stocking a 20 gallon long - looking for inspiration

[gheitman]

I am rescaping a 20 gallon long tank almost from scratch and am looking for suggestions/inspiration. It has Onyx Sand as the substrate, a dual-tube T-5 light fixture, a sponge filter and will be planted. Beyond those parameters I'm open to almost anything. Right now I'm considering a tank of dwarf rainbowfish such as fork-tailed and/or featherfins since our water is naturally hard. I'm also considering setting it up with some checkerboard cichlids since our LFS just got some in and I can buffer the water to make it softer. I already have an Asian biotope tank with a pearl gourami, some harlequin rasboras (3 male and 2 female) and a pair of zebra loaches. I have another tank that is a South American community with rummynose tetras now and soon will have some Sterbai corys and bristlenose plecos. I also have three tanks of Tanganyikan shell-dwellers so that is covered. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[rich311k]

I like the small rainbow idea. They are some pretty fish. Dwarf cichlids come to mind, a planted 20 long is perfect for a trio.

 

[Purrbox]

I'd probably go with small rainbows (like Gertrude's Rainbow, Threadfin Rainbow, and Dwarf Neon Blue Rainbow) or a breeding tank for Dwarf Cories.

 

[gheitman]

I like the small rainbow idea. They are some pretty fish. Dwarf cichlids come to mind, a planted 20 long is perfect for a trio.

I've had several species of apistos in the past and have even bred A. baenschi in this tank. I plan to get a pair of of A. bitaeniata as the centerpiece for my newly setup 29 gallon tank. I definitely like dwarf cichlids from almost any region. I'm looking for something different though which is why I am considering the rainbowfishes.