20 Gallon Stocking Ideas?

[starjessie56]

I am new to this forum thing, so bear with me! I have a 20 gallon tall well established tank. most of my fish have slowly died and I never replaced them. I currently have 2 guppies, 1 Von Rio Tetra, 1 Platy, 1 Amano Shrimp, 3 corie cats, and a pleco. My tank isnt very colorful, and most of my fish are bottom dwellers. does anyone have any ideas on what to add to my tank?!

 

[Scottyhorse]

Hi and welcome to AA! Do you have any idea why your fish were dieing? If it were me, I would try an figure that out first. You don't want any other fish you might buy to die after all. If you have one, you should test with a liquid test kit. Most members on here (including myself) use the API Liquid Master Freshwater test kit.

If all is good, there are quite a few colorful options to add in. First, I would re-home the Von Rio Tetra.
I have some Gold Barbs in my tank. They are very colorful, (yellow) and they are very funny to watch. I'd add about five. If your guppies have large fins, then I wouldn't add them so there won't be a chance for the barbs to nip. Another option for a school would simply be neon tetras. You instead to cardinal tetras, rummy nose tetras, harlequin rasboras, ember tetras, etc.
A good centerpiece fish could be a Bolivian Ram or Honey Gourami.

 

[starjessie56]

I think most of them died after hurricane Nemo (ironic right) the temperature in the tank dropped to 33 degrees and a few days later a bunch died.

I use the API FW master kit and all of the levels are at 0.

I mistyped earlier... I only have one guppy left and he has a fairly short tail...

how many of each would you say to put? and should I get more guppies so they can school?

 

[Scottyhorse]

Wow that is weird..... I would add another guppy, they seem to like each others company, although they don't really 'school'.

It really depends on what fish you choose as to how many you add.