Active, colorful and peaceful...

teri wrote:
That is my goal for my new 20G tank. So far I have the two platys
that came from the 3 gallon tank. Since this is my first foray into
fishkeeping I also want easy and hardy guys, preferably on the smaller
side. After a lot of reading I am considering some combination of the
following:

1 or 2 more platys - I like all the colors they come in, but they do
seem to be kind of lazy and spend a lot
of time just sitting around,
golden barbs
cherry barbs
cardinal tetras
or possibly...
dwarf neon rainbows
harlequin rasboras.

Any suggestions on a good combination choosing from that list?
And which would be best to add first?
Teri
Hi,
I've really enjoyed cherry barbs, harlequins and dwarf neon rainbowfish.
Suggestion: get a school of 5, 6 of one of the smaller types of fish
(harlequins or cherry barbs) and see how things go.

Also, is the aquarium pretty well cycled? Perhaps get 2 or 3 cherry
barbs now, and 3 or 4 more in 3-4 weeks?

I think the golden barbs may be more like rosy barbs, active and on the
large side. Could be tough, though. As to cardinals, I had no success
with them the last time I tried, about 1974!

I currently do have some "dwarf" neon rainbow fish, and they're not that
small, perhaps 2.5 to 3 inches. A school of 3 or 4 would be nice in a 20
gallon. Again, build up the population slowly if possible.

I'm a bit envious that you're setting up a new aquarium. You're
considering some very nice fish; good luck!
Steve