High Density Fish Stocking For School Club

[EmmaFish]

Hi!

I started an aquarium club at my school, and our first official tank is a 20 gallon tall. I was wondering if there was a fish that lived in large numbers in the wild, that would do well in the tank. I was thinking some fish that are not shy, perhaps shellie cichlids, zebra danios, but some fish that was interesting to watch and aesthetically pleasing. If you have any suggestions, please let me know! 

-Our water is medium-soft with a pH of 7.0, and ideally they would have to be somewhat hardy, especially on the weekends.

[Solstice_Lacer]

A group of zebra danios would be fun, or other similar danios like pearl, leopard, or kyathit danios. 

Is the tank going to be heated? If so, your water would be good for a lot of tropical/subtropical schooling fish like tetras and rasboras.

If temps are lower danios would probably be a better choice. 

White cloud mountain minnows would also be an option. Or Japanese rice fish.

Also variatus platies or guppies or endlers, though they technically prefer hardish water, they could do well at neutral. They are also live bearers, so babies are likely to happen. That might be fun for you or it might be a hassle.

You could also consider a (neocaridina) shrimp tank. There are lots of colors available and they are low maintenance and hardy. Fun to watch in their own way. And will probably breed, but it won't overwhelm the tank with as much bio load as fish.

[David W]

Maybe consider a school of white clouds. Not the glamorous sounding, but the behavior is really fun to watch. They are very hardy and you don't really need a heater. 

They can be fun and easy breeding project as well.

[Guppysnail]

Of course I’ll say guppies.  In my personal experience they are happier in a bit of a denser population.  Super easy breeding project. Get a few colors to start and pattern/color combos are unlimited.  You only need a few to get started and in a month or two your entire tank is populated with easy care fry you can raise yourself and watch grow. Beautiful interactive personality easy care. (I of course would throw in some mystery Snails as well 😁) your club can make a bit of funds if you sell excess Add wondershells to harden up the water a touch. 

Edited October 8, 2021 by Guppysnail

[lefty o]

guppy's go with anything, and do well in large groups. also the zerba and leopard danios, and neon tetras, cardinal tetra's, ember tetras, etc , etc, etc. many choices that will do well in large groups in a 20 gallon tank.

[Torrey]

On 10/8/2021 at 10:03 AM, EmmaFish said:

Hi!

I started an aquarium club at my school, and our first official tank is a 20 gallon tall. I was wondering if there was a fish that lived in large numbers in the wild, that would do well in the tank. I was thinking some fish that are not shy, perhaps shellie cichlids, zebra danios, but some fish that was interesting to watch and aesthetically pleasing. If you have any suggestions, please let me know! 

-Our water is medium-soft with a pH of 7.0, and ideally they would have to be somewhat hardy, especially on the weekends.

Zebra danios are great school fish, and can do double duty as a science experiment. 

There's even a program that the school can look at, that would provide you with adult zebra danios and the resources to breed, as a genetics lesson. 

You can find out about keeping some of the fry.