a bad choice for small tanks. He gets to a foot long and is aggressive - plus the fact you don't want any more bottom dwellers.

BGK's are also out of the question - they can attain a size of 50cm. Enough said?!

Tony, I think the Rainbow you are talking about is either the Dwarf neon (praecox) rainbow or the threadfin rainbow. Both are beautiful schooling fish and some of my favourite fish. Another family to look at is the tetra group! They're all fantastic little schoolers - pretty much any 5cm and under tetra would be perfect. Also look at hatchetfish, cherry barbs, zebra danios and harlequin rasboras.

Good luck with your decision!

theusual

Thanks for the recommendations! I'm going to wait 2-3 weeks before purchasing any new fish because I'm in the process of moving and want to reestablish my tank before stressing out any new fish. I love some of these recommendations, and I'll definitely keep an eye on the loaches. Unfortunately, the fish store won't take them back, but I think I'll try to keep them in my 20 gallon as long as possible before finding a new tank.

The fish all seem extremely happy

Blub

You will need to get them a new home soon - as otherwise they will become stunted (which is when their exterior stops growing, but the interior keeps growing! It's very stressful and painful for the fish and leads to an early death) and I think it's irreversible.