I have a 22 gallon tank which is deeper than it is longer, filter, heater and water has been in a week and everything is fine and set for fish to go in. I really like bala (silver) sharks but im getting a mixed reaction. The pet shop owners tell me its ok, i trust them as they arnt the type to try and get a sale without caring about the fish. they have actually turned us away and said no to us buying a male rabbit!! friends seem to think as long as i have alid its ok, but i am aware they grow pretty large. Also a male siamese fighter, small shoal of neon tetra and I love pleco but again they grow large, so probably some catfish. any other suggestions most welcome!

the sharks would be okay for the time being, but they will not be able to thrive in a 22 gallon forever, especially if you have a tall tank, they really like to dart around and swim fast.

because you have a tall tank i would try to get fish with three different personalities. 1- top level swimmers, mid-level swimmers and bottom level swimmers. this way you will have fish swimming around your whole aquarium and your tank will look quite lively.

if it was my tank i would get male guppies (not to mix in females because they breed like crazy, you will have tons before you know it) only male or only female mollies (again because they breed rapidly) guppies are usually top-level swimmers and are brightly colored with some beautiful patterns, they come in many different colors. Mollies also come in different colors, like anywhere from black to bright red and orange. mollies are mid-level swimmers.

i would get a few tetras- some bright colored and some silver colored species, maybe a few corydoras for bottom feeding, a khuli loach who are also bottom feeders. they look almost like eels, they are great fish. if you get neon tetras be sure to get them in a group of three or more, they are most comfortable in schools.

a small species of angel fish, i would get a pair.

angel fish- 3 inches
mollies- 2 inches
neon tetras- 1.5 inches
guppies- 1.5 inches
corydoras- 2 inches
khuli loach- 4-5 inches (but count as a 2 inch because they are so thin)

for bottom feeders it would be best to get a fine grained substrate, like coarse sand substance, pea gravel would be too large. but fine sand is too hard to work with.

thanks very much again for the advice! i have since read up about the different tier level fish, but im still not sure about bottom feeders as i have a pea gravel and without sounding lazy LOL i really dont want to change this.

pea gravel is the best tho, it is easiest to clean and replace if needed. you could get a few corys if you wanted, but you dont need bottom feeders.

when selecting your fish, be sure to pay close attention to adult size, as this is the size you need to pay attention to when following the 1 in. per gallon rule.
for example a 3 inch baby pleco does not count as 3 inches, it counts as 14 because thats what its adult size will be.

sullybaby27, could u please go to breed boards?

why?