On this page, you’ll find ten great centerpiece fish for a 20 gallon tank that will add color and interest to any aquarium. Best of all, most of these fish are hardy and can thrive in a variety of water conditions, making them perfect for both beginners and experts alike.
Centerpiece Fish for a 20 Gallon Tank
Dwarf Cichlid
Dwarf cichlids (Buy Online) are a popular choice for a centerpiece fish for a 20-gallon tank. These beautiful fish are relatively easy to care for and have a relatively peaceful temperament, making it an ideal choice for novice fishkeepers.
Dwarf Cichlids come in a wide range of colors, including black, gold, and blue, and are known for their vivid patterns and iridescent scales.
In addition, this species is a carnivore, so it is also important to supplement a Dwarf Cichlid’s diet with high-quality protein sources like frozen shrimp or bloodworms. And with proper care and attention, a Dwarf Cichlid can thrive in your 20-gallon tank for years to come.
Dwarf Gourami
Dwarf Gouramis (Buy Online) are a popular choice for aquariums because of their bright colors and peaceful nature. These hardy fish can live in a variety of water conditions and do well in both community tanks and single-species tanks.
These fish are relatively small, maxing out at 2 inches, so they do not need much space. A 20-gallon tank is the minimum aquarium size recommended for Dwarf Gouramis, making them a great choice if you don’t have a lot of room for a fish tank.
Dwarf Gouramis are typically peaceful fish, but they can be aggressive towards other Dwarf Gouramis, so it is best to keep only one Dwarf Gourami per tank.
Overall, Dwarf Gouramis are brightly colored, easy to care for fish that make a great centerpiece fish in any aquarium.
Kribensis Cichlid
The Kribensis Cichlid (Buy Online) is a popular choice for aquarists looking to add a centerpiece fish to their 20 gallon tank. With its striking black, red, and yellow colors, this fish is beautiful and easy to care for, making them perfect for new fish keepers.
Kribensis Cichlids are generally considered good community fish, and they are prolific egg layers, making them an excellent choice for beginners who want to experience the excitement of breeding fish.
In terms of diet and water conditions, Kribensis Cichlids are omnivores that prefer temperatures between 72-82° F and a pH between 6.0-8.0. And with proper care and attention, your Kribensis cichlid can grow up to 4 inches in size, making it an ideal focal point in a 20-gallon aquarium.
So if you are looking for a stunning centerpiece fish for your 20 gallon tank, look no further than the Kribensis cichlid.
Betta Fish
Betta fish (Buy Online) are a popular centerpiece fish for a 20 gallon tank. They are known for their peaceful temperament, beautiful colors, and easy care requirements, and these vibrant little fish make an ideal addition to any home aquarium.
Betta fish are available in a wide range of colors and forms, including blue, red, yellow, purple, pink, green, and GloFish varieties.
To ensure optimal health and longevity, Betta fish require warm water temperatures between 75-86 degrees Fahrenheit, along with low levels of alkalinity (KH) and acidity (pH). And with proper care and attention, Betta fish can thrive in even the smallest tanks and make a fantastic focal point that will delight aquarium lovers of all ages.
Peacock Goby
Peacock gobies (Buy Online) are small, peaceful fish that make a great addition to any 20 gallon tank since they are easy to care for and will add color and interest to your aquarium. They are bottom-dwellers and do best in tanks with plenty of hiding places, and live plants are a great way to provide both cover and food for Peacock gobies.
Peacock gobies typically reach a size of 1.5 – 2 inches but can grow up to 3 inches. And they are very hardy fish and can tolerate a wide range of water conditions, and they prefer water that is 72 – 79 degrees Fahrenheit, with a pH of 6.5 – 7.5.
Killifish
Killifish (Buy Online) are an excellent choice for anyone looking for a beautiful and easy-to-care-for centerpiece fish for their 20 gallon tank. These small and colorful fish are peaceful, making them great additions to any home aquarium.
Killifish come in a wide range of colors, including blue, red, tan, and yellow, and they can grow to a maximum size of 2.5 inches. What’s more, Killifish are also relatively easy to care for, thriving best in water conditions between 73 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit with a KH level of 5 to 8 and a pH range of 6 to 7.5.
So if you’re looking for an eye-catching focal point for your 20-gallon tank, look no further than Killifish.
Rosy Barb
The Rosy Barb (Buy Online) is a very popular fish for aquariums of all sizes, but it truly shines as a centerpiece in a 20 gallon tank. This hardy and adaptable fish is known for its bright red and yellow colors, making it a stunning addition to any aquarium.
It prefers water conditions that are on the warmer side, between 74 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit, with a level of hardness between 4 and 10 and a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. And with proper care, this fish can grow to reach up to six inches in length.
The Rosy Barb is an excellent choice whether you’re looking for an eye-catching centerpiece for your 20 gallon tank or simply want an easy-to-care-for fish for your home aquarium.
Badis
Badis (Buy Online) are popular centerpiece fish for smaller aquariums, such as a 20 gallon tank. These peaceful fish are relatively easy to care for since they are tolerant of a variety of water conditions and require only moderate levels of upkeep. In addition, due to their relatively small size of just 2-2.5 inches long, Badis are an excellent choice for anyone with a small home aquarium looking for a unique centerpiece fish that is sure to impress.
American Flagfish
The American Flagfish (Buy Online) is a popular choice as a centerpiece fish for a 20 gallon tank. This small, brightly colored fish is known for its easy care level and semi-aggressive temperament. Although it can be somewhat territorial towards other fish in its tank, the American Flagfish is generally considered an excellent choice for both beginner and experienced aquarists alike. Plus, with its striking blue, green, and red coloration, this fish makes an eye-catching addition to any aquatic ecosystem.
Bolivian Ram
The Bolivian Ram (Buy Online) is a popular choice for small aquariums due to its peaceful temperament and beautiful coloration. With a maximum size of only 3 inches, this fish is perfectly sized for most 20-gallon tanks.
To keep a Bolivian Ram healthy and happy, it is vital to provide them with an optimal environment with the proper water conditions, diet, and care level. Ideally, Bolivian Rams prefer temperatures between 72 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit, and they like soft water with a KH level between 0 and 10 and a pH between 6.5 and 7.5.
A Bolivian Rams diet should consist primarily of high-quality protein sources, such as live or frozen foods, supplemented with plant-based foods such as algae wafers.
Finally, Bolivian Rams are considered somewhat delicate expert-level fish, but with proper care, a Bolivian Ram can make an excellent centerpiece fish in a 20 gallon tank.
What Fish Do Well in a 20 Gallon Tank?
If you are looking for fish that do well in a 20 gallon tank, here are some smaller fish under 2 to 3 inches that would work well with the centerpiece fish mentioned above fish:
- Swordtail
- Molly
- Platy
- Corydoras Catfish
- Guppies
- Danios
- Barbs
- Bettas
How Many Fish Can I Put in a 20 Gallon Tank?
The number of fish you can put in a 20-gallon tank depends on the size and species of fish. For example, if you’re keeping slender fish like tetras, you could comfortably fit 20 inches worth of fish in the tank. However, for larger fish that require more space, like cichlids, you’d only be able to keep 5 to 10 inches worth of fish in the same sized tank.
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What Is The Biggest Fish You Can Put in a 20 Gallon Tank?
A 6-inch-long fish is close to the biggest fish you can put in a 20-gallon tank so that it will have enough space to move around.
Can You Put Cichlids in a 20 Gallon Tank?
Dwarf cichlids can be put in a 20-gallon tank since they are small fish and don’t require a lot of space. Of course, it’s always best to give them as much room as possible, but a 20-gallon tank will suffice.
Do your research on which species of dwarf cichlid you want to keep, as some species can be more aggressive than others and may not do well in a small tank.
