Stocking ideas: what fish for your 15-20 gallons Fishtank?

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Aquarium stocking ideas: what fish for 15-20 gallons fishtank?

The 15 and 20 gallons fishtank is known as a beginners tank. Besides the Nano-Cubes it is one of the smallest fishtanks available and at the same time also the best-selling tank size. No wonder, after all, you will certainly find a free space for such a small aquarium and it also does less work. But exactly with this thought one is quickly mistaken. Because this small fishtank leads in relation to the larger pedants to clearly more work. It gets dirty much faster, the filters have to be cleaned much more often and furthermore such a small tank forgives much less beginners-mistakes. In many cases, even small amounts of pollutants that are fed into the fishtank can lead to the death of the fish. So it is a fallacy to believe that it is easier to maintain a small tank. The 15 and 20 gallons fishtank is one of the smallest tanks suitable for fish. Of course, the choice of fish is somewhat limited by their size. Besides small Rasboras and some Tetra species, it offers space for small Cichlids and Gourami fish. To make sure that you do not make any mistakes in stocking of your 15 to 20 gallons fishtank, after you have set up your fishtank, we show you in the following article what fish fit in your fishtank.

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What fish for a 15-20 gallons tank?

In general, only small fish species and only a very limited number of them fit into a rather small tank like a 15-20 gallons aquarium. The following popular species can be kept in a such a small-sized tank:

  • Cardinal Tetra and other small tetra species
  • Cichlids
  • Harlequin Rasbora and other small Rasboras
  • Honey Gouramis and other dwarf Gourami species
  • Bettas (siamese fighting fish)
  • Fancy Guppies
  • Shrimps, like the Amano shrimp, Red Fire shrimp, tiger shrimp
  • and many more you can find in this article

South american stocking ideas for 15-20 gallons fishtanks:

South America: Angel Ram cichlids

The Eyecatcher: 1 pair (m/f) of

  • Angel Ram cichlids (Microgeophagus ramirezi) or
  • Electric Blue Ram or
  • German Blue Ram

The swarm: 8-12 animals of one Tetra species. The following species fit particularly well in a 15-20 gallons fishtank because they are peaceful and small:

  • Cardinal Tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi) or
  • Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae) or
  • Rosy Tetra (Hyphessobrycon rosaceus) or
  • Flame Tetra (Hyphessobrycon flammeus) or
  • Glowlight Tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus)

On the tank-ground: 6-8 dwarf Corydoras Catfish (Corydoras pygmaeus). These Catfish are available in many different breeding forms, such as

  • Panda Corydoras Catfish
  • Albino Corydoras Catfish
  • Skunk Corydoras Catfish
  • and many more.

South America: Apistogramma Borelli opal

The Eyecatcher: 1 pair of Apistogramma Borelli opal (Umbrella cichlids)

The swarm: 8-12 animals of one Tetra species. The following species fit particularly well in a 15-20 gallons fishtank because they are peaceful and small:

  • Cardinal Tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi) or
  • Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae) or
  • Rosy Tetra (Hyphessobrycon rosaceus) or
  • Flame Tetra (Hyphessobrycon flammeus) or
  • Glowlight Tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus)

On the tank-ground: 6-8 dwarf Corydoras Catfish (Corydoras pygmaeus). These Catfish are available in many different breeding forms, such as

  • Panda Corydoras Catfish
  • Albino Corydoras Catfish
  • Skunk Corydoras Catfish
  • and many more.

South America: Yellow Dwarf Cichlid

The Eyecatcher: 1 pair (m/f) of yellow dwarf cichlid (Apistogramma borellii)

The swarm: 8-12 animals of one Tetra species. The following species fit particularly well in a 15-20 gallons fishtank because they are peaceful and small:

  • Cardinal Tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi) or
  • Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae) or
  • Rosy Tetra (Hyphessobrycon rosaceus) or
  • Flame Tetra (Hyphessobrycon flammeus) or
  • Glowlight Tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus)

On the tank-ground: 6-8 dwarf Corydoras Catfish (Corydoras pygmaeus). These Catfish are available in many different breeding forms, such as

  • Panda Corydoras Catfish
  • Albino Corydoras Catfish
  • Skunk Corydoras Catfish
  • and many more.

South America: Endler Guppies (livebearer)

The Eyecatcher: 2m+3w Endler Guppies (Poecilia wingei)

For socialization you have two options: You can take swarm fish or ground-level species

The swarm: 8-12 animals of one Tetra species. The following species fit particularly well in a 15-20 gallons fishtank because they are peaceful and small

  • Cardinal Tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi) or
  • Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae) or
  • Rosy Tetra (Hyphessobrycon rosaceus) or
  • Flame Tetra (Hyphessobrycon flammeus) or
  • Glowlight Tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus)

Or ground-level species: 6-8 dwarf Corydoras Catfish (Corydoras pygmaeus). These Catfish are available in many different breeding forms, such as

  • Panda Corydoras Catfish
  • Albino Corydoras Catfish
  • Skunk Corydoras Catfish
  • and many more.

(Southeast) Asia stocking ideas for 15-20 gallons fishtank:

Southeast Asia: Honey Gourami

The Eyecatcher: 1 pair (m/f) of Honey Gourami (Trichogaster chuna)

The swarm: 8-12 animals of a species of Rasboras. The following species fit particularly well in a 15-20 gallons aquarium because they are peaceful and small:

  • Lambchop rasbora (Trigonostigma espei) or
  • Glowlight rasbora (Trigonostigma hengeli) or
  • Harlequin rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorpha) or
  • Least rasbora (Boraras urophthalmoides) or
  • Dwarf rasbora (Boraras maculatus)
  • Boraras brigittae (Boraras brigittae) or
  • Boraras merah (Boraras merah) or
  • Red Dwarf rasbora (Microrasbora rubescens)

On the ground: 8-12 invertebrates such as

  • Red Fire shrimp (Neocaridina davidi var. Red) or
  • Tiger shrimp (Caridina sp.'Tiger') or
  • Cherry shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) or
  • the classic Amano shrimp (Caridina multidentata)

Southeast Asia: Dwarf Gourami

The Eyecatcher: 1 pair (m/f) of

  • Dwarf Gourami (Trichogaster lalius) or
  • Red Dwarf Gourami (Trichogaster lalius var. red) or
  • Sparkling gourami (Trichopsis pumila)

The swarm: 8-12 animals of a species of Rasboras. The following species fit particularly well in a 15-20 gallons aquarium because they are peaceful and small:

  • Lambchop rasbora (Trigonostigma espei) or
  • Glowlight rasbora (Trigonostigma hengeli) or
  • Harlequin rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorpha) or
  • Least rasbora (Boraras urophthalmoides) or
  • Dwarf rasbora (Boraras maculatus)
  • Boraras brigittae (Boraras brigittae) or
  • Boraras merah (Boraras merah) or
  • Red Dwarf rasbora (Microrasbora rubescens)

On the ground: 8-12 invertebrates such as

  • Red Fire shrimp (Neocaridina davidi var. Red) or
  • Tiger shrimp (Caridina sp.'Tiger') or
  • Cherry shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) or
  • the classic Amano shrimp (Caridina multidentata)

Southeast Asia: Scarlet badis (Dario Dario)

The Eyecatcher: 6-8x Scarlet badis Dario (Dario Dario)

Additional stocking: a good additional fish for scarlet badis are peaceful labyrinth fish, such as

  • 1 pair (m/f) Dwarf Gourami (Trichogaster lalius) or
  • 1 pair (m/f) Red Dwarf Gourami (Trichogaster lalius var. red) or
  • 1 pair (m/f) Sparkling gourami (Trichopsis pumila)
  • 1 pair (m/f) of Honey Gourami (Trichogaster chuna)

Southeast Asia: peaceful betta

The Eyecatcher: 1m -1w peaceful betta or crescent betta(Betta imbellis)

The swarm: 8-12 animals of a species of Rasboras. The following species fit particularly well in a 15-20 gallons aquarium because they are peaceful and small:

  • Lambchop rasbora (Trigonostigma espei) or
  • Glowlight rasbora (Trigonostigma hengeli) or
  • Harlequin rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorpha) or
  • Least rasbora (Boraras urophthalmoides) or
  • Dwarf rasbora (Boraras maculatus)
  • Boraras brigittae (Boraras brigittae) or
  • Boraras merah (Boraras merah) or
  • Red Dwarf rasbora (Microrasbora rubescens)

On the ground: 8-12 invertebrates such as

  • Red Fire shrimp (Neocaridina davidi var. Red) or
  • Tiger shrimp (Caridina sp.'Tiger') or
  • Cherry shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) or
  • the classic Amano shrimp (Caridina multidentata)

Community tank stocking idea for a 15-20 gallon aquarium:

Community tank: The Platy Aquarium

The Eyecatcher: 2m - 4w Platys (Parrot Platy, Red Platy, Coral Platy, Red Diamond Platy)

The Swarm: 8-12 animals of one Tetra or rasbora species. The following species fit particularly well in a 15-20 gallons fishtank because they are peaceful and small:

  • Cardinal Tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi) or
  • Dwarf rasbora (Boraras maculatus)
  • Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae) or
  • Lambchop rasbora (Trigonostigma espei) or
  • Flame Tetra (Hyphessobrycon flammeus) or
  • Harlequin rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorpha) or
  • Glowlight Tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus)
  • Least rasbora (Boraras urophthalmoides) or
  • Boraras brigittae (Boraras brigittae) or
  • all other tetras and rasboras mentioned in the guide.

Or you can choose ground-level species instead of swarm fish: 6-8 dwarf Corydoras Catfish (Corydoras pygmaeus). These Catfish are available in many different breeding forms, such as

  • Panda Corydoras Catfish
  • Albino Corydoras Catfish
  • Skunk Corydoras Catfish
  • and many more.

Community tank: The cichlide tank

The Eyecatcher: 1 pair (m/f) of

  • Angel Ram cichlids (Microgeophagus ramirezi) or
  • Electric Blue Ram or
  • Apistogramma Borelli opal (Umbrella cichlids) or
  • yellow dwarf cichlid (Apistogramma borellii)

The Swarm: 8-12 animals of one Tetra or rasbora species. The following species fit particularly well in a 15-20 gallons fishtank because they are peaceful and small:

  • Cardinal Tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi) or
  • Dwarf rasbora (Boraras maculatus)
  • Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae) or
  • Lambchop rasbora (Trigonostigma espei) or
  • Flame Tetra (Hyphessobrycon flammeus) or
  • Harlequin rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorpha) or
  • Glowlight Tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus)
  • Least rasbora (Boraras urophthalmoides) or
  • Boraras brigittae (Boraras brigittae) or
  • all other tetras and rasboras mentioned in the guide.

On the ground: 6-8 dwarf Corydoras Catfish (Corydoras pygmaeus). These Catfish are available in many different breeding forms, such as

  • Panda Corydoras Catfish
  • Albino Corydoras Catfish
  • Skunk Corydoras Catfish
  • and many more.

Community tank: Microrasboras Galaxy

The Eyecatcher: 10x Microrasboras Galaxy (Danio margaritatus)

Additional stocking: 6-8 dwarf Corydoras Catfish (Corydoras pygmaeus). These Catfish are available in many different breeding forms, such as

  • Panda Corydoras Catfish
  • Albino Corydoras Catfish
  • Skunk Corydoras Catfish
  • and many more.

Community tank: Guppys (livebearer)

The Eyecatcher: 2m - 4w

  • Endlers Guppy (Poecilia wingei) or
  • Flamingo Guppy (Poecilia reticulata var. Flamingo) or
  • Guppy (Poecilia reticulata)

The Swarm: 8-12 animals of one Tetra or rasbora species. The following species fit particularly well in a 15-20 gallons fishtank because they are peaceful and small:

  • Cardinal Tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi) or
  • Dwarf rasbora (Boraras maculatus)
  • Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae) or
  • Lambchop rasbora (Trigonostigma espei) or
  • Flame Tetra (Hyphessobrycon flammeus) or
  • Harlequin rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorpha) or
  • Glowlight Tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus)
  • Least rasbora (Boraras urophthalmoides) or
  • Boraras brigittae (Boraras brigittae) or
  • all other tetras and rasboras mentioned in the guide.

Or you can choose ground-level species instead of swarm fish: 6-8 dwarf Corydoras Catfish (Corydoras pygmaeus). These Catfish are available in many different breeding forms, such as

  • Panda Corydoras Catfish
  • Albino Corydoras Catfish
  • Skunk Corydoras Catfish
  • and many more.

Community pool: dwarf puffer

The Eyecatcher: 1m - 1w dwarf pufferfish (Carinotetraodon travancoricus)

The swarm: 8-12 animals of a species of Rasboras. The following species fit particularly well in a 15-20 gallons aquarium because they are peaceful and small:

  • Lambchop rasbora (Trigonostigma espei) or
  • Glowlight rasbora (Trigonostigma hengeli) or
  • Harlequin rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorpha) or
  • Least rasbora (Boraras urophthalmoides) or
  • Dwarf rasbora (Boraras maculatus)
  • Boraras brigittae (Boraras brigittae) or
  • Boraras merah (Boraras merah) or
  • Red Dwarf rasbora (Microrasbora rubescens)

At all costs snails, e.g. Tarebia granifera 20-30 pieces

Stocking ideas: what fish for your 15-20 gallons Fishtank?

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