I Don't Want A Goldfish

[Fighterfish]

Hey,
I have a 20 gallon tnak free, though don't want any goldfish as there aren't any nice healthy looking ones around here. Any how, is there any other fish that can go in coldwater available. I have heard about WCMM and paradise fish. SOme people also say some species of barbs and guppies can withstand cold temperatures. I would like a second opinion from people and also any other suggestions.
thanks,
ps. can amano shrimps go in cold water.

 

[peediepixie]

Hey,
I have a 20 gallon tnak free, though don't want any goldfish as there aren't any nice healthy looking ones around here. Any how, is there any other fish that can go in coldwater available. I have heard about WCMM and paradise fish. SOme people also say some species of barbs and guppies can withstand cold temperatures. I would like a second opinion from people and also any other suggestions.
thanks,
ps. can amano shrimps go in cold water.

Hi there. Personally I wouldn't keep guppies or barbs in coldwater, they are tropical fish. I'm not sure about amano shrimps but I'm fairly confident they are also tropical. The fish may survive the cold water but it wouldn't be good for them and could affect their health and reduce their life span.
WCMM are lovely looking fish, if you planted the tank and had a good sized shoal it'd look great!!!
Do you like fancy goldfish at all? I keep them and they are gorgeous.

 

[The-Wolf]

Bored with goldfish?

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

There are many sub-tropical fish out there that can fit in a 20gal, sub-tropical meaning fish that prefer to live in temps between 19 and 23degree's. Many danio's and cories are actually sub-tropical fish for example, keeping the fish in the wrong temp though will often kill it slowly (since the temp of the water effects the fish's metabolism greatly), so i would not advise guppies as they do best in cool to warm tropical temps (anything from 23 to 27-8 degree's suits them very well) .
Most coldwater non-goldfish fish i can think of will grow too big for a 20gal though, whats in Wolfs link is really all thats commonly available at best.

 

[GuppiesRGr8]

GET KOI

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

GET KOI

Um, a fish that can potentially get to 3ft long is not going to be happy in a 20gal.

 

[dwarfgourami]

There is coldwater and coldwater. The-Wolf's link is about pond fish, i.e. fish that will withstand temperatures down towards freezing. But if you have a 20 gallon tank, presumably kept indoors, we are not looking at temperatures much below 18C (unless your family is very hardy indeed). There are several options here: WMCs have been mentioned, and hillstream loaches. But basically, anything that comes from subtropical climates, including fish from cool mountain streams in tropical countries. If you can find any small goodeids, they would be fine. Or other livebearers- I believe heterandria formosa are happy with cooler temperatures.

What I would do with this tank would be to set up a small colony of whitecheeked gobies (rhinobius wui).

 

[Fighterfish]

There is coldwater and coldwater. The-Wolf's link is about pond fish, i.e. fish that will withstand temperatures down towards freezing. But if you have a 20 gallon tank, presumably kept indoors, we are not looking at temperatures much below 18C (unless your family is very hardy indeed). There are several options here: WMCs have been mentioned, and hillstream loaches. But basically, anything that comes from subtropical climates, including fish from cool mountain streams in tropical countries. If you can find any small goodeids, they would be fine. Or other livebearers- I believe heterandria formosa are happy with cooler temperatures.

What I would do with this tank would be to set up a small colony of whitecheeked gobies (rhinobius wui).

Gobies sound cool. Are they marine,brackish or freshwater? And do you have any idea of what they might cost. I am interested.
Thhanks

 

[dwarfgourami]

There is coldwater and coldwater. The-Wolf's link is about pond fish, i.e. fish that will withstand temperatures down towards freezing. But if you have a 20 gallon tank, presumably kept indoors, we are not looking at temperatures much below 18C (unless your family is very hardy indeed). There are several options here: WMCs have been mentioned, and hillstream loaches. But basically, anything that comes from subtropical climates, including fish from cool mountain streams in tropical countries. If you can find any small goodeids, they would be fine. Or other livebearers- I believe heterandria formosa are happy with cooler temperatures.

What I would do with this tank would be to set up a small colony of whitecheeked gobies (rhinobius wui).

Gobies sound cool. Are they marine,brackish or freshwater? And do you have any idea of what they might cost. I am interested.
Thhanks

rhinogobius are freshwater; not sure how much they would cost, did see one the other week, but never looked at the price