CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

Okay. Someone has asked me to do research on fish because she plans to have some. I want to know, what fish would best fit in a 20 gallon tank and is freshwater? I was thinking cardinal tetras and angel fish can you add anything to that list or telll me if that list will be okay?

Like to know,
Hannah

A pair of firemouths 'or' a pair of convicts, or maybe some small africans...

How new to the hobby is the person. Neon's, guppys, tiger barbs are good for a novice to cut there teeth on. I stay away from angels myself, had to many problems with them Between fin nipping, water currents, etc etc.

This person is a novice yes and has no clue how to take care of them she wants them in her home but she needs someone to take care of that so she has asked me(odd huh?) anyway, okay i'll look into those tiger barbs funny that never came into my mind compared to all the other fish i have thought of. I'll have more to come later.
Hannah

Sounds like to me she needs a low maintence type community tank. If you go with barbs, they do best in sets of 6 or more. If you only get two, or three, they can be pretty aggressive to each other.

I have two different types of rams and just love them- they have some beautiful colors. Another easy fish family is rainbow; there are many different sizes and colors. I have a pair of dwarf and four larger rainbows and they are all very colorful- not when they are young but when they get older.

I don't know anything about Rainbows, but I would strongly advise the beginner away from the Ram, as if you don't have the right kind of tap water to start with the fish will live a stressed life (Ram's require some fairly specific water conditions). Add to this the fact that a Ram demands very clean, well filtered water, and you have a fish that is rather unsuited for the beginner.