Time

My 20 gallon freshwater tank is cycling and I was wondering if you could give me some stocking suggestions. I was trying to go with neon tetras all over and I see nothing wrong with that but I got into a different type of fish when I saw the Dwarf Gourami. I was thinking two Dwarf Gourami and as many plants as possible. What else would be good? I am also trying to "farm" java moss/another plant in this tank. The substrate is literally all rocks. I will take a picture shortly. I also want to add a blue ram or move my other one so the betta stops chasing it.

Attached Images

HNI_0079.JPG (55.6 KB, 28 views)

aquarist48

Hello. I've moved your thread to the freshwater stocking suggestions area of the forum. Personally, I wouldn't add neons to a tank until it has been established for several months. Then they need to be acclimated carefully.
Ken

Time

Yeah I wouldn't either. They are the most delicate fish while adding to your tank. I only achieved two in my 10 gal.

alicem

Live plants are great. Yes, add as many as you can, most fish will love them.
Are you wanting to add to the stocking of 2 dwarf gourami or do you want other options for the 20G with plants?
If your betta is chasing your blue ram, yes, it would be good to move it to this tank.

Is the tank 24" or 30" long?
Our FishLore profile states DGs can get territorial with other DGs...
maybe 2 would work in a longer tank?

A single dwarf gourami would be a nice centerpiece if the tank is short, then maybe add some dither fish to fill in,
with the blue ram on bottom.
We probably should have the dimensions to give you more suggestions on fish numbers or possibly other lower level additions.

I'm curious about this...could be a maintenance nightmare, or no problem at all...
Looking forward to your photos,
alicem

Time

Yes could be a maintainance nightmare actually only look a little bad but easier to clean. I am probably getting pygmy corys. It is a 20 gallon long. It looks huge to me. I will movew my ram cichild as soon as it is cycled. I am adding water from my 10 gallon water changes. I am feeding the tank for an ammonia source. My mom has pure ammonia for cleaning but I rather use fish food. I am trying to seperate he fish who bother eachother so here are the stocking plans:
1 or 2 Blue Ram(s)
1 Dwarf Gourami
3 pygmy cory
1 black neon I couldn't return
Once the tank is mature maybe some neon tetras

MissMTS

Your stocking plan looks good. It sounds like a nice group pf fish . I woud add 5 pigmy cories. They do much better in larger groups and have hardly any bioload. I agree with not adding the neons until later.

Lucy

Are you rams paired or the same gender? When I had them in my 30 they got super aggression to my DG when they paired off.

Time

I only have one ram but I don't know how to identify fish gender. I will try pairing it. My neons and guppy hang out together so when the tank is mature I might add the. Pygmy cory sound great. I found them for 3$ each at my LFS and I have really good filtration so I don't think bio load would be a problem. The betta will be much happier with less fish in the tank so once it is cycled I will add the blue ram and maybe the black neon. I will try to trade my pleco for some money off the Dwarf Gourami. I forgot to take pics.

Tony G.

your substrate looks kinda tough for the cory's soft bellies... i dont know if anyone else noticed this... thats just MO anyway
fropm pictures of your ram, it kinda looks like a female to me, thena gain, i'm no expert on them..

Time

That is huge rocks as a substrate and they could actually rest on the rock. I will buy real substrate as soon as I can. I will get it from the hardware store since it is so expensive at the LFS.

Shawnie

I would move everything from the 10 gal into the 20 gal , return the pleco, and keep the 10 gal divided for 2 bettas ...im afraid that eventually, either your betta is going to hurt/kill someone or be hurt/killed..and we know the plec needs to be rehomed

Time

We all know the plec needs to be rehomed. Hmmm 10 gallon tank all for my betta sounds great ir maybe putting plants between the dividers so no one gets jealous.

Butterfly

Here's an inexpensive and easy way to divide your tank.
Dividing a tank for bettas..fun and low cost
Carol