I want 1 fish for a 20 gallon tank.

[Cali]

I just bought a 20 gallon tank and I would like to put one fish in it. I already have Betta's in 1 gallon fish bowls. I'm going to leave them in their 1 gallons. I would like another fish--a medium to large sized one in my 20 gallon. I thought about a nice gold fish, but I'm not sure. I'd prefer a fish with nice coloring (bright unique coloring).

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

thanks,

 

[BettaBoyz]

how about a nice, bright, aggressive male Cichlid?

tons of those, and most can live in a 20 gallon methinks =)

 

[White Whale]

Are you considering freshwater or saltwater?

 

[Cali]

Fresh or salt? I have no idea. I'm pretty new to this whole fish thing. I became addicted to Bettas (I have 4) and I decided I would like to have a nice size aquarium in my home. I don't really care for having a whole bunch of little fish, so I got a 20 gallon in hopes I could stock it with one nice big guy (or gal).


Fresh or salt isn't a major issue, I suppose. Is one particularly more difficult to maintain than the other?


I will do a search on Cichlids and see what they look like. Thanks!

 

[KnuckleHead]

If your looking for truly stunning coloration get a Bosmani rainbow or any other of the rainbow varieties. Use a black substrate with a dark blue background to make the colors really comeout. Add 2 gold mystery snails for an extra splash of color and waste removal.

 

[Cali]

If your looking for truly stunning coloration get a Bosmani rainbow or any other of the rainbow varieties.

Cool! I'll check those out. Do I have to have the snails, though? I dislike snails.




p.s. How in the world do you pronounce Cichlid? Is it pronounced like "kitch-lid" or (as I always want to say) "Chick-lid".


Yeah, I think color and size are my main things. Some of those Cichlids I saw online looked...scary. Sorry.

 

[KnuckleHead]

Nah snails arent needed at all but they do a good job of cleaning the tank of uneaten food and algae. Maybe a school of pygmy cories would suit you more. Theyre not the most colorful but are great to have in any freshwater community setup. Their antics will keep you smiling everytime you sit back and watch. Theyll eat any leftover food on the bottom but should also be supplemented with a variety of sinking food. Oh and one last thing. Cichlid is pronounced (sick-lid).

 

[Cali]

Oh and one last thing. Cichlid is pronounced (sick-lid).

aaahh, you're my hero! Now I will not sound like a moron.

 

[smb]

Yeah, I think color and size are my main things. Some of those Cichlids I saw online looked...scary. Sorry.

Bite your tongue!

Just j/k

Cichlids are beautiful---

 

[Cali]

Bite your tongue!

I'm sorry!!!! Something told me to keep that to myself, but I decided to share. I'm sure Cichlids are great fish.


I'm reminded of when I went to Petco a month ago....

The sales guy said they don't sell female Betta's because they're "real ugly!" My jaw dropped and I proceded to tell him that I have the most beautiful Betta I've ever seen and she's FEMALE! She's a gorgeous pink and I love her dearly.

I could have hurt that man.


I said all that to say...I know nothing about Cichlids so don't mind me.

 

[smb]

Bite your tongue! 

 

I'm sorry!!!! Something told me to keep that to myself, but I decided to share. I'm sure Cicklids are great fish.


I'm reminded of when I went to Petco a month ago....

The sales guy said they don't sell female Betta's because they're "real ugly!" My jaw dropped and I proceded to tell him that I have the most beautiful Betta I've ever seen and she's FEMALE! She's a gorgeous pink and I love her dearly.

I could have hurt that man.


I said all that to say...I know nothing about Cichlids so don't mind me.

LOL, that's ok. I was just j/k with you. Being a huge cichlid fan I had to mess with ya. All fish are beautiful to some and none are beautiful to all. That's what makes the hobby so great.

 

[Cali]

By the way, SMB...that's a cool looking Cichlid. What kind is he? Online I noticed there are MANY different kinds.


Also, Cichlids are okay in 20 gallons?

 

[smb]

By the way, SMB...that's a cool looking Cichlid. What kind is he? Online I noticed there are MANY different kinds.


Also, Cichlids are okay in 20 gallons?

That's a female festae.

 

[smb]

Also, Cichlids are okay in 20 gallons?

Sorry, didn't see this before.

Most cichlids aren't ok in a 20g. There are some like kribs, rams and Shelldwellers that are ok in a 20g tho. A female festae alone needs at least a 55g and preferably a 75g tho. Most cichlids need at least a 75g and some even more if I was to generalize.

 

[Cali]

A female festae alone needs at least a 55g and preferably a 75g tho. Most cichlids need at least a 75g and some even more if I was to generalize.

Whoa! Do you know much about Angel Fish? They were pretty nice looking.

...or are they REALLY expensive. I should have mentioned--money IS a factor!