20 gallon tropical fish?

Question

I am looking into buying a 20 gallon aquarium, but am having trouble deciding on a fish. I'd like something brightly colored and tropical, that I could have one or two of. I've kept tanks before, and currently have a healthy molly tank.

I was considering maybe a discus. Would a pair be comfortable in a 20 gal? How hardy are they, do they have any special requiements, for food or otherwise? Are they plant safe? I'm also not interested in fry, so should I be careful to get two of the same gender or are they difficult enough to breed that I shouldn't have a problem?

Or is there another species that you reccomend? Or even a combination that you particlarly like?

Answer 1

Your not going to be able to keep Discus in a 20 gallon aquarium as they need a 50 gallon minimum to be happy.

If you want something colorful maybe consider one of the ram cichlids (blue, Gold, or Bolivian) The Blues are fairly hard to keep and are not for beginners but if you have kept fish before you shouldn't have a problem. They are also community fish so you can add many other types of fish

Answer 2

i dont know about discus, according to other answers, i guess thats not going to work. try three or maby four gourami they are beautiful with cool personalities. they are difficult to breed, but get eather only one gender or three females to every male. they are bubbleblowers, like bettas, and breathe air like bettas also. they eat just about anything. mine will eat my otos' cucumber, and algae wafers. but also loves the freeze dried brine shrimp, and bloodworms that i give her, plus she also eats color enchanceing flkes. gouramis for the most part are gentle. they can be kept alone, but like to be in small schools of three or four better.  i have one opaline gourami, three guppies, and two otos. its a beautiful combination.  you should try this!!

Answer 3

Absolutely not!! I am not telling you this to be a b#$%@. Discus cannot survive in a 20 gallon tank. They normally will grow up to 6" in diameter. It is best to keep them in a minimum tank of 55 gallons, where you could keep only 3-4 of them. For new discus keepers, keep them in a bare tank, no substrate, no plants, you can have a couple of deco's in the tank. They require temperatures of about 84-86 degrees, they prefer a lower pH and GH, although many are acclimated to higher levels. They are NOT recommended for any beginner and are pretty difficult to care for. They require optimum water quality at all times, and should usually be kept in a species only tank. They like foods higher in protein such as blood worms, beef heart, brine shrimp, but feeding them a normal pellet food made for cichlids is a must. You should also supplement their diet with spirulina. Discus should actually be kept in groups of 4 or more, because they can be aggressive towards other discus. So I have to say no to buying discus, unless you are willing to buy a larger tank, and put in the time and effort for caring for this delicate species. I don't think you want to waste $40+ on fish that you can't properly care for.

For a 20 gallon however, if you want to keep cichlids, I would recommend bolivian rams or german blue rams. However blue rams also require prime water conditions, so no over stocking the tank and doing regular maintanence is a must. Rams LOVE planted tanks, and can thrive in them. Best to keep a ratio of 1 male to 1 or 2 females, but in a 20 gallon no more than that. Feed them a good diet of flake and pellet foods, and they require temperatures of about 84 degrees. They are a fish that is good if you want a challenge. They are not super hardy and also like discus, take alot of time and effort in maintaining good condtitions for them to thrive, and are definitely not recommended for a beginner either. But they only get to about 3", which is more suited for a 20 gallon tank. Once you get them established, you can also get a school of tetras, something like neons or cardinals.

Answer 4

You could always keep 1 betta fish or maybe about 3 female betta's with tons of plants and places for them to hide! But 1 would thrive to have a nice 20 gallon! But you'd also need a heater if you decide on the Betta! They are Tropical Fish and like it about 76-80 degrees! Before you buy any fish research on them first! And bettas are very easy to take care of, also! But the tank might be a pain to clean. If I were you, I'd go with the betta!