Dwarf Rainbowfish in a 36" x 20"?

[ArmandoNvs]

Trying to find out if I can keep 6 dwarf rainbowfish (Praecox) happy in a 36" x 20" tank?

I don't have a 4ft tank but I don't want them to be stunted or miserable so if this tank is too small for a small school (6) I'll choose another fish.

Thanks in advance!

Edited November 14, 2023 by ArmandoNvs

[AllFishNoBrakes]

Mine started in a 29 gallon tank before being moved to a 55. I personally would do it in a 3’ tank if that was my option. 

[mynameisnobody]

@ArmandoNvs you can, but I wouldn’t. They zip around a ton so a 4’ tank would be fully used and appreciated. If you want to stick with rainbow fish, you can comfortably add Pseudomugil’s. They’re all pretty and their sparring dances are incredible. Pseudomugil mellis is pretty rare and expensive, but is gorgeous. 

[Andy's Fish Den]

I have kept praecox rainbows from 1" fry to adult and spawned those fish in a 40 breeder, and I would say that there have o been any issues because it is a three foot tank. All my tanks except a couple with Tanganyikan cichlids have plants, ands I think that it helps rainbows with plants, they're more secure and show better colors in a planted tank.