Fish compatability. I need ideas?

Question

After a disaterous nitrogen episode, I am left with three female guppies. I have a 20 gallon tank with artificial plants and those root like things for fishies to swim through and around. I also have two bubble sticks buried under the gravel and two filtration systems attached to the tank. SO the question is, what should I put in there that will get along well with the surviors? I was thinking a betta female only, but I would like thoughts from people who DO this for a hobby and not illeducated guesses. The tank is in my son's room as it's good white noise at night, but I take care of it.

NO tetra's...I've had them before and they are the most disgusting fish I've ever owned. I'm not looking to breed, just colors mainly to keep a kiddo entranced.

Answer 1

You have a lot of options. The easiest, most active, most colourful one is to get a school of tetras. You could 10 or so one of the following:
neon tetras http://img225.exs.cx/img225/3290/neontetra6mc.jpg
cardinal tetra http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/Fishindx/Fishpics/cardinals.jpg
lemon tetra http://www.aqua-fish.net/imgs/fish/034.jpg
harlequin rasbora http://tropicalresources.net/phpBB2/templates/BMan1Blue/images/profile_pics/fish_profiles_heteromorpha1.jpg
glowlight tetra http://www.solodvds.com/images/fish/Hemigrammus_erythrozonus_s.jpg
zebra danio http://www.winternet.com/~mchristi/fish/zebradanio.jpg
... the list goes on and on and on.

You could get a betta, but if you're going with females, you can get more than one. Males can't be kept with ANY other bettas, but females can be kept together. Get a minimum of 3 (with 2 of them, you can have aggression problems) or just get 1.

Other neat fish are, for a centrepiece fish
A pair of kribensis cichlids:
http://www.cichlids.dk/thumb/28887.jpg

Or a pair of bolivian rams:
http://www.azgardens.com/images/Ram-Bolivian.gif

Or a pair of apistogramma:
http://www.c-u-w.net/jpg/ad_konigs/apistogramma_agassizii_(ad_konigs).jpg

Or ONE dwarf gourami:
http://www.biol.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/users/naibunpi/Image/Gourami-photo-old.jpg

You could also get 3-4 corydoras as cleanup crew / grounddwellers:
http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/People/h-Cory-julii.jpg

Or, in keeping with the guppy theme, you could do a livebearer tank. Say, get a male guppy to go with the ladies, and a group of platies and a group of endlers livebearers.

And you can also get some shrimp (amano, fan, or ghost shrimp), or a mystery snail, to add an interesting element to the tank.

Sorry to hear about your nitrate problem, those are sneaky buggers. I always advise to get a master testing kit. It'll cost you 30$ and you can monitor these levels and increase water changes accordingly :)




Edit: Are you sure they were tetras? I've never heard anyone describe tetras like that before, they seem so innoffensive; but hey, to each his own ;) The reason I suggested tetras is because they are small, colourful, and they are active. You could also get more guppies, or some platies to do this, or some danios or rasboras. Or get some of the bigger fish I suggested, which are more fun to look at IMO because you can recognize individual fish.

Answer 2

First, it would be a good idea to get a couple of cat fish to clean the bottom of the tank. A female betta would likely only hang around in a corner somewhere, they aren't great in community tanks. How about getting a small school of something like rasboras, or neon or cardinal tetras for color, maybe a couple of platies or mollies. A pair of dwarf gouramis would look great, too.

Answer 3

Tetras might make a excessive high quality addition on your tank. consistently be helpful to get a minimum of three or 4 minimum as they seem to be a training fish. Your beta would be nice as long as you do not upload yet another beta fish. in one tank, I even have had purple Tail shark, tetras of distinctive varieties, Black Knife Fish, Angel Fish, Gourami's and additionally you will possibly be able to even effectively positioned Tiger Barbs into an area tank, as long as there are countless as they are the variety to %. on fish, yet in a huge college, they are going to %. on basically one yet another.

Answer 4

Mollies and platys are good with the guppies. I also have tetras in my tank but I guess you dont like them. I'd stick with mollies or platy's. Some have nice colors and I think mollies are so cute!

Answer 5

First of all, you should consider replacing the artificial plant with real ones as they can help you with the nitrogen cycle and avoid episodes of fish intoxication. I have a plant called ludwigia in my aquarium. It's easy to find and to grow and do not require any particular care. As for the fishes, I have guppies, zebras, one corydoras, one otocinclus and one borneo pleco... they are all doing fine. Of course, the petshop guy will be able to tell you what fishes can be compatible with your guppies and your water's physical and chemical properties (temperature, flow, ph, hardness, etc.). Good luck!

Answer 6

More guppies, sward tails, platys and molly's.

I keep all of these together and love the way my tanks look.

Answer 7

The best thing that go with guppies are tetras. they are very durable and are surprisingly resistant to nitrite. they are also community fish