Sylorna

Hello!
I'm new to the site, and need some guidance.
I just got my first real sized tank, which is 20 gallons. It's all set up, and has been cycling for a few days now. While I'm anxiously waiting for the cycle to end, I've been researching what kind of fish I want to put in there.
In the past I've had goldfish (like most people), danios, Betta's, and guppies in small bows, but not all at once of course. Most recently I was caring for a couple of guppies in a 2.5gallon tank which ended up breaking with the temperature fluctuations this summer and I lost the fish. My point is that I have a 20 gallon tank, and some albeit limited knowledge about fish care.
The tank has a heater, side filter, light and a couple inches of coarse gravel at the moment.
Anyway, I'm looking for suggestions as to what fish to put in my tank. I've had livebearers suggested a number of times at petstores, but I'm leery because I don't want to be dealing with baby fish. I had one lady suggest chiclids, but after reading about them, I think they're too big for my tank.
I like fish that have some colour and move quite a bit. I recently found some beautiful dwarf gouramis and was thinking about getting 1 or 2. Would 2 be too many for that size of tank? They only have the males around here, and I don't want to end up in a quarrel. I also really like the tiger barbs, but am cautious about having 6 if they grow to three inches.
Anyway, I thought maybe you might find it fun to make some suggestions for an empty 20 gallon tank.
Thanks
Jess

lilsoccakid

my 20 gal is also my first real tank, and has had fish for almost 3 weeks. I found that a school of neon tetras, a few oto cats, and a dwarf gourami go together nicely! if u go to the tank photos section, pictures of my tank are one of the first topics. go take a look and see how u like it!

Stradius011

maybe a small school of rainbow fish?

Sylorna

I like your tank, but am not a big fan of neons, perhaps I'm too closed minded about them, I don't know. Any other companion suggestions?

What is a rainbow fish? I did a search and it came up with a whole lot of rainbow sharks, but I'm sure that's not what you meant.

manda2753

Well, when I started my first tank I thought I would really like dwarf gouramis...So I got two along with everyone else, and really they kind of bore me. Pretty, yes, but far from my favorite. I've got mine with guppies, mollies, corys, otos, and angels. So far he hasn't bothered any of them.
My favorites are the corys, and the mollies are a lot of fun to watch too.
As far as rainbowfish go, try doing a search for "boesmani rainbow", that's one common type. They're usually not as colorful from the fish stores as they are in most photos online though, from what I've seen.

lilsoccakid

my dwarf gourami is very playful, greets me when i come in the room, and eats right out of my hand!

Butterfly

Rainbow fish http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/s...cfm?pCatId=886
take a walk in the lfs(local fish store) and make a list of the fish that intrest you. Then research, research, research! this will help fill the time until the tank is cycled and can be almost as enjoyable as actually shopping.
After you have narrowed down what you like make sure they share a common temperature, schooling or grouping requirement. not overcrowding and making sure the fish are compatible is going a long way toward making sure you have a peaceful tank.
carol

COBettaCouple

african dwarf frogs, corys and otos would be good tank mates for gourami.

Kevin

well, you could do some serpae tetras
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...fm?pCatId=2521
or a type of rasbors would be neat
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/s...cfm?pCatId=887

Sylorna

Thanks for the suggestions guys! I really think I like the cherry barbs, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to find them around here. The dwarf frogs are certainly cool, and I like those serpae tetras. I'm thinking maybe I should start out with just the gourmai, and look around the shop to see if there's anything I like...otherwise, maybe this will be a longer term additions thing, which from what I read is better for them anyway.
I'll be sure to let you know when I finish the tank

Shelby

Just a word of caution The Serape tetra's are notorious fin nippers They will limit your choices for tankmates.