20gal feeder tank?

Question

I have a 20gal freshwater feeder tank for my lionfish. I want something pretty in there, because all I have at the moment are feeders. Is there anything that I can have that won't eat the feeders?

We have red dollies or something like that as feeders. We did have guppies but my LFS ran out. We keep a dozen or so feeders in at a time. I just want something nice in the tank as something more permanent. Nothing that would contribute to the feeders, just that they won't eat them.

Answer 1

How about a few livebearers like mollys, platys or swordtails? Not only are they pretty but as they have babies it's just more feeders.

MM

Answer 2

Wild guppies are fun and colorful, but they may be to small for your lion fish.

Sunburst platys are colorful too and they are also live bearers and they won't bother your feeders

What kind of feeders are you housing in the 20g anyway?

Answer 3

Nothing, and i'm not kidding. For feeeders you put about what 20 of them in there or more....... And because of the poop of the wonderful goldfish 20 in there there is tons of poop. But they are hardy fish, thats why they live through it. If you had to put something you'd put another goldfish. But i wouldn't advise it.

Answer 4

I would stay clear of mollies of all types. They tendancy to get ich can quickly wipe out your feeder tank. Are you using goldfish as feeders? You will be limited to cold water species.

Barbs - Several readily available species of Barbs are tolerant of temperatures into the mid sixties, or even lower. All are easy to care for, and are suitable for a community aquarium. They include: the Gold Barb (Barbus schuberti), the Green Barb (Barbus semifasciolatus), the Rosy Barb (Barbus conchonius), and the Two Spot Barb (Barbus ticto).

Bloodfin Tetra - Both the standard Bloodfin (Aphyocharax anisitsi), and the False Bloodfin (Aphyocharax dentatus) tolerate temperatures as low as the mid sixties.
Bloodfins are offered in many pet shops, are easy to care for, and are quite hardy. They are active top dwellers and are best kept in schools.

Buenos Aires Tetra (Hemigrammus caudovittatus) - Easily found for sale, they will tolerate temperatures into the mid sixties. Standard varieties, as well as albino variants can be found. Like the Bloodfins, they are undemanding and easy to care for. They are suitable for a community tank, but will eat live plants voraciously.

Croaking Tetra (Coelurichthys microlepis) - Not often found for sale, they are an attractive fish that is worth shopping around for. Like other coldwater tetras, they are easy to care for and are suitable for community tanks.

Guppy (Poecilia reticulata) - As readily available as any fish, there are many attractive variations of this popular fish.

Hillstream Loaches - Although they are not often seen in pet shops, some species can be found for sale from time to time. Not all of them prefer cool temperatures, but most will tolerate temps that fall into the mid to upper sixties.

Native Fish - A variety of North American native fish are now being sold in the aquarium trade. Virtually all of them tolerate cool water. Availability varies from state to state, as do laws regarding which species may be legally kept in home aquariums. Keep in mind that some will become too large to keep in a standard aquarium.

Pearl Danio (Brachydanio albolineatus) - Like the zebra danio, this fish is very hardy and easy to care for. It will tolerate temperatures into the mid 60's without difficulty, and is easy to find. They are larger than zebras, but need not be kept in schools.

Weather Loach (Misgurnus angullicaudatus) - Readily available, this loach is one of the easiest to care for. Couple that with the fact that it will tolerate temperatures into the fifties, and it makes an excellent candidate for a coldwater tank.

Wimple (Myxocyprinus asiaticus) - Also known as the Freshwater Batfish. Not commonly found, it is an unusual fish that is worth tracking down if you like to have something unique. It will tolerate temps into the mid sixties.

White Cloud Mountain Minnow (Tanichtys albonubes) - One of the easiest fish to care for, a new gold colored variant has become very popular. They do best in cooler temperatures, although very low temps will lessen their attractive coloration.

Zebra Danio (Brachydanio rerio) - Outside of goldfish and the guppy, the zebra is the most readily available of all coldwater fish. They tolerate temps that fall into the mid sixties, and are very easy to care for. Long finned species are available, as well as a popular leopard spotted variety.


There are a few to start.