New 20 gallon, what cool fish should I get?

Question

I just purchased a 20 gallon fish tank with a sand bottom. What fishes should I buy that are cool and exotic? I want some that will play in the sand or something? What decorations would match wit light sand??

Answer 1

Here are some fish to consider and who they get along with
http://www.liveaquaria.com/general/fwcompatibility_chart.cfm
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/categ.cfm?pcatid=830
A

Answer 2

Go to the pet store and take a look at the fish in their tanks. If they have fish together in the same tank most of the time it is safe to choose any fish and/or fish combination from that tank. Whether you have a 20 gallon tall or long also should somewhat determine what you get also. If you have a 20 gallon tall maybe less bottom dwelling fish and more fish that prefer "open water". If you have a 20 gallon long a good mix between bottom dwellers and open water fish. I have been an aquarist for many years and I have learned that fish and aquariums are pretty versitile. It can be done but it is kinda hard to screw it up, basically neglect. You should experiment with your tank try different things. I have heard so many times "you can't put different african cichlids in the same tank"............... guess what I did and I still have them all in that particular tank. I have 4 African cichlids in a 20 gallon tall. I have a pseudotropheus lombardoi (kenyi), pseudotropheus esterea (Minos Reef Variety), a Malawi Eye Biter (very neat fish) and a pseudotropheus crabro (bumble bee cichlid). All of these fish are over 5 inches except Razor (thats the Malawi Eye Biter) he's only like 3 inches and they live together fine. I also have a 75 gallon tank with cichlids same size and different types and I have no real problems there. I also have a 240 gallon tank and I have a fresh water stingray and about 60 different cichlids in and no problems and I was told you can't even put a freshwater stringray in a cichlid tank (pH too high).

My advice to you would be to get a few non agressive fish to start. Get some experience with them and move up to more aggressive fish if you want. Or you could simply find a type of fish you like and learn everything about it you can. I am sure whatever you do you will be successful.

If you want more help or would like to know more e-mail me.

Good Luck.

Answer 3

Salt water or fresh? It sounds like you are leaning toward fresh water since you also ask about decorations. Normally, live coral and anemone would "decorate" a salt water aquarium.

For fresh water, you have the African Cichlids are wonderful pets - very responsive to their owners and will stare at you when you are in the room with the aquarium, as if they bought the house to observe you. But if you go this route, you can never have anything other than African Cichlids - all relatively same sized. They are very aggressive and territorial. It's part of their charm. Go with plastic plants for these fish. Live ones won't last a week with them.

Another interesting mix is a variety of frogs and newts. These will stirup the sand and keep you entertained. They will enjoy live plants - particularly if the tops float on the surface of the water. This is where the frogs and newts will bask under the light of the aquarium.

Mystery Snails can be fun to watch. Be sure you like watching snails because I think they taught rabbits how to breed! Once you have snails, you'll ALWAYS have snails.

Some of the cool decorations I've seen make a mockery of the aquarium. You can get "No Fishing" or "No Swimming" signs. The moving ornaments like the treasure chest or the water wheel are cool - they move with air flowing lightly into or through them. Pet shops that specialize in aquariums will always have something new and eye-catching for the aquarium.

And don't forget the wall-o-air aerator tube to situate as a backdrop to your aquarium which shows a constant barrage of tiny bubbles going from the sand to the top of the aquarium. That's worth every penny. You can get them long enough for the length of the aquarium or in shorter ones to place amid plants or ornaments. A wonderful visual relaxation.

Have fun.

Answer 4

At 20 gallons you are limited in what can go in the tank. Freshwater community works best. They are colorful and stay relatively small so you can comfortably and safely house around 13 fish. The more aggressive barbs, ciclids, and all saltwater fish are very territorial and need a larger tank, they will pick each other off until there are only a few.

Answer 5

i could decide for guppies at first, they are colourful, common to stay with and if the hiding places are ample and there are not too many fish interior then they could multiply. do no longer shop the tank so clean as a whistle, fact says algae is to be there and that may not grimy. undergo in techniques 20 gallons is 20"of fish. So in case you have 2 " fish then you definately could have 10, comparable length. Get compatable fish too, they like to be at the same time.

Answer 6

I love my African cichlids...however, they are very aggresive and you can't put any other breeds with them There is a wide variety though, so you should be fine. The Africans are very responsive and are always at the front of the tank, plus they breed rather easily, so you get some babies out of the deal (they "raise" them in their mouth, and spit them out relatively well developed)! Just make sure to have some good hiding places. They also like to dig around in the sand/rocks...so they will uproot your decorations quite often! Whatever you get, make sure they are compatible. Good luck and have fun!

Answer 7

First you need to cycle the tank. Here's a link on how to do that...

Fishless Cycling
http://www.tropicalfishcentre.co.uk/Fishlesscycle.htm

Next - if ou are going to go with Freshwater fish I would recommend doing some species research for yourself on this site...

Aquaria Central Species Profiles
http://www.aquariacentral.com/species/

You will have to decide if you want to go with a Freshwater setup or a Marine (Saltwater) setup, but regardless - do some searching out on that site (there are over 700 different species profiled with pictures and writeups). Make sure if you mix species to look for any incompatibility traits (so you don't wind up with fighting/dead fish).

Good luck and welcome to the hobby!

Answer 8

Hmm.. be careful, most salt water and fresh water fishies are stolen from their natural habitat and bred because of their exotic and creative design. I suggest to not catalog shop. Go for something fun that you'd enjoy and that is easy maintainence.

Answer 9

i've always been partial to the maganase cichlid. he seems to have a personality. when you walk into the room he comes up to the glass to see you and does a little dance (probably because he's hungry) but he notices you. he's good looking, but he doesn't play well with others. and he gets big. he'll move big mouthfuls of sand around to make himself his own little domain. just my thoughts on this.

Answer 10

Blue Fin Tuna