20gal Tank

[RotaryDan]

Hi guys im Danny, new to this site and kinda new to fish aquariums so i thought i would ask a couple questions

i just purchased a 20 gal tank. i havent had the chance to do anything with it yet, so i thought i would ask for idea's. I like to plan out things before I spend the money. I really want to have some sort cichlid. if someone could list possible options that would be great.

Also i still need to buy decor. I will most likely use a piece or 2 of small to medium sized driftwood with a few smooth rocks, But i wanted to get real plants. Im completely new to planting though, i read the sites info already but im still unsure. i want plants that dont require lots of care and would do well with small cichlids. so please leave a comment if u have any idea's.

 

[f8fan]

Welcome to the tank, Danny! With a 20 gallon, I would consider geting a pair of Kribensis. They have all the colour and personality you could wish for. They would need a cave or hiding place to call "home". I'm not sure about live plants, never done them, I go all plastic/silk, however there are quite a few memebers here who could help you out on that aspect.
Again, welcome and good luck with your tank!

 

[Exevious]

Just make sure you know what your getting... alot of cichlids get well over 6 inches. In about a year that 20 will be way too small.

There are several that wont get large... do your research.

 

[Orion]

Kirbs are deffintaly an option. Many of the dwarf south american cichlids would do well in a 20, as well as some of the shell dwellers and smaller rock dwellers from Lake Tanganyika.

There are tons of options, if you want, we can post some names and let you research them and see what you think you may like.

 

[RotaryDan]

well I looked through the sites Archive (freshwater fish profiles - Cichlids) all these fish that im about to list are in the cichlid family and require a 20g tank at the very least (some posted as 10g)

AngelFish
Blue Ram
Borellis
Brichardi
Butterfly Cichlid
Cockatoo Dwarf
Convict
Dwarf Agassiz
Dwarf Banded
Firemouth
Keyhole
Kribensis or Krib
Neolamprologus brevis
Neolamprologus similis
Yellow Lab

Also my dad use to have a 75+g tank and kept a variety of cichlids, He told me that i can get jewel cichlids which might be a intresting route

 

[FroggyFox]

Thats pretty much the list...although in a 20G I dont think I'd put more than one angelfish, so if you're planning on having more of a community I think I'd cross that one off the list.

N Brichardis are very pretty fish and they'd be fun to do a species tank with (only get brichardis) because they're pretty prolific breeders, and I believe they will do OK with some plants. Orion would be able to add some more to that I think he still has some in a planted tank? I hear the same about convicts...but I'm not sure they're plant friendly. I think SA cichlids like those rams would be a great choice...they're very pretty and I believe they're ok with most plants (someone please correct me if I'm wrong on that...I've never kept them)

Remember...just because those fish in the list all had 20G or under on them, doesn't mean that they'd go well together You should take that list (and those scientific names) to your local stores and see who has what. I hear shell dwellers are a lot of fun to keep, but I've never seen them available to me here locally.

 

[RotaryDan]

I made the list based on info given by the site just as a reference for other people wondering the same thing. I thought it might be useful for people wondering what are their choices.

Out of all the fish im only really intrested in Blue rams, kribs, and some of the dwarfs.
But at the moment im really leaning towards gettings kribs.

 

[straitjacket]

Kribs would be a great option. You should be able to keep some small fast middle or top dwelling schooling fish as well such as danios or small barbs. They'd work well as dithers or if you wanted more than just 1 type of fish in the tank. I'd stay away from bottom dwellers as a pair of kribs are likely going to take up that strata. Some top dwelling fish should stay relatively unharmed even when the kribs are breeding. They might get chased a bit but nothing serious. I've kept a pair of kribs in a 20 (both high and long) and it's a good tank size for a small active community. You can plant it as kribs will leave plants well enough alone untill they want to breed. Then they will need a cave and will often dig sand into a mound to cover up the entrance to any cave (this is when a plant might accidentally be dug up) cleverly making it difficult for you to see in. They'll dig small pits to transfer fry to but these aren't deep and shouldn't disturb plants. Kribs are greatly fascinating, they give you great experience with breeding and raising babies (if that's your choice) and often open the gate to other species that care for eggs and fry. Not nearly as difficult to breed as some South Americans and are usually quite excellent parents as apposed to some of the egg/fry neglectors such as M. ramirezi. They're a choice you won't regret!