Might set up my 20...

[98XJSport]

... but can't decide what to put in it.

I kept a 55 for a long time, but got sick of the upkeep. Plus I wanted the space for a snake tank So the 55 is now a snake tank, and I have the 20 gallon tank the snake was in. I had it set up years ago with tetras, etc. So I really don't want to go down that route again. I want something different.

So Im pretty open to suggestions for what to put in it that's not common tetras, guppies etc. I was thinking an oscar perhaps, but this probably isn't enough tank for one adult. But I do want something fairly predatory/aggressive and intelligent. No problem throwing in feeder fish. Are there any hardy small chicilids that would thrive as a pair in there? I want to stay freshwater. Maybe some type of eel or rope fish?

Thanks for any suggestions you might throw my way. Gotta use the tank before I am tempted to throw something reptilian in it again

 

[iamthedeadman]

You could possibly start a small predator reef. That could be pretty interesting. But then again, most saltwater pred's require more then 20 gallons. As do Oscars. I'd just keep the 20 gallon as a feeder tank, to raise smaller fish, buy a 55 gallon for an oscar. And have fun? Cichlids in a small tank like that would never grow to full size. It'd be way to small for them, atleaste in my opinion.

 

[98XJSport]

Like I said, I already have the 55. Got sick of keeping that many fish, keeping that much tank clean. I just want a pair or so of interesting predatory fish to occupy my 20 that are fun to watch, but won't require a few hours to take care of.

 

[iamthedeadman]

Well... You could fit 1, and only 1 dwarf pike cichlid for an aggresive. Or for semi-aggresive a combiantion of barbs and 1 rainbow or red tail black shark. If you get a freshwater angel, when mature, you can feed them tetras and other small fish. Tetras being their natural prey in the wild.

 

[Greyscale_Geckos]

Get dwarf flag cichlids! They are very unique looking, and they allow for tank mates. You could fit a pair and some tankmates easily in a 20 gallon.

http://www.aqua-fish.net/show.php?h=dwarfflagcichlid

 

[98XJSport]

Hmm I had forgotten about angels. I might be able to find something along those lines.

And dwarf chichlids sound very interesting. Im thinking I could easily keep at least a pair of sub 3" in there.

Anyone have experience with figure 8 puffers?

 

[Greyscale_Geckos]

You could get a nice pair of angels... They'd probably pick on anything else in the tank though.

I've never owned figure eights myself, but I have had a few forum friends who kept them in pairs in freshwater. I also have some friends who had very aggressive specimens who had to be kept separately... Either way, these guys don't like anything other than themselves and possible a mate in the tank. Not exactly a friendly puffer.

 

[Lecko my Gecko]

do apistos they are awsome dwarf cichlids! can do angels or discus with them. here is one thing though the fact that you had a snake in there, it may be hard to get out any amonia from the snake with out using anything that may stay in the tank and cause water problems, I dont know. I just dont put fish in anything that has had any other animals in it. just my opinon

 

[fishyfan]

tanganyikans all the way...

you could do a pair of julidochromis, or a pair of n. brichardi (or pretty much anything in the brichardi complex), or a pair of shell dwellers.

Few pics of my tanganyikan cichlids

Neolamprologus marunguensis (part of the brichardi complex)

julidochromis

lamprologus brevis (shell dweller)

Brevis babies

 

[98XJSport]

Thanks for all the tempting suggestions.

Im currently leaning towards a pair of puffers and some sort of eel/dragonfish/ropefish. I think it would be just enough to keep me interested, and different from any other fish Ive kept so far.

I am also thinking I might want a planted tank. If there are any snail populations the puffers are snail eaters. Plus it's something Ive never done, and think it could turn out good. Any plant suggestions?

Also I can't seem to find my 20 gallon filter. But I still have my 30-60 gallon filter, which is pretty much the same thing but it has 2 filters instead of one. Any reason I couldn't use this? It might mean less cleaning in the long run, as long as it's not to turbulent/oxygenated.

 

[fishyfan]

Im currently leaning towards a pair of puffers and some sort of eel/dragonfish/ropefish. I think it would be just enough to keep me interested, and different from any other fish Ive kept so far.

Just so you know, figure 8 puffers aren't freshwater. You could try looking into a south american puffer (Colomesus asellus), or a group of dwarf puffers (Carinotetraodon travancoricus).

As far as an eel, you could try a peacock eel (Macrognathus siamensis). Most of the other spiny eels get too big for a 20 gallon.

 

[98XJSport]

Just so you know, figure 8 puffers aren't freshwater.

Slightly brackish doesn't constitute it as not being freshwater in my book

Ive basically narrowed it down to angel fish, >3" chichlids, or figure 8 puffers. Also looking into a ropefish or a dragonfish to throw in there, haven't researched either yet. Going to do that now.

Edit: Scratch that they both get too big. 12" for dragon gobys and 12-36" for ropefish...

 

[fishyfan]

Slightly brackish doesn't constitute it as not being freshwater in my book

Ive basically narrowed it down to angel fish, >3" chichlids, or figure 8 puffers. Also looking into a ropefish or a dragonfish to throw in there, haven't researched either yet. Going to do that now.

Edit: Scratch that they both get too big. 12" for dragon gobys and 12-36" for ropefish...

well, they aren't going to be as healthy as they would be if kept in brackish water. Just because they will live in freshwater doesnt mean they will thrive...

 

[98XJSport]

well, they aren't going to be as healthy as they would be if kept in brackish water. Just because they will live in freshwater doesnt mean they will thrive...

The point I was trying to make is that I would consider water with a quick slight amount of salt thrown in pretty much a freshwater tank... which is all that figure 8s would require.

 

[cwazy]

puffers... they are great snail eaters... horrible friends LOL... they love to nip at tails if nothing else... a 30-60 filter would be great! i have a 29 with tetras and such with a 60 gallon whisper and it does great... and my 55 i have has 2 whisper 60s.... more filtration means more gallons per min. wich is a good thing!... least it works great for me... *shrug* with the eels and the such... you gotta have a good sealed cover... and i mean sealed... they will escape... i have seen this when i worked at the local pet store... you never knew what tank the eel was gonna be in, or if in one at all... lol... but who knows... people try things with fish that others say isnt possible... and it works for them... ive seen an oscar house with a commet lol... so it happens really! i would think if nothing else you may be best off with a chiclid of some sort *shrug*

btw... where in maine are you... ?

 

[98XJSport]

The snail part is what is shying me away from puffers. Don't really know how to do live plants, and not sure that it's worth the trouble really. Dunno. Pretty much leaning towards a couple chiclids if anything at this point.

Im in Farmington these days.
You're in the Jay area if I remember right?

 

[MischiefManaged]

I kept a pair of convict cichlids in a 20 gallon and they did very well. Only problem is they breed like crazy and you will have to find homes for the babies. But they are very beautiful and interactive fish.

 

[cwazy]

The snail part is what is shying me away from puffers. Don't really know how to do live plants, and not sure that it's worth the trouble really. Dunno. Pretty much leaning towards a couple chiclids if anything at this point.

Im in Farmington these days.
You're in the Jay area if I remember right?

yeah... i have tried the planted deal a couple of times, and it seems every time i do plants my water goes all loopy :main_laugh: i dont know if its just the right timing or something with plants... but its enough to stear me away from them... if you look on the uncle henerys website there is someone selling baby convicts for a buck a whack, or 75 cents ea. for 10 or more... just a thought for a cheep try out... there are some chiclids that are not complete aggressors so you could have some tank mates... *shrug* seriously... its all in trying it out... sounds mean, but its true... i couldnt tell you how many times rick *the owner of our local pet store* and i have conducted "experiments" to see if this fish will mix with that one lol... its deffenitly effective! lol.... but if you decide to go back the tetra road... wich is a bumpy road... but let me know i have a couple plattys due to pop soon... i wouldnt mind letting you have some babies if you wanted... wich reminds me i gotta get our baby tank set back up :main_rolleyes:

i used to be located in Jay... just moved to Peru about a month ago... still in Jay often though... must seem good to have a pet store up there now eh? i just made it in there today... much smaller than the store in LF... but not a bad lil set up :main_thumbsup:

 

[98XJSport]

Yeah it is, especially with owners I already know and like. Thats the only thing the new store needs is space, especially when it gets busy in there.

I think Im going to hold off on fish for now, if I set it back up I think it will get a pair of cresteds. Or maybe Ill try fish again. Undecided and I really have enough pets to worry about as it is lol.

Thanks for all the advice.