20 Gallon Neon Rainbow tank?

[AquaCats]

I have a 20 gallon tall tank whose inhabitants will move to a 40 breeder around December. At that point, I want to convert the 20 to a Neon Rainbow species tank. I'd love a group of 8, but I've never kept rainbows before. Would 8 be too many for a 20 tall? Are they a suitable species for a 20 gallon tall aquarium? Thanks in advance for your insight.

[es31710]

They need a 30 inch tank bare minimum so I do not think they would be a good fit.

[AquaCats]

I did some research online to help support why I felt this setup would initially be okay. This is what I've found:

"It is advisable to keep these rainbow fish in a tank at least 20 inches long and ideally 20 or more gallons." from http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/Rainbowfish/DwarfRainbowfish.php

minimum 60L tank (approximately 16 gallons) from http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_praecox.php/

"Minimum aquarium size: 76 L (20 gal)" from http://en.microcosmaquariumexplorer.com/wiki/Neon_Rainbowfish

"24 inches but preferably 30 inches and up." from http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/profiles/dwarf-neon-rainbowfish/

These are the first few fish profiles that appear when googling "Neon Rainbowfish." All of these sources suggest that a 20 gallon tank would be okay for a smaller school. The tank dimensions are 24 1/4 x 12 1/2 x 16 3/4. Yes, the last source says a 30 inch or larger tank is preferable, but it also says that a 24" tank is their minimum. It doesn't seem like a 20 gallon would be completely out of the question, at least from these sources.

Thank you for your feedback. Bigger is always better, I know, but would you please expand upon your reply and explain why you find a 30" tank to be the bare minimum for this species?

[ScottishFish]

It is always better to provide fish with more than the minimum of their requirements.

So for rainbows a small school of 6-8 in a 20G, the behaviour and welfare of the fish would be miles better if there were 15+ in a 40G. Remember rainbows are a mega active species so swimming room is essential.

Another example is people say a min tank size for an oscar is 75G, however those who've kept oscars in the 75 compared to a 100+ tank can notice a big difference. In a 75G they can be supper aggressive and territorial. Then a senior respected member once told me if you keep one in a 100+ tank the same fish can turn into a big puppy.

Give the fish the most you can for them to have the best life, the better a life the fish have the better they look and their behaviour is more natural and relaxed.

[AquaCats]

Thank you, ScottishFish. I'll perhaps draft up another idea for that tank. I'll have to talk it over with my husband.

[AquaCats]

Ok, we scratched the idea and instead opted for some boesemani rainbows and some turquoise rainbows in our 55 gallon community. We were looking for something for the middle of our tank, and they have completely filled that niche. :)