[Neil8888]

I need some stocking suggestions for a 20 gallon long tank. I would like to have a small school of 8-10 nano schooling fish, around 1 inch max size, that tend to school tightly on the top 1/3 of the tank. I am not a big fan of most tetra species, and I am having trouble finding good options because typically most micro fish tend to shoal more than school.

I can adjust the tank paramaters according to the species, but I would prefer a tank with low tannins, and my water has a higher PH of 7.5-8.

A few options I am currently considering:

• Glowlight Pygmy Barb / dwarf carplet / horadandia atukorali
• Emerald Eye Rasbora / rasbora dorsiocellata

Any other suggestions?

 

[Plinkploop]

Medaka would work. So would least killi. Most micro rasbora/ danio though ph might be a little high.

 

[Freshfishguy]

They might be a bit larger than what you're looking for but I highly recommend forktail/furcata rainbow fish. Extremely personable and cool fish. The males will harmlessly spar with each other daily in a really cool fashion where they do circles around each other. Good genetics can be a bit of an issue though, so I'd definitely recommend doing your due diligence with finding as good of a source as possible.

 

[Mr. Limpet]

The Asian Rummynose, Sawbwa resplendens, might fit the bill. They prefer a higher pH than most small tetras & rasboras.

 

[Neil8888]

Thanks for the suggestions! On a related note, does anyone know of a good website that regularly has smaller / more niche fish in stock? (if LFS can't order in). I live in the Midwest, USA.

I always find myself doing tons of research and finding the perfect fish, and then I can never find a good place to order them.

 

[little2fishy]

Unfortunately I don't have any good species recommendation. I do want to point out that many times schooling fish won't school as tightly as people would hope once they acclimate and settle in a tank. Just something to keep in mind regardless of what species you end up getting. I hope to see some pictures once you do get everything done 📷

 

[Neil8888]

Unfortunately I don't have any good species recommendation. I do want to point out that many times schooling fish won't school as tightly as people would hope once they acclimate and settle in a tank. Just something to keep in mind regardless of what species you end up getting. I hope to see some pictures once you do get everything done 📷

Yeah, it is very frustrating. I wish those little guys were easier to train 😂

Side note, I used to have a group of 5 Glowlight Pygmy Barbs in a 10 gallon, obviously not an ideal schooling setup, but those little fish were the best little schoolers I have ever seen. They always schooled very tightly even though their only tankmates were snails and shrimp. I have been trying to get them again, but having no luck, which is partially why I asked for suggestions. Anyway, great little fish!