20 gallon high tank--What would you do with it?

Question

I recently purchased a 20 gallon high tank. I just need ideas what to stock it with. I'm a little at a loss.

(It will be cycled and will be planted with java fern and moss.)
Thank you!

hehe--I prefer freshwater fish. Always have always will.

Answer 1

The key here is to understock - the tank has much less surface area for oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange, so you can't stock quite as heavily as a 20 regular or 20 long.

You also don't want fish that need a lot of horizontal swimming space. There aren't many fish that swim vertically (apart from seahorses, and you said you didn't want saltwater), and that's a little small for keeping angelfish (tall fish look good in tall tanks).

I would suggest staying with something smaller, such as neons or cherry barbs, or platys or variatus if you want something with more color.

Since you mentioned planting, you could add a tall piece of driftwood, and make a moss wall for the back using the Java moss: http://www.aquamoss.net/How%20to%20create%20a%20moss%20wall/How%20to%20create%20a%20moss%20wall.htm

Answer 2

I just bought a 20 gallon high tank 2nd hand with fish in it. I have 4 sunset platys, 1 silver dollar, 1 figure 8 puffer fish,1 cory, and another type of small sucker fish. I plan to add some mollys and platys to it soon when it's been set up for a while. Just remember if you get fish that will grow big you have to have less fish. You should have 1 inch of fish per gallon, but figure out how big they will be full grown and use that as your inches #. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

A small variety of gouramis and tetras, and cory cats.

Answer 4

i'd fill it with tetras and platties. these fish are easy to care for and are ideal fish for a 20H because they don't grow very long

if you decide to buy other fish make sure they won't grow to long because a 20H is only 4in longer than a 10gal
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Answer 5

I'd go saltwater. :)