20 gallon stocking.... need an addition.

[cubby]

planning the 20g out as far in advance as i can. it will feature GBRs. here is my plan so far:

20 gallon, standard tank. i have two 20 gallon filters laying around... i forget the brand as they are used when we grow out koi for the pond.. had them for a looooong time, they work well and keep the koi's water fairly clean.

2- German Blue Rams
6-8- Cories (Panda or "julii")
1- Sm. species of pleco.


i would like to get a FEW fish for the top level..... wife enjoys her glodanios.... not a big neon tetra fan. i don't want a huge school. maybe 3-5, maybe a few more depending??? i dunno..... gimme some opinions..... what do you think?

[DrNic]

rummynose or some other kind of tetra might work. You could also go with some zebra danios. Some male guppies could also add a splash of color to the tank but I'm not sure if they get along with GBRs.

[jaysee]

I would go with the pandas because they are smaller and the 20 is standard and not long. Neons do not swim at the top of the tank - they stay bottom to middle. Cardinals look like neons and stay middle to top. How about some black neons? I would do them and a pair of small killifish, and maybe a dwarf gourami.

As for a small pleco, I'm looking for one for my standard 20. BN are a good choice, cheap and relatively easy to find - they top out at 5. Starry nights are another - more expensive, better looking and topping out at 4 inches. Golden nuggets are even more expensive and top out at 4. I'll let you know what else I come up with.

[cubby]

would a betta work?

[rich311k]

I think a betta would work. Lots of tetras choices too.

[Northernguy]

These are great small plecos.
http://badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile80.html

[wolf_eyes]

lol everyone seems to forget about otos when talking about algae cleaners. Granted they are a pleco, but they stay under 2 inches and are the best algae eaters of the pleco group (IMO). You could have a small school of 3-4 in a 20

[Northernguy]

I never considered them plecos but they are catfish!
http://badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile76.html

[wolf_eyes]

I never considered them plecos but they are catfish!
http://badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile76.html
well maybe the little cousins of the plecos^_~

[smaug]

hatchet fish for the very surface are pretty cool.

[Lab_Rat]

Von rio flame tetras would make a nice addition to the tank. They do need to be kept in a school of 6+ so that would push your bioload but with vigilant maintenance it would work. Rummynose are also nice as are cherry barbs.

For the algae eater, bristlenose plecs or rubber nose plecs would work, they both stay small. Otos are the other good option and are great for planted tanks.