what fish can i put in a 20 gallon tank

Capra

I just started the cycling my tank last night and I am trying to come up with some ideas for fish i would like to have 6-tiger barbs and 1-krib and 1-bristlenose catfish and maybe some snails to help clean i am willing to change. I just want so fish that like the middle to the top area of the tank and the then some for the bottom of the tank so it lots like i have a lot going on but i dont really thanks for your time and help

sidluckman

To be honest, I think a twenty gallon tank is too small for barbs. Much as I like them, I have never kept them in tanks smaller than 48 inches long. It's their non-stop activity and need for companionship that, for me, require bigger dimensions. Possibly cherries or checkers, but even those need long stretches of straight and narrow swimming space.Once I kept a school of fifteen Odessas in a 125 and they still bothered the other inhabitants no end. Barbs never seem to have enough, save for those two small species I mentioned. When they spawn, they sort of race down the freeway of love side by side and drop the goods in a clump of plants. My checkers and rubies bred in my 55 planted, and my rosies in an outdoor pond. I can't imagine what they'd do if they got frisky in a 24" tank-- do loop-the-loops?

I think the ancistrus is a good choice, certainly better than the usual CAE or common Hypostomus Pleco. The krib and ancistrus might get in each other's faces. You know where the krib likes to be, right? I would say pick one or the other but not both.

I'd be inclined to try to fit the Ancistrus with some small schooler that might not be so active as barbs: celestial pearl rasboras, espei rasboras, even many of the little tetras are less active than barbs. Any thoughts? I hate to dash people's dreams, but the right combination of fish is worth finding, if it requires a special order at your LFS and a bit more time. . .

Warring fish are just no fun, and barbs are grumpy enough under the best circumstances. . .

What's your typical water like? Hard? Soft? Acidic?

Capra

I have not gotten that far yet as i am still cycling the tank right now and please feel free to put down my "dreams" as this is why I am asking for help i want a great tank with as much activity as possible. What would be good fish for this and I really want the Rainbow Krid in my tank because i just love the way they look any and all help would be great

sidluckman

Kribs are beautiful and assertive fish. The females, unlike lots of other cichlids, are the more beautiful sex. I think I would avoid other substrate-oriented fish if you are most attached to the idea of owning one of these. I am wondering though, what I would be willing to risk in a tank of this size. If this were a 40 long, the krib could probably set up housekeeping at one end of the tank and there would still be room for other fish without their being subjected to frequent clobbering!

Upside down cats? Synodontis are peaceful, but not pushovers. This is the smallest one I know of. Small tank size. Soft water neutral to acidic. . . I will keep thinking.

Capra

A guy at my LPS(not petsmart) told me i could keep 10 bleeding heart tetras and 3-4 cory catfish with the krid

sidluckman

Bleeding hearts might work. Last time I kept them they badgered my angels something fierce. They might be okay with the Krib: my last experience with them told me they are tougher than people think. Not occupying the same level in the tank as the Krib is also a bonus. Seems like a lot of fish for a twenty, but do-able if you are a faithful water-changer.

Corys could be okay; I think you should include lots of tangled driftwood so everyone has their own "crib" so to speak!

Capra

OK so and I want to get a auto fish feeder but do i need two or three because of the different fish types?

sidluckman

Probably not. Automatic fish feeders should be used to help you out on occasion, but can't solve all your issues. Some fish need an extra hand to make sure they get fed. If you have lots of very aggressive feeders that crowd the surface, will your ancistrus and cory cats get enough? Sometimes we need to "target feed" those fish, or feed at night when the lights are out so those nocturnal feeders won't go hungry. . .

Capra

About how many times should i feed a day for the fish I mean I am gone about 12-14 hours a day so I could feed them two times right now is that to little?

Byron

I would not have Tiger Barb in this small a tank, and certainly not with a cichlid who will likely be targeted. The feisty nipping of TB can be curtailed by having a larger group (8 is minimum for this species) and in a larger space (30g minimum). Fewer fish and in a smaller space is much more likely to cause increased aggressive behaviour, and a sedate fish such as a krib would probably be targeted.

I would look for more peaceful and less rambunctious fish to mix with the krib. Some of the rasbora species (medium, not the dwarf species) would be better.

Byron.

P.S. I came across another thread on the same topic that had posts from other members, so I have merged it in to this earlier thread.