20g needing some ideas

[pondnewbe]

well i have some gold fish in a 20 g there moving back out to the pond in the early spring probably so im looking for ideas of what to do with the new open space. my dad likes tetras but im not sure if thats just cause thats all he knows or not
but i figure smaller and more fish would be more there type something like a school of neons or maybe some cardinals and maybe some more tetras or something maybe a little bit bigger fish kind of showy that would get along in the community. i'm not the one that would be doing most of the cleaning and upkeep i think they would rather have something that they done have to put a whole lot of work into it will probably be planted but it doesn't have to be. any ideas would be great i look froward to seeing new ideas for this tank thanks guys and girls for all your help

EDIT:
like 12*24*15 i think its a 20 that was kind of just a guess

 

[big54bob]

ok u got all winter to decide so look at lfs for ideas then ask them

 

[pondnewbe]

well i would but i was kind of looking for ideas around here

ok u got all winter to decide so look at lfs for ideas then ask them

hey man i kind of have an idea but i was wondering how the tetras would be and what kind of other fish go nicely with tetras around here the only fish stores are like petco and those kids prob have never had a fish them selves or know anymore than the little price tag say about them

 

[big54bob]

well u could look at a book on fish or go to animal planet.com

 

[Lotus]

Do you have a heater in the tank? If not, you will need to get one to keep tropicals.

There are many different kinds of tetras available, and they're popular fish. A tank with tetras and a gourami would work. Other things you could think about are livebearers (platies, guppies, swordtails) or rasboras, perhaps.

 

[pondnewbe]

well i guess u should go back to not paying attention i don't mean to be rude but seriously i'm sure there are books for everybody else's questions but this is a lot faster and kind of what this site is for so if you don't mind going back to doing what your avatar says then i would greatly appreciate it thanks for your time and concern

 

[James From Cali]

Well I would say go with some Neons/Cardinal Tetras with some Cory Cats. And maybe get a Gourami as a centerpiece. Its all personal preferance though. Just look around, see what you like, do a little research, and any more questions just ask!

 

[big54bob]

well u do want more neons right
heres the list and pick out wat u like
5 neons
1 oto
3pictus catfish
2 rosy tetras
3 pretty tetras
3 leopard danios
i have a book on hand so dont worry and keep your eye out for fish u like

 

[YahooFishKeeper]

i dont think so... no pctuses, they will eat your fish, and will get too large. also, i think less schools... if you could call them that. generally you need at least 6 to be a school... and schooling fish like schools. i think neons or cards, and a gourami, but not a dwarf kind.

 

[pondnewbe]

hmm well ill keep my eye out for what kinds of gourmis the lfs here keeps stocked would it be better to start with the tetras or the gourmi or should i put them all in there together i hope the lfs has some cardinals but if not neons sound good or maybe even black neons ill see what i can find. i do have some time before i can buy them but this sounds like a good start thanks for the help.

 

[YahooFishKeeper]

i suggest doing a water change the day you tank the goldies out, and then buying the fish you plan on. that way, the tank is already cycled and ready to go. you can add full stock if you want then.

 

[GIS Guy]

Forget about tetras and gouramis.
Go with a tank of BARBS!
You could do cherry barbs, albino barbs, green barbs, tiger barbs.

 

[big54bob]

Forget about tetras and gouramis.
Go with a tank of BARBS!
You could do cherry barbs, albino barbs, green barbs, tiger barbs.

dude tetras and goramis are prettier but tiger barbs are kool in a school

 

[YahooFishKeeper]

barbs or tetras... either would work. which (if either) to choose is all personal opinion. personally, i like tetras. neons and cardinals are my thing. barbs are nice too though.

 

[pondnewbe]

are barbs really schooling fish and would they be fie with the gourmis? or are you saying only barbs ? i kind of liked the idea of having a gourmi to change it up a little but i like how the barbs look. i guess i would really leave it up to my parents because they are the ones that would really be doing most of the keeping them sense im in college out of town and not home all the time.

 

[GIS Guy]

I'm saying just Barbs.
There are several types out there.
They do tend to school occassionally.

A variety of tigers/greens and cherries would be nice.
The cherries have a different body shape than the tigers and would make good contrast.

 

[Seleya]

If you preferred cooler water, rosy barbs are very pretty and appreciate lower temps. Also, white clouds, danios, and some other species of barb and rasbora. For the bottom, some loaches, such as dojos.

As has been suggested before, it is best to go look around, check out the rate my tank section on this forum, the fish stores and books to see what appeals to you. Giving us something to go on with your own interests in mind is actually easier in many ways. Everyone has their own tastes.

I had one tank I loved with Australian desert gobies and marble/golddust mollies, Grey Coast calcite as substrate with matching lava rocks, driftwood and java moss and java fern -- very simple, very active, very pretty. Another smaller tank I've enjoyed had just Endlers and carambella (dwarf) crayfish, natural stone and loads of driftwood and plants. My koi angels with rummynoses, hatchets (imo, a very underrated fish!), metae cories, Bolivian rams (another very underestimated fish), and a bristlenose have always received good reviews from visitors. And then there are my goldie tanks.....

Some tanks are cool for what you do with them, some because of what is in them and to heck with spiffies. Have fun shopping around, you have plenty of time to fine tune it with our help.