Opinions for a new fish momma?

Hi everyone!

I'm Britt, a new fish momma with pretty much no fish experience. I have kept goldfish in the past and helped my grandmother with a koi pond in my younger years. So after some research I've decided to start our adventure with a 20 gal freshwater aquarium for my autistic son. My son is turning 9 this month and fish bring him so much happiness that I decided I'd try getting him his own. I followed the pet shop ladies advice on cycling the tank and I believe I have it set up correctly. The shop has a wonderful reputation and has been in business for 20 years so hopefully she was a good resource.

With the limited choices available, I chose a male honey gourami and 3 serpae tetras to start the tank. I was hoping to get atleast 2 gourami at a time but unfortunately he was the only one left. The same with the serpae tetras. There was only 3 of them as well. I also bought a couple of hiding accessories, some fake plants and a few real plants. I'll definitely have to keep working on it to make it the ideal tank for us but I'm very happy so far. If anyone has any suggestions on what to add next or tips on taking care of the fish we have I'd love to hear everything yall have to say.

 

When you get a chance more serpae tetras would be good. They tend to be nippy in smaller groups.

 

When you get a chance more serpae tetras would be good. They tend to be nippy in smaller groups.

I couldn't agree more. I went to petco today hoping to get atleast a couple more but unfortunately they only had one and it was pretty aggressive from what the lady told me. So first chance I get I hope to get atleast 3 more.

 

Looks great! Are those Java Ferns? They need to be tied on rocks or driftwood not buried, They will rot and die if buried.

 

I couldn't agree more. I went to petco today hoping to get atleast a couple more but unfortunately they only had one and it was pretty aggressive from what the lady told me. So first chance I get I hope to get atleast 3 more.

I also took a better look at the picture of your tank. You're going to want to fill it closer to the top leaving the water line 1" below the lid.

 

Looks great! Are those Java Ferns? They need to be tied on rocks or driftwood not buried, They will rot and die if buried.

I'm honestly not sure what they are. I bought them from petco and they were labeled m. Pteropus trident. But they dont look like the Google pix I found.

I also took a better look at the picture of your tank. You're going to want to fill it closer to the top leaving the water line 1" below the lid.

Ohh I was planning on adding a mystery snail and wanted to leave him some room. Does it still need to be filled more?

 

I'm honestly not sure what they are. I bought them from petco and they were labeled m. Pteropus trident. But they dont look like the Google pix I found.

I googled that and it kinda came up java fern? See if one of them has a rhizome? That needs to not be buried.

Ohh I was planning on adding a mystery snail and wanted to leave him some room. Does it still need to be filled more?

It can be filled almost to the black part and he will have room.

 

I googled that and it kinda came up java fern? See if one of them has a rhizome? That needs to not be buried.

It can be filled almost to the black part and he will have room.

Thank you so much! I'll find some fishing string and unbury the ferns. As well as do some more research on what exactly they are. I'll also get some water started and ready to add to the tank.