Stocking 20 gallon tank

[Puffball]

Hey guys, I'm back to the aquarium hobby. I used to have a female beta sorority last year but that failed. :-( Now a few months later, I'm back. I still have a few remaining plants from back then "anubias, java fern, vals", but not that many. I want to restock my 20 gallon high tank with fish. I have a heater and Aquaclear 20 filter with extra media. Any fish suggestions? I want low maintenance, hardy fish that are also pretty too look at. I don't want to buy any more supplies other than fish, maybe more plants, and food. I'm currently starting a cycle with household ammonia.



Edit: Betta, not beta

 

[aquandrew]

beta is actually the correct term are you looking for schooling fish? a centerpiece? or just a random assortment?

 

[Puffball]

beta is actually the correct term are you looking for schooling fish? a centerpiece? or just a random assortment?

I'm thinking about of around 5 male guppies and maybe two dwarf gouramis and/or some school fish

 

[Puffball]

Also, are you sure it's not Betta? Because the species is Betta splendens and a lot of other things lead me to believe it's spelled Betta.

 

[Alyxx]

It depends a lot on which fish you like. Schooling? Semi-aggressive? Community fish? Livebearers? Do you want any breeding to occur or would you rather not deal with that?

And it is betta (pronounced bed-da) not beta (bah-tuh). And I have seen betta sororities fail - it isn't pretty. My attempt in a 20 failed too, but the one in my 56 has been pretty stress free.

 

[Sidman24]

German blue rams are gorgeous!

 

[Puffball]

It depends a lot on which fish you like. Schooling? Semi-aggressive? Community fish? Livebearers? Do you want any breeding to occur or would you rather not deal with that?

And it is betta (pronounced bed-da) not beta (bah-tuh). And I have seen betta sororities fail - it isn't pretty. My attempt in a 20 failed too, but the one in my 56 has been pretty stress free.

I would prefer to have no breeding occur in my tank because I won't be able to rehome the fish and I don't want to watch them be eaten by their parents either. So that's why I want male only guppies so far. wouldn't want an entirely schooling tank, nor do I want semi-aggressive fish either.

 

[Alyxx]

In that case I would recommend male guppies, maybe a school of cories for bottom dwellers, a school of small schoolers like neon tetras or celestial pearl danios, and maybe a centerpiece fish of a dwarf gourami OR a ram OR a (well behaved) male betta. With this stock you would probably have room for a couple more small non schooling fish. Maybe add a mystery snail for an interesting invert.