fish suggestions?

Question

I have three 20 gallon tanks that I want to set up with fish. One of them is already set and has a dinosaur bischir in for about 2 months now. I want to make one more freshwater (for money reasons) and I hope to have one saltwater too if I can afford it. First I need some good fish that can live ok with about a 5 inch bischir. I need some more freshwater fish that are neat and live together ok, and I need some cheap, but interesting and relatively low maintence saltwater fish. I am going to slowly build up, not buy them all at once, so fish that will adjust to each other ok.
I also want some opinions on buying fish online, and some places to do so. Is this a good idea? None of our local pet stores have an impressive selection, especially for freshwater.

I know nothing about aquatic plants, so any help with what to buy for what kind of fish would also be useful.

Thanks in advance!

I'm looking for stuff more along the lines of eels, rays, seahorses, and squid (if they exist??) for freshwater. I also love things like knifefish, but they are a little too expensive.

I would prefer no more thatn $10 a fish, but that's generally speaking.

Answer 1

A 20 gallon tank would not be able to hold a big variety of big fish, so you would have to stick to the smaller ones (which is good because usually, the smaller, the cheaper).

This is a great web site that has 12 different tank setups with a huge selection of fish to chose from that would go together in one tank. Check it out for ideas for your other 20 gal. tanks: http://www.elmersaquarium.com/h701elmers_freshwater_handbook.htm

Here is a great site with great live plant tips and benifits: http://www.elmersaquarium.com/c105liveplants.htm

Saltwater tanks are very expensive and hard to maintain. But it is usually worth it when you do everything right and have beautiful, vibrant saltwater fish in the end!

A great website to get live fish (freshwater, saltwater, brackish, and pond), plants, inverts (marine, freahwater, and pond inverts), live rock, tank cleaners (sea cucumbers, snails, starfish, etc), and so much more: http://www.elmersaquarium.com/c105liveplants.htm
Here's their shipping info page: http://www.liveaquaria.com/general/general.cfm?general_pagesid=28&ref=3319&subref=AE
They have a 100% "Arrive Alive, Stay Alive risk free guarantee", with a 14 day stay alive guarantee: http://www.liveaquaria.com/general/general.cfm?general_pagesid=23&ref=3319&subref=AF

You are right to slowly build up and not buy everything all at once.

As for the dinosaur bischir, I don't know exactly what would go good with it. But fish that are together need to be of equal or almost the same size as their tank mates. Their full size can be up to 10 inches or more, so it will most likely outgrow its 20 gal tank. Adding fish to this tank wouldn't be smart unless you want to upgrade to a larger tank.

Here is a good site for how to add new fish to a tank with or without other fish on it: http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/show_article.php?article_id=386

Good luck, I hope this helped!

Answer 2

Well, since Sea Horses and Squid are saltwater, and any of the 4 creatures you mentioned would cost $20-$150, I am not sure you are ready for a saltwater tank. Stick to freshwater until you understand what fish need what conditions. Do online research, find fish you like, go home, look online, make sure they don't get a foot long, and lastly, make sure they won't eat each other. Research is the key to a healthy fish tank.

Nosoop4u

Answer 3

The easiest salt water fish are damsel fish they are semi-aggressive but realy cheap

In australia black ghost knife fish are only $15-$25 depending on the size

Answer 4

not for a 20, a birchir isnt small, and will grow and need at 75 gallon.

As of now nothng, maybe an african butterfly fish.

Answer 5

seahorses are saltwater fish



EB