Fish that would be okay alone in a 20 gal?

[MrsMolly]

We got our new 20-gallon set up and cycled. I put a piece of driftwood and a couple plants in there. My husband thinks that since our 55-gallon is going to be densely planted an full of small fish, the 20-gallon should have minimal decor and one or two larger fish. What can we get that's pretty and good alone or in a pair?

[Lady Hobbs]

How about a puffer?

[MrJim]

Is it a 20 tall or 20 long?

[ddavis1979]

20 gals does tend to limit the size of fish.

Your Rainbow sharks are Red Tail sharks are good loners but typically need 3-4 feet of area to patrol, maybe able to get away with this in a 20 long, and still have room for a few tank mates.

All gourami's are good solo fish.

Some African Cichlids are good solo fish.

Its a bit cliche, but all bettas are good solo fish, and I like the half moons.

You might be able to get away with a pair of angel fish in a 20 tall.

Also if you wanted to do a cold water tank, there are plenty of fancy goldfish to choose from that do very well alone.

And as Hobbs said, Puffer fish :)

[imma24]

20 gals does tend to limit the size of fish.

Your Rainbow sharks are Red Tail sharks are good loners but typically need 3-4 feet of area to patrol, maybe able to get away with this in a 20 long, and still have room for a few tank mates.

All gourami's are good solo fish.

Some African Cichlids are good solo fish.

Its a bit cliche, but all bettas are good solo fish, and I like the half moons.

You might be able to get away with a pair of angel fish in a 20 tall.

Also if you wanted to do a cold water tank, there are plenty of fancy goldfish to choose from that do very well alone.

And as Hobbs said, Puffer fish :)

Uhhh, I hate to disagree with the above - red tailed sharks in no way belong in a tank that small considering how large they potentially get

Angelfish fit into the same category - even for 1 of them.

Fancy goldfish need either very large tanks or ponds due to their potential size as well.

I agree on a betta or puffer.

[Cliff]

+1 to Andreahp

Also, have you consider a larger sized school of some of the smaller tetras?

Sometimes large schools can be just as interesting to watch as one or two larger fish

[fishmommie]

something that might be fun in the 20 would be either a long finned betta of some type or a paradise fish (gorgeous but mean so better alone) and toss in a fancy fresh water cray fish for movement on the bottom. They come in blue and white and red and orange. I'd go with the smaller variety. Very interesting creatures. Just don't put snails in the tank with them unless you want them eaten :o(

If you go with the betta, keep the current down, float some hornwort and it would be gorgeous.

One more option - betta and a school of 6 pigmy corys and a couple of colorful mystery or nerits snails.

[Cermet]

Fishmommie's idea for a Paradise fish is good - these are cool water "tropicals" (61 - 75 F) and are very attractive fish that do best alone; could have a small school of of Emerald catfish that can tolerate down to 72 F for clean up crew.

[MCHRKiller]

A solo domestic Angelfish would be fine in a 20G tall...many breeders use 20Hs or 29s to house their breeding pairs the fish do fine in these conditions. A fantail goldfish also would not be a terrible choice for a 20G...especially a long tank as these tend to not grow as large as say an Oranda or single tailed fish. Most fantails grow to around 4" occasionally you will find a pond kept fish up to around 6". Do keep in mind that a 20G would be a minimum sized tank for a single fantail, so very efficient filtration and waterchanges would be necessary. My SO has kept a fantail in a 20G high for 12 years the fish is about 4.5"...and appears quite content despite living in total clown puke aquascape

[Lady Hobbs]

Also agree with Andrea. You mentioned one fish but if you would consider more than one, you could have a shellie tank with a few Tang cichlids.

Or an all neon or cardinal tank.