Cookie Cutter Setups for 20-gallons (long)
(30x12x12 in / 76x30x30 cm)
by the CF Moderators
20 gallon aquariums are a fun size. They are small enough to fit on desktops and entertainment centers, but just large enough to house some pretty interesting species, including shelldwellers, rock-dwelling tanganyikans, kribs, apistos, a few of the more peaceful mbuna, convicts, and some of the dwarf south american cichlids.
Keep in mind that 20 gallons is still quite small. Many people have a tendency to pack small aquariums with lots of fish despite their reduced size. This can be problematic because the bio-load may be too much for the small volume of water and degree of filtration. In this situation things can go wrong very quickly. While certainly many more options exist for a 20 gallon Long, we strongly recommend that the beginner not venture beyond these suggested fishes (and numbers). This is particularly true for the Malawi cichlids. And note that a "pair" refers to a group of male and female, not two unsexed individuals.
A reliable heater is an important investment for smaller aquariums. The water temperature can fluctuate much more easily with small volumes. Stability is important for happy and healthy cichlids.
All of these fishes will feel most comfortable if provided with a fine, sandy substrate. The color does not matter too much, but a natural color is preferred. Shells are necessary for the shell dwelling lamprogines. Rocky crevices or ceramic caves are recommended for the julies, leleupi, and apistos. All of these species are egg-layers with the exception of the mbuna from Lake Malawi.
Filtration may be very simple. A small hang-on-tank power filter is what we recommend, something such as the Emperor 280, AquaClear 200, Penguin 170, or Eheim Liberty 150 or 200. A bio-wheel is a plus. Submersible filters are fine, but keep in mind that they take up valuable space where space is already on short supply.
Only Apistos and those species from West Africa and Lake Tanganyika are "plant friendly." The others are serious diggers and/or plant grazers.
Shell Dweller Aquarium
Tanganyika Mini-Community
West African Aquarium
Central American Aquarium
South American Aquarium
(30x12x12 in / 76x30x30 cm)
by the CF Moderators
20 gallon aquariums are a fun size. They are small enough to fit on desktops and entertainment centers, but just large enough to house some pretty interesting species, including shelldwellers, rock-dwelling tanganyikans, kribs, apistos, a few of the more peaceful mbuna, convicts, and some of the dwarf south american cichlids.
Keep in mind that 20 gallons is still quite small. Many people have a tendency to pack small aquariums with lots of fish despite their reduced size. This can be problematic because the bio-load may be too much for the small volume of water and degree of filtration. In this situation things can go wrong very quickly. While certainly many more options exist for a 20 gallon Long, we strongly recommend that the beginner not venture beyond these suggested fishes (and numbers). This is particularly true for the Malawi cichlids. And note that a "pair" refers to a group of male and female, not two unsexed individuals.
A reliable heater is an important investment for smaller aquariums. The water temperature can fluctuate much more easily with small volumes. Stability is important for happy and healthy cichlids.
All of these fishes will feel most comfortable if provided with a fine, sandy substrate. The color does not matter too much, but a natural color is preferred. Shells are necessary for the shell dwelling lamprogines. Rocky crevices or ceramic caves are recommended for the julies, leleupi, and apistos. All of these species are egg-layers with the exception of the mbuna from Lake Malawi.
Filtration may be very simple. A small hang-on-tank power filter is what we recommend, something such as the Emperor 280, AquaClear 200, Penguin 170, or Eheim Liberty 150 or 200. A bio-wheel is a plus. Submersible filters are fine, but keep in mind that they take up valuable space where space is already on short supply.
Only Apistos and those species from West Africa and Lake Tanganyika are "plant friendly." The others are serious diggers and/or plant grazers.
Shell Dweller Aquarium
'Lamprologus' brevis - 1 pair 'Lamprologus' stappersii - trio Ancistrus temminckii "Bristlenose Pleco" - 1 |
'Lamprologus' multifasciatus - 5 Brachydanio rerio "Zebra Danio" - 3 Ancistrus temminckii "Bristlenose Pleco" - 1 |
Pick two: Alto.sp. "Compressiceps Shell"- 1 pair 'Lamprologus' caudopunctatus - 1 pair 'Lamprologus' similis - 1 trio |
Tanganyika Mini-Community
Julidochromis regani - 1 pair Neolamprologus leleupi - 1 pair 'Lamprologus' occelatus - 1 trio |
Telmatocrhomis vittatus - 1 pair Lepidiolamprologus hecqui - 1 pair Synodontis petricola - 3 |
You could aim to have two pairs of fish. Your choice: (Works for 29gal also) Julidochromis transcriptus , Julidochromis dickfeldi , or Julidochromis ornatus Altolamprologus calvus or Altolamprologus compressiceps Chalinochromis brichardi or Chalinochromis sp. "Ndobhoi" Telmatochromis bifrenatus or Telmatochromis vittatus -OR- Altolamprologus calvus or compressiceps pair and one of: 'Lamprologus' (Shellies) brevis, multifasciatus, meleagris, ornatipinnis, ocellatus, speciosus, similis or Neolamprologus signatus Normally one would get six young individuals of these fish, and remove the balance of the fish once they have a pair. |
If you wanted three pairs (groups) of fish: 'Lamprologus' (Shellies) brevis, multifasciatus,' meleagris, ornatipinnis, ocellatus, speciosus, similis, Neolamprologus signatus or Altolamprologus sp. "Compressiceps Shell" Neolamprologus caudopunctatus (non-Shellies) Julidiochromis ornatus or transcriptus Telmatochromis bifrenatus, brichardi or vittatus |
West African Aquarium
Pelvichromis pulcher - 1 pair Synodontis nigriventris "Upside-down Cat" - 4 Nann. unitaeniatus "1-lined African Tetra" - 6 |
Steatocranus casuarius - 1 pair Arnoldichthys spilopterus "Red-eye Tetra" - 6 |
Central American Aquarium
Archocentrus nigrofasciatus - 1 pair Hyphessobrycon eques "Serpae Tetra" - 5 |
Archocentrus centrarchus - 1 pair Capoeta tetrazona "Tiger Barb" - 6 |
Archo. spilarus "Blue-eyed cichlid" - 1 pair Hyphessobrycon eques "Serpae Tetra" - 5 |
Herotilapia multispinosa "Rainbow" - 1 pair Capoeta tetrazona "Tiger Barb" - 5 |
Neetroplus Nematopus - 1 pair Ancistrus temminckii "Bristlenose Pleco" - 1 |
South American Aquarium
Apistogramma species - 1 pair Corydoras catfish - 4 Hyphessobrycon eques "Serpae Tetra" - 6-8 |
Cleithracara maronii - 1 pair Corydoras catfish - 4 Gymnocorymbus ternetzi "Black Skirt Tetra" - 3 |
Crenicichla compressiceps - 1 pair Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis "Lemon Tetra" - 6 |
Microgeophagus ramirezi - 1 pair Hemigrammus bleheri "Rummy Nose" - 6 Inpaichthys kerri "Blue Emperor" - 4 |
Gymnogeophagus australis - 1 pair -OR- Gymnogeophagus rhabdotus - 1 pair -OR- Gymnogeophagus meridionalis - 1 pair -AND- Gymno. ternetzi "Black Widow Tetra" - 6 |