Stocking A 20 Gallon

[Ninjouzata]

No idea what they'd be called, sorry Hopefully someone else will know.
 
Tiger barbs I'd say a minimum of a 30g, they get quite chunky and are active, as well as being pretty aggressive so would not mix well with your other fish more than likely. Usually best to keep them in species only tanks.
I do see the draw though, I really want some green ones some day!
 
I'm not sure on the other gourami unfortunately. HERE is a link to some info on the paradise.
Don't know which big gourami you could be talking about, the info cards they have may have the scientific name and if you can get that it'd be helpful.
 
I -think- you can get shrimp pellets at walmart but honestly can't remember..again, sorry I have stopped buying fish stuff there really.
 
Cories are absolutely adorable! I forgot to ask, what sort of substrate do you have?

 

[rikkitiger]

i have the regular aquarium gravel in hot pink, black and white. nothing too extravagant.
 
i will check out that paradise info, thanks.
 
and i really like the look of the barbs, but i understand.
 
thanks again!

just read the paradise info and read they are not the best for community tanks, so i guess not.
 
so what about iridescent sharks? i have seen them at walmart too.

 

[Ninjouzata]

I would caution against cories as on gravel their barbels are likely to get worn down and be more prone to infection.
I had mine on gravel and recently switched to sand as was sad looking at their gnubby faces with no barbels
 
Iridescent sharks are actually pangasius and should not even be in this hobby with how huge they get, sorry

 

[rikkitiger]

ok. Aw, and i loved the cory look too! what are my other options? it seems like cory was the main suggestion for the tank. Any other fish?

would it be worth it to take a chance on corys? or would it be pretty certain they would be unhappy?

 

[Ninjouzata]

It's up to you on chancing it. Is the gravel sharp or smooth? They usually would fare better on smooth gravel if they're going to have to be on it.
 
Do you not like the neon tetras? ;o

 

[rikkitiger]

i think that they might be a bit small for my taste. i really like the look of platies and corys. i don't know what you mean about smooth or sharp gravel, here is the link to what i have.
 
http/www.walmart.com/ip/Aqua-Culture-Aquarium-Gravel-Neon-Pink-5-lb-Fish-Aquatic-Pets/20613548

 

[Blondielovesfish]

Sorry about your tank cracking, at least you were able to get a new, bigger tank!
 
TBH I wouldn't have bottom dwelling corys, your gravel looks too sharp to me, sorry. 
Do you know what corys your walmart stocks? If they're pygmy corys then they might be suitable, as pygmys spend less time on the bottom of the tank and more in the middle of the tank.
 
When they're in your tank, neon tetras don't look that small, especially because they're in a school  
If you want a slightly larger tetra, you could try the cardinal tetra, that look very similar to the neons.
 
Do you know your pH? This gives a good indication of your water hardness, or, as Ninj said, you should be able to find that information online.
Do you get a white build up on your shower heads, water spouts etc.? If you do, that means you have hard water.
It is possible to have softwater fish in hardwater, as long as they are well acclimated to your water, you will have more success if you buy them locally, as long as they were kept in the same water as yours at the petshop.

 

[rikkitiger]

there is never any residue on the shower or anything, and i really truly looked online, my water site, but couldn't find anything about hardness.
 
The fish are still doing fine today
 
and i do think i have seen pygmy corys up there.

all the water in my town is from the same place, and i have seen the water that they put the fish in at walmart, so i think it is all pretty much the same. and the conditioner i use is aquasafe, which i know they use at walmart because ther isn't another option.
 
the fish are keeping active and swimmin' swimmin' swimmin! i must say they look a bit lonely though.

 

[rikkitiger]

a lot of room in that 20 gallon

 

[rikkitiger]

i am definetly going to go for a cory school, not pygmy. i really like their look and it might not be a sure thing that there would be problems.

 

[Blondielovesfish]

Well, it looks like you have made up your mind, just remember we did warn you that you might have problems (sorry if this sounds rude).
 
Sorry, i have completely forgotten, what type of cory are you looking at buying? Before you do buy, make sure to research them extensively to make sure they're suitable for your tank size and so that you know what they need food and care wise.

 

[rikkitiger]

thanks, i will! i decided to take a chance; yeah.