Fish Stocking Ideas for 20 gallon

[Joeyfin624]

Hello All,
This is what I would like to do. I want to start up a new 20 gallon freshwater aquarium in a bit of a unique way.
I want to put an artificial coral reef insert in the tank so it has the appearance of a reef tank but with freshwater.
I would also like to keep only a couple of freshwater fish so the focal point is primarily on the coral insert and have a couple of fish for movement. The tank is 24" wide, 15" deep and 13"High.
First, do you like the idea or am I completely crazy for wanting this setup?
Second, what type of fish do you suggest if I am only keeping a couple? I'm thinking there may not be enough room for Cichlids unless they are dwarf cichlids. Angel fish are an option but I am so-so on Angels.
Any other suggestions?

 

[JuiceBox52]

This sounds like a really cool idea, I've considered doing something like this as well. Before we can give stocking advice we must have the GH number. This will tell us what fish are suitable for your water. To find this you can look on your water providers website or call them. We need the number and not some vague words. If possible the unit of measurement as well

 

[Retired Viking]

Angelfish would get too big for a 20 gallon. They need to be kept in groups of 5 or more or a mated pair. I had a mated pair in my 55 gallon tank, one grew to be 6 inches the other around 5 inches (just body) The type of water you have is also important to the type of fish. Looking at the water map your area is soft to moderately hard 1-3.5 or 3.5-7 grains per gallon

 

[Joeyfin624]

This sounds like a really cool idea, I've considered doing something like this as well. Before we can give stocking advice we must have the GH number. This will tell us what fish are suitable for your water. To find this you can look on your water providers website or call them. We need the number and not some vague words. If possible the unit of measurement as well

GH is 80-100 mg/L
PH is 7.6

 

[JuiceBox52]

GH is 80-100 mg/L
PH is 7.6

Awesome so any soft water fish will be fine. Stay away from livebearers and rainbowfish and rift lake cichlids.

Were you wanting larger or smaller fish?

 

[PhantomCarp]

@Joeyfin624 I think that a single Female convict could be a nice Cichlid IMO

 

[Joeyfin624]

Awesome so any soft water fish will be fine. Stay away from livebearers and rainbowfish and rift lake cichlids.

Were you wanting larger or smaller fish?

Ideally in the 3-4" range.

 

[Retired Viking]

How many 3-4 inch fish do you plan on having?

 

[Byron]

There are very few fish that attain 3+ inches that can be adequately housed in a 20g tank (assuming a 20g high or basic). Also remember that freshwater fish need a representation of their natural habitat or they can be seriously stressed. This does not necessarily mean natural, as in wood, plants, etc, it can be artificial provided the resulting effect replicates the fish's habitat.

 

[Wills]

What about a female Betta tank? You can get really diverse colours even on the females now and it would create the marine look I think you are after.

Wills

 

[Joeyfin624]

There are very few fish that attain 3+ inches that can be adequately housed in a 20g tank (assuming a 20g high or basic). Also remember that freshwater fish need a representation of their natural habitat or they can be seriously stressed. This does not necessarily mean natural, as in wood, plants, etc, it can be artificial provided the resulting effect replicates the fish's habitat.

Byron, Thank you very much for your reply. Although that does disappoint me, I really appreciate the honesty. This is just an idea I was tossing out there. I had a hunch what you're saying would be the case but being a newbie for the most part I really didn't know for sure if it would work or not.
Sounded good in my head but I certainly don't want to put my fish under undo stress leading to further complications.
Guess I will scrap that thought.

 

[Byron]

Byron, Thank you very much for your reply. Although that does disappoint me, I really appreciate the honesty. This is just an idea I was tossing out there. I had a hunch what you're saying would be the case but being a newbie for the most part I really didn't know for sure if it would work or not.
Sounded good in my head but I certainly don't want to put my fish under undo stress leading to further complications.
Guess I will scrap that thought.

It would be best.