If you had a 20G Long...(Freshwater only, please)

[White Whale]

I'm interested on the varying tastes of the forum and may follow accordingly. I have very little idea what to stock it with since all I know are bettas. So I have come to the mercy of this forum.

According to the surface area of this 20 gallon(L), the tank will be able to safely stock up to 30" of fish.

I've also researched from various sources that Apollo and Bala sharks do not grow to maximum size when kept in aquaria.

 

[FanOFish]

I said species tank because my next tank will be cichlids.

 

[freshwatergal]

I too said species tank. Not so long ago you expressed intrest in Puffers. Why not go with that? You could easily fit dwarf puffs in that tank, along with some otto's and a few Bumble Bee Gobies.

My vote is for Puffers!

Tiff

 

[thecichlidaddict]

The way I like to stock tanks is to choose on a basic idea of a tank (community, aggressive, etc) and stock it gradually, deciding on species as I go. By adding fish one species at a time and observing the tank you can get a good idea of what the tank needs (according to your own taste and judgement) and what 'holes' can be filled, while learning the behavior of each fish seperately and ultimately achieving a better balance in the tank.

According to the surface area of this 20 gallon(L), the tank will be able to safely stock up to 30" of fish

What you can stock, what you should stock, and what you want to stock are different.

For example I might technically be able to squeeze 50" of fish in a 20 gallon tank, but my filtration and maintenance routine might only allow for 25" of fish, and my personal taste may lean toward heavier decoration and only 20" of fish. Of course all this talk of inches is only for small, slim bodied fish anyway so this whole topic of inches per gallon can go out the window pretty easily.

I guess my point is that there are no reliable rules of thumb, instead excersize patience and take it one step at a time to get a feel for things. Fully stocking your first tank in one go based on rules of thumb is a good way to end up with problems, IMO.

I've also researched from various sources that Apollo and Bala sharks do not grow to maximum size when kept in aquaria.

When fish don't grow to their max size it is because they are kept in tanks that are too small. The best thing to do is buy fish that can grow fully in the tank you are keeping, rather then keeping stunted fish that should be bigger.

Of course, these are theories I have developed through experience, and a lot of people may not agree, but hopefully I've given you something to think about anyway.

 

[White Whale]

FanOFish: What kind of cichlids? I prefer freshwater to brackish. Can cichlids live in freshwater?

Freshwatergal: How many tater tots can I fit in there? Wouldn't they run rampant in there chasing all the fish and nipping fins? Yes, they are so cute. If I buy one little dwarf, what others can I put in there that he won't stalk when the community goes to sleep?

TheCichlidAddict: That's quite a lot of information. But I will be inclined to listen since it is information that was provided through experience. That does give me something to think about.

Thanx, guys! I hope to see more opinions and stuff.

 

[jaywings19]

I agree with thecichlidaddict's reply. Also, some of your combination choices do not provide for fish that need "company" of their own kind. For instance, you have several combinations with 1 bala shark. I am under the impression that these fish need to be kept in groups of 3. Likewise, for your combination choices with only 2 corys and/or 1 oto... that seems too few.

 

[thecichlidaddict]

Can cichlids live in freshwater?

New world cichlids live in the same water that most tropicals live in. African cichlids live in water that is more alkaline (higher ph) but it is still freshwater. There are in fact very few cichlids that are brackish, and they are not very popular. More importantly you are very limited in the types and number of cichlids that can be housed in a 20 gallon, and getting your hands wet in a community tank first might not be a bad idea.

 

[BigSteve]

The dwarf tank sounds very cool to me

 

[wuvmybetta]

You've got bala sharks on the list several times up there, I hate to rain on your parade but a 20 is in no way,large enough for a bala, they get huuuge! Just mark those out and stick with small fish, a 20 is a tiny tank and you're very restricted as far as what you can do with it. I keep an empty 20 handy for fry, and fry only because there's not much else to do with it unless you keep tiny fish.

 

[Adrinal]

Shell dwelers (African Cichlids) Thats my next small tank for sure. Read too many awsome things about them. Resistance is futile.

 

[White Whale]

You've got bala sharks on the list several times up there, I hate to rain on your parade but a 20 is in no way,large enough for a bala, they get huuuge! Just mark those out and stick with small fish, a 20 is a tiny tank and you're very restricted as far as what you can do with it. I keep an empty 20 handy for fry, and fry only because there's not much else to do with it unless you keep tiny fish.

It's a 20 long.

 

[thecichlidaddict]

It doesn't matter. Bala sharks should get to over a foot long in the right conditions, though they usually die prematurely and stunted because they are not kept in the right conditions.

It's best to stick to fish that do not exceed 3" or so in length in a tank this size.

 

[smileandnod]

Having recently set up a similar tank, I will say South American Dwarf Cichlids, specifically Apistogramma. A species such as Cacatuoides is reasonably robust, and if the water is kept in first rate condition, they will spawn and spawn and spawn....... Of course you could only keep a max of three of these in there. Maybe add two or three small tetras for dither fish.

Hard work, but worth it.

When fish appear to grow to fit the size of the tank, this is only on the outside. The insides will continue to grow, leading to a very nasty death for the fish .
As has been said before this means no Bala.

Ian.

 

[White Whale]

How about a red-tailed shark?

 

[smileandnod]

You've got bala sharks on the list several times up there, I hate to rain on your parade but a 20 is in no way,large enough for a bala, they get huuuge! Just mark those out and stick with small fish, a 20 is a tiny tank and you're very restricted as far as what you can do with it. I keep an empty 20 handy for fry, and fry only because there's not much else to do with it unless you keep tiny fish.

It's a 20 long.

How long? I've just had to buy a five foot tank to keep mine in growing and swimming space.

Thats 60 inches. And that will need upgrading in 18 months or so as well!!