What's in your 20 gallon tank?

Hey all,

I'm cycling a 20 gallon long tank and looking into fish types. Also I'm a beginner.

Just curious if any of you have 20 gallon tanks and what you stock in them?

Or what you would suggest go in one?

 

I have a 20 gallon long that currently has 3 buenos aires tetras, 4 yo yo loaches, & 5 cory cats. There are so many possibilities with a 20 gallon tank. Is your tank long or high?

 

if u look below that's what I hav in my 20 gallon I like 2 buy my fish small and let them grow in2 a 20 gallon I plan on gettin a swordtail maybe 1 more platy or an angelfish but careful not 2 overstock ur tank as I'm probably doin if u do b sure 2 do more frequent water changes I also hav plants and driftwood in my 20 gallon with a supply of oxygen through a tetra-TEC air pump hope this helps u

C W

 

I would suggest u could get maybe 2 guppies a swordtail (or a 2:1 ratio 1 male to 2 female swordtails so the 1 female is not hassled by the male) a platy (ratio apllies 2 platys also if u want 2 get a male and 2 females) I need 2 get another female platy as of the minute I hav a male and female so I expect babies could b on the horizon lol

cory cats r good fish but buy 3 at least as they r happier in groups I had cories in my last tank set up but they didnt seem 2 last they may do better with oxygen supplied constantly 2 the tank as I did not hav an air pump in my last 20gallon.

U could buy 1 gourami but do not get a golden gourami as my experience with this fish is that they r very territorial and aggressive towards other fish, the small pearl gourami I hav in my tank is a gr8 wee fish

I wouldnt suggest that u get a red tail shark as I hav been lucky that the 1 I hav is not aggressive towards the other fish since my platys r nearly full size and its smaller than most of the fish it seems 2 b scared but it doesn't stop him swimmin about with the other fish

Bristlenose suckerfish or (ancistrus suckerfish as its called) is a gr8 adition 2 a 20 gallon and keeps ur tank clean from algae I also feed my 1 a small algae wafer every so often check on the hompage of fishlore and look at fish profiles 2 c more possible fish u could put in but make sure they r all compatible and do not need a bigger tank

also think about puttin 1 or 2 live plants in2 ur tank I currently hav 3 in mine and I'm sure it will b 4 soon, if u hav the correct lighting that is HAV FUN STOCKING UR TANK

C W

 

My tank is long. I have a few fake plants and 2 caves.

I remember seeing the buenos aires tetras in the store gunnie. There were so many tetras. I also really like the sparkling tetra and the congo gouramis, but I can't remember if the store had those. I'll be sure to stay away from the golden if it's aggresive.

I take it that live plants help the oxygen supply in the tank. Where do you get those from?

I don't recall seeing them in the store. I have fluorescent lighting. What type lighting is required for plants?

My son wants a shark, but the smallest I've found grows to 4 or 5 inches. I'm afraid it would eat the smaller fish like you say Craig. I wish there was a shark that only grows to 2 inches.

I like a lot of the schooling fish because they are small, but I don't want to get 6 of any 1 kind . I only want 2 or 3 of the same so I can get more variety.

 

I hav fluorescent lighting and my plants r doin gr8 ur local fish shop or pet store should hav sum somehwere is the store yes they help with oxygen and also use up ammonia and other chemicals that r dangerous 2 ur fish the shark could constantly annoy ur fish like I said I was lucky with the 1 I got

C W

 

In the 20G long I have six long finned bristlenose juveniles, in another 20G I have half black pastel guppies and fry and the last 20 G has a female marble angel who had her eye damaged and doesn't swim right so she has the tank to herself.
My 20 G are usually used as breeder tanks.
Carol

 

I like dalmation molly's. Anyone have any experience with those? I've read they can have problems easily. Maybe not so good for a beginner.

How about the Congo tetras? Anyone ever keep those?

Also what rule is best used for stocking the tank. The inch/gallon or the surface area rule.
I calculated both and I get 20" of fish for the inch/gallon and 30" of fish for the surface area.
I suppose I would be safe if I stayed under 30" of their full grown size.

So many questions...

 

inch/gallon is the best I think as 4 the congo tetras my best m8 has 1 but from what I no I think they can get quite big I know his 1 is massive lol just about eats whole algae wafers lovely fish though but possibly maybe 2 big 4 a 20 gallon his tank is about 30 gallon or more u c maybe if u got a small 1 and let it grow in2 the tank but I'm not 100% sure il let the experts tell u what's best but that's what iv experienced with watchin a congo when I'm at his house

C W

 

I've read they get as big as 3 inches. Unless their are different types that get bigger. The ones I looked up online had really pretty fins - they looked soft and flowing. Pretty fish.

 

u may b right there crabby! I would say go 4 it then ! yes their fins r v nice

C W

 

I just got a 20 long, and I think it will have 4 Otos, 6 Cardinal Tetras, and 4 female Bettas. That's about 30 inches--I use the surface area rule.
If you want only 2 or 3 of a kind of fish, then definitely stay away from any shoaling fish--that includes Congos, which by the way might get too big for a 20 gallon anyway. :-\ Some fish that you can keep 3 of are Guppies, Platys, female Swordtails, Mollies, female Bettas, Otos, Cories, and maybe some loaches, I don't know as much about those. But just so you know, 3 female Mollies would take up almost as much room as a shoal of small tetras. The shoaling (schooling) fish can make a wonderful display with their behavior. Oh, and I would stay away from sharks.
Your lighting is fine for low-light plants like java fern, java moss, Crypt spp., Anubias spp., and a few others.
Have fun with your tank!

 

I wasn't sure if the Congo was a schooling fish, but since it is a tetra...I'm sure 6 would be too many for a 20 gallon. There are plenty of other pretty tetras and lots that grow to only 1 to 1.5 inches.

I liked the Dalmation Molly's, but am considerting getting the Dalmation danios instead. I think 6 of those would look neat in my tank. They only grow to 1.5 nches. I definitely want some cherry barbs or platys. I like bright colors.

It will be so much fun to actually have fish in the tank after waiting for it to cycle.

 

About the shoaling/schooling fish...

Do you always have to get 6 or more of those? I've read conflicting information - some sites say 2 or more and others say at least 6.

 

6 is usually recommended so you can see the actual schooling behavior of some species, and to reduce aggression in species like tiger barbs. There are always exceptions. I had 3 cory cats in a 10 gallon and they did just fine, though they are happier now with 2 more corys and 10 gallons more to swim around in!

 

Ok, makes sense.

If I get a school of fish is it supposed to be males and females or could I just get all males. I really don't want any experience with fishy-babies yet because I would have no place to put them and don't want to have any bad experiences for the kids (such as them being eaten by their parents!!!)

 

I love my 20 gallon but I would love 2 upgarde 2 a bigger tank 1 day

C W

 

Ok, makes sense.

If I get a school of fish is it supposed to be males and females or could I just get all males. I really don't want any experience with fishy-babies yet because I would have no place to put them and don't want to have any bad experiences for the kids (such as them being eaten by their parents!!!)

Most of your common fish (not including cichlids) usually just spread their eggs around and aren't attentive. They usually get eaten by the other fish. I wouldn't worry about any babies unless you get livebearers. I've had cory cats spawn a few times, but never saw a baby, and all the eggs disappeared within a couple of days. You will probably have good population control as long as you stay away from the livebearers.

 

I liked the Dalmation Molly's, but am considerting getting the Dalmation danios instead. I think 6 of those would look neat in my tank. They only grow to 1.5 nches. I definitely want some cherry barbs or platys. I like bright colors.

What are Dalmation Danios? Are those the same as Leopard Danios?
You know that Cherry Barbs are shoaling fish, right? Platys are awesome. Just make sure you get all females if you don't want fry--or all males, I'm not sure if they will fight like Swords or not...

The majority of shoaling fish won't breed unless you give them certain conditions...so that's nothing to worry about. A lot of shoalers can't be sexed easily, anyway. And if you can it would be to your advantage to try to get males and females--you will see the best of them with the opposite sex for them to impress!

 

Oh yes, they are actually Leopard Danios. I called them that because my kids wanted Dalmation Molly's and I told them I found a replacement - Dalmation Danios. But there is really no such fish, lol. Sorry, my error.

 

Ok, here are the plans at this point. This is only a preliminary idea of what I might put in my tank.

2 Dwarf (max 2") or 2 Sparkling Gouramis (max 1.5")
3 Cherry Barbs (max 2") 2 females, 1 male
2 Balloon Mollies (max 3") 2 males
6 Neon or Gold Neon Tetras (max 1.5")
1 Banded Loach or 1 yoyo Loach (max 3 or 3 1/2")

So far it looks like they can all be kept together and are compatable. I used the Dr Foster and Smith website for research, along with a couple other fish profiling sites. I think the temp could be kept at 78 degrees and the Ph at 7 and the dh at about 10, all would be fine.

What do you experienced people think?

I know the cherry barbs are supposed to be schooling fish but I didn't find it recommended that 6 should be kept like some other species. I could be wrong, but that's what I've found so far.

 

Curious what everyone else has in theirs! Feel free to share pictures if you want!

I've got:

One female betta (Sasuki)
Three guppies
Two platys
One mosquitofish
Six cherry barbs
Ghost and amano shrimp

And one currently empty 20 gallon that I'm working on.

 

I've got a 20 gallon grow out tank for baby platies and a 20 gallon quarantine for 1-3" goldfish before they go in the pond.

 

I've got a 20 gallon grow out tank for baby platies and a 20 gallon quarantine for 1-3" goldfish before they go in the pond.

Cool! Any specific color of platy or a bunch of colors?

 

Cool! Any specific color of platy or a bunch of colors?

Mostly sunset wags, a couple of rainbow wags. Soon some white MM and tuxedos hopefully

 

Mostly sunset wags, a couple of rainbow wags. Soon some white MM and tuxedos hopefully

Ooh! Can I see pictures when you get a chance? I love sunset platys.

 

I've got a 20 gal long with 15x ember tetras, 8x kuhlI loaches, 1x laetacara dorsigera, 3x amano shrimp, and 1x nerite snail. If I had to do it over again, I think I'd go with cories over the kuhlis - I've never kept kuhlis before so I wanted to get some experience with them, but IMO cories make for more activity on the bottom of the tank.

 

My 20 gallon is too ugly to show pictures of! Lol. Here's some pictures of them once they have been moved into the main tank




With their mum

 

I have seven 20 gallons running at the moment. A few of them are filled with plants (moderately planted), and house a bunch of different platy color strains and high-fin types. Oh, and I have a 20 gallon with two young guppies in it — they sure enjoy the open space!

 

Oh, I forgot that one of my 20 longs has a group of sparkling gouramis. I might add a few more to the group soon, because they're beautiful fish.

 

My aquarium is actually 23 gallon. Does that count? XP
Currently it holds..
11 ember tetras
3 flame tetras (they were mixed in with the embers)
1 molly
1 platy
1 apistogramma macmasteri
3 sterbaI cory
2 dwarf gouramis (a male and female)
1 betta coccina (long story..)









(I know I have stocking issues.. small ones I think- I HOPE I'm not overstocked)

 

My 20 gallon is too ugly to show pictures of! Lol. Here's some pictures of them once they have been moved into the main tank
View attachment 327846
View attachment 327847
With their mum
View attachment 327848

They're so pretty!

I've got a 20 gal long with 15x ember tetras, 8x kuhlI loaches, 1x laetacara dorsigera, 3x amano shrimp, and 1x nerite snail. If I had to do it over again, I think I'd go with cories over the kuhlis - I've never kept kuhlis before so I wanted to get some experience with them, but IMO cories make for more activity on the bottom of the tank.

That sounds like an awesome tank! Must have a lot of activity!

I have seven 20 gallons running at the moment. A few of them are filled with plants (moderately planted), and house a bunch of different platy color strains and high-fin types. Oh, and I have a 20 gallon with two young guppies in it — they sure enjoy the open space!

Nice!

My aquarium is actually 23 gallon. Does that count? XP
Currently it holds..
11 ember tetras
3 flame tetras (they were mixed in with the embers)
1 molly
1 platy
1 apistogramma macmasteri
3 sterbaI cory
2 dwarf gouramis (a male and female)
1 betta coccina (long story..)

View attachment 327855 View attachment 327856 View attachment 327857 View attachment 327858 View attachment 327859 View attachment 327860

(I know I have stocking issues.. small ones I think- I HOPE I'm not overstocked)

It counts! Your male gourami is gorgeous!

 

It counts! Your male gourami is gorgeous!

Thank you!
He is really nice/peacefull too. Considering what I hear about DG being little monsters. He just bothers the female and even then its rare..

 

Bumping!

 

Mine is a tall instead of the usual long

8 flame tetras
8 micro rasboras
Planning on picking up a GBR

 

Mine is a tall instead of the usual long

8 flame tetras
8 micro rasboras
Planning on picking up a GBR

Cool! That sounds like a gorgeous mix!
Mine is a 20 high, too.

 

I have 8 zebra danios, a pregnant platy , and a baby female betta

 

Here's mine.

Future sorority tank. I just need sand, a filter, a glass top, a heater, a stand, plants, drift wood, and fish.

Finances dictate 1-2 purchases a month. I hope it's set up by Christmas.

 

Here's mine.

Future sorority tank. I just need sand, a filter, a glass top, a heater, a stand, plants, drift wood, and fish.

Finances dictate 1-2 purchases a month. I hope it's set up by Christmas.

View attachment 328027

I understand. I'm finally able to order a few plants and some shrimp for my new tank because I vacuumed, mopped, and cleaned the inside of my mom's car.

I'm sure yours will be awesome when it's set up! If it helps, try going for pool filter sand or play sand (obsessively wash play sand before you put it in the tank!) They're a lot cheaper than aquarium sand. Got my play sand for $4 for a 50 pound bag. And Amazon has really good deals on filters sometimes! A cheap but reliable one is the Aqueon Quietflow.

 

My aquarium is actually 23 gallon. Does that count? XP
Currently it holds..
11 ember tetras
3 flame tetras (they were mixed in with the embers)
1 molly
1 platy
1 apistogramma macmasteri
3 sterbaI cory
2 dwarf gouramis (a male and female)
1 betta coccina (long story..)

View attachment 327855 View attachment 327856 View attachment 327857 View attachment 327858 View attachment 327859 View attachment 327860

(I know I have stocking issues.. small ones I think- I HOPE I'm not overstocked)

Where did you find a female dwarf gourami?