Best fish to breed In a 20g long?

Hi everyone! I’ve been thinking about what to do with my 20 gallon. I’m debating between a beginner saltwater tank or breeding some sort of fish. So far I’m pretty sure I’m going to do a saltwater tank but I’d like to get some ideas for fish to breed in a 20 gallon long.

My water is pretty hard and has a pH of 8-8.2 . I’d prefer not to have to feed live foods but I certainly can if I need to. I’ll be able to do waterchanges every other day if needed (although twice weekly or less would be preferred). I’d like to be able to make some profit off of the fish but it’s more for fun than anything else.

So far I’m looking at a pair of bn plecos, some Moscow guppys, a pair of kribs, or tiger endlers. But, I’d like to see some more options. What do you guys think I should breed?

 

Cichlids! Great colour and personality, very close to saltwater too!

 

Cichlids! Great colour and personality, very close to saltwater too!

What type would you recommend? Also, how many?

 

If you're looking for profit, breed plants.

But maybe add some plecos or guppies to help fertilize them. The fish can also be sold.

 

What type would you recommend? Also, how many?

Honestly my knowledge is very limited, so I cannot give you a sure answer but I do have a friend breeding Yellow Labs in a 20L. He’s doing 1M & 3F I believe

 

Kribs! I’m obviously biased, as you can see by my name, but you should do them. Super fun personalities, gorgeous color, easy to breed, and amazing parenting behavior. If not kribs, yellow labs would be awesome too.

 

Alright, sounds like yellow labs or kribs are the best choices! How fast do yellow labs and kribs start breeding? I’ve attempted to breed kribs before but unfortunately messed up so it’d be interesting to try again. I also adore yellow labs so both would be great!

 

The kribs tend to breed after a few months of being in the tank (if they’re old enough). I don’t have any breeding experience with yellow labs, but they shouldn’t be too hard.

 

What about convict cichlids? I know that they are known to breed like crazy and I feel like they’d be a good fish to breed. Although I probably won’t get much profit it’d still be super fun to watch and I’m more interested in raising the fry for fun vs. for profit.

EDIT: Would I be able to find anyone to take them? Would apistos be a better choice? Here’s my list so far:

Kribs,
Apistogrammas,
Yellow labs,
Convicts,
And guppy’s.

 

What about convict cichlids? I know that they are known to breed like crazy and I feel like they’d be a good fish to breed. Although I probably won’t get much profit it’d still be super fun to watch and I’m more interested in raising the fry for fun vs. for profit.

It's less about the lack of profit and more about the "what on earth do I do with all these? ". They're hard to even give away

 

It's less about the lack of profit and more about the "what on earth do I do with all these? ". They're hard to even give away

Alright, I’ll cross them off the list then. What do you think of breeding yellow labs, apistos, or kribs?

 

Apistos imo, I think they tend to be easier to find homes for.

 

Alright, I’ll cross them off the list then. What do you think of breeding yellow labs, apistos, or kribs?

I agree with faydout , the apistogramma would be the easiest to sell out of that list.

 

I agree with faydout , the apistogramma would be the easiest to sell out of that list.

Would they breed in hard water?

 

Would they breed in hard water?

Some people will say no. Plenty of youtube videos say yes. Those people say they aren't as picky as they're made out to be. I've never bred them myself though, so all my knowledge is based solely on research not experience.

 

Some people will say no. Plenty of youtube videos say yes. Those people say they aren't as picky as they're made out to be. I've never bred them myself though, so all my knowledge is based solely on research not experience.

Because my main goal is just to enjoy watching them breed and raise the fry I might not do apistos. I’m leaning towards a pair of kribs or a group of guppy’s or endlers. What if I were to get a Trio of tiger endlers, some cherry shrimp, and then a bunch of plants?

 

Maybe bolivians?

 

Maybe bolivians?

I thought they needed really soft water to breed? I would love to breed them but I’ve heard very few success story’s envolving breeding them in hard water.

 

I thought they needed really soft water to breed? I would love to breed them but I’ve heard very few success story’s envolving breeding them in hard water.

Yeah it would be a bit iffy in hardwater. Maybe live bearers?

 

Yeah it would be a bit iffy in hardwater. Maybe live bearers?

That’s what I was thinking. Right now I’m still leaning towards a saltwater tank or breeding endlers. If I can find a good saltwater set up then I’ll probably go for that but if not I’ll look into some endler strains. Thanks!

 

Because my main goal is just to enjoy watching them breed and raise the fry I might not do apistos. I’m leaning towards a pair of kribs or a group of guppy’s or endlers. What if I were to get a Trio of tiger endlers, some cherry shrimp, and then a bunch of plants?

Guppies are one of my favorite fish even after years in the hobby. They're looked down on as a "beginner fish" by a lot of people. But you can't beat the colors, they're not shy, they eat anything, the breed easily, the babies are incredibly easy to get rid of, they're hardy once established. In short, they're popular for a reason. They're great fish.

 

What about shell dwellers? They stay small and breed readily. Just make sure the food gets into the shells for the babies.

 

What about shell dwellers? They stay small and breed readily. Just make sure the food gets into the shells for the babies.

They’d be fun! The only issue is I’m not sure where to get them. My LFS sells them but they are pretty overpriced. Do you have any recommendations?

 

I found someone selling 14 neolamprologus daffodil cichlids for $100. Does that seem like a good price? Could that many fit in a 20 long?

 

I found someone selling 14 neolamprologus daffodil cichlids for $100. Does that seem like a good price? Could that many fit in a 20 long?

They get about 3" so I probably wouldn't do all 14 but it does seem like a decent price.

 

They get about 3" so I probably wouldn't do all 14 but it does seem like a decent price.

Would 3 of them do ok in either a community tank (all peaceful fish except an angelfish, it’s a 40g) or my 10 gallon endler tank? it’d be way more expensive to get them individually vs. as a whole group.

 

Would they breed in hard water?

My tap water comes out at 8.1 and my pair of cacutuoides super reds either have fry, or are making more fry. From the day I put them in the tank. I'm thinking the 10G I'm raising some of her fry in now is going to get repurposed as a new home for the female once I get these little ones raised up enough to find a new home for (if you're in the Denver area and want a free pair of Apistos lemme know. They're not quite 6 weeks old right now, so they have a bit before I'm ready to let them go).

 

My tap water comes out at 8.1 and my pair of cacutuoides super reds either have fry, or are making more fry. From the day I put them in the tank. I'm thinking the 10G I'm raising some of her fry in now is going to get repurposed as a new home for the female once I get these little ones raised up enough to find a new home for (if you're in the Denver area and want a free pair of Apistos lemme know. They're not quite 6 weeks old right now, so they have a bit before I'm ready to let them go).

That’s good to know that they’re breeding in your water!! Unfortunately I’m not in Denver . Would you ship?