How big of a tank do I need for 3 white clouds, 1 honey gourami, and 3-4 ghost shrimp?

Question

I am looking at keeping a fish, and have picked out what fish I want, but I can't tell what size tank I need. I am considering a biorb, but I don't know if it is appropriate. I want a slightly smaller tank, around maybe 15-20 gal. Plant recommendations and general advice on my choices also appreciated. Thanks

Answer 1

It wou;dn't be a great idea to keep them together but you could do it with a temperature in the low to mid 70's. That about the top of the comfort range for white coulds, but they will be fine. A 10 gallon tank would easily do it with room to spare.

MM

Answer 2

White Clouds are tiny fishes, Honey Gourami are also small fish. A 10 gallon tank would be appropriate for your fishes and shrimp.

If you have plans for adding a few more White Clouds and another honey gourami, a 15 or 20 gallon tank would be better. Regardless of tank size, your fishes will definitely appreciate a planted tank. Aquatic plants like "Amazon Sword" and "Jawa Fern" as well as "Jawa Moss" are easy to care for and long lasting.

Anyway White Clouds are cold water fish but Honey Gourami and Ghost shrimp are tropical fish. I not sure whether they are best combination for your tank. But I think they CAN co-exist together. I had White Clouds living with my tropical fishes without any problem. White Coulds will look good if you keep them in a small shoal of 6 - 8.

Answer 3

20 long would be nice. Has a greater surface area than a 20 high. If you can go for a 29, it uses the same hood and stand as a 20 long, so it will only cost a little more.

Common Glass Aquarium Sizes

5.5 Gallon 16x8x10 (128 sq. in.)
10 Leader 20x10x12 (200 sq. in.)
10 Hexagon 14x12x18 (127 sq. in)
15 Gallon 24x12x12 (288 sq. in.)
20 High 24x12x16 (288 sq. in.)
20 Long 30x12x12 (360 sq. in.)
25 Gallon 24x12x20 (288 sq. in.)
29 Gallon 30x12x18 (360 sq. in.)
30 Gallon 36x12x16 (432 sq. in.)
30 Breeder 36x18x12 (648 sq. in.)
33 Long 48x13x12 (624 sq. in.)
37 Gallon 30x12x22 (360 sq. in.)
38 Gallon 36x12x20 (432 sq. in.)
40 Long 48x13x16 (624 sq. in.)
40 Breeder 36x18x16 (648 sq. in.)
45 Gallon 36x12x24 (360 sq. in.)
50 Gallon 36x18x18 (648 sq. in.)
55 Gallon 48x13x20 (624 sq. in.)
65 Gallon 36x18x24 (648 sq. in.)
Petite body fish
1” per gallon or 1” per 12 sq. in. of surface
For example 20 long has 360 sq. in. surface area
360/12=30
Can a 20 long support 30” of fish? Probably not.
A 20 high has only 288 sq. in. surface area
288/12=24
Can a 20 long support 20” of fish? Probably not.
A 25 is also 288 sq. in. surface area
288/12=24
Can a 25 support 24” of fish. Probably.
I like to average the two for a more accurate capacity.
For the 20 long, 30 by surface area, 20 by volume averages to 25”
Can a 20 long support 25” of fish? Probably.
For the 20 high, 24 by surface area, 20 by volume averages to 22”
Can a 20 high support 22” of fish? Probably.
Why does the 20 long support 3” more fish that the 20 high?
A larger surface area allows a greater oxygen exchange, which is as important as volume of water.
Large bodied fish, such as gold fish you need to double or even triple these numbers, i.e. 3 gallons per inch and 36 sq. in. of surface per 1” of fish.
This is not the only consideration for fish tanks. Types of fish will appreciate one type of tank over another. For example, fast swimmers like Zebra Danios, Pearl Danios and Blue Danios will do best in a tank that is at least 30” long. They would be better kept in a 20 long rather than a 25. Giant Danios would do best in a tank at least 48” long. They would be better kept in a 55 rather than a 65.
On the other hand, slow, tall bodied fish like Angel Fish and Discus will do best in a deep tank. They would be better kept in a 65 rather than a 55. They, like other cichlids also need a bit more than the 1” per gallon and/or 12 sq. in. surface.

Answer 4

I still prefer Guppies and Neon tetras but those choices dont sound bad. although if you get a big tank like that it will look fairly empty if you only get 4 fish and a few ghost shrip. i like the way those shrimp look but I have never got them to live long. Make sure to get some short plants and tall plants. Decorating a tank falls to if you like a lot of plants or more stuff. you want to give the the fish hiding places but not to many that you cant ever find them. and if you get a big tank, you will need to get a heater for the winter. for that amount of fish you might would rather get a smaller tank or just get more fish. Either way good luck and have fun!

Answer 5

15 gallon or more is def. good. You should have:
- a filter (if you can, Top Fin 20 filter)

- extra filter cartridges (replace the one in the filter after 3-4 weeks of running or until it starts to overflow)

- lid with FLOURESCENT lights not incasedent (flourescent lights produce more light, incasedent produces more heat so the water evaporates faster)

- fish food (flake food, you should get one with color enhancers and treats including daphnia, tubifex worms, and bloodworms)

- heater (5 watts per gallon so you would need a 75 watt heater)

- gravel (Top Fin is the BEST brand possible just dont get the rainbow color because some of the color starts coming off)

- fish net

- artificial and living plants (java fern, duckweed, etc.)

- background (so they feel like they are in their natural habitat)

- airstone or ornament (fish need oxygen too)

- air pump with tubing

- chemicals (Stress Coat, Stress Zyme, Ammonia Chips, and others to get rid of nitrites, nitrates, etc.)

Hope this helps! :-)

Lilyoung

Answer 6

20-30 gal should do it

Answer 7

on average it is 1 gallon of water for every inch of fish. So if your fish is 5 inch's fully grown you need a 5 gallon tank

Answer 8

white clouds and honey gouramis can't live together... white clouds like the temp. at 64-72F and honey gouramis like it at 73-86F ...