Aquarium Stocking Ideas

Top Surface Fish
Pygmy Hatchetfish (Carnegiella myersi), Dwarf Pencilfish (Nannostomus marginatus), Coral Red Pencilfish (Nannostomus mortenthaleri), Medaka "Rice Fish" (Oryzias latipes), Clown Killifish (Epiplatys annulatus), Red Neon Blue-eye (Pseudomugil luminatus), Gertrude's Spotted Blue-eye (Pseudomugil gertrudae), Blueback Blue-eye (Pseudomugil cyanodorsalis), Cenepa Red Pencilfish (Nannostomus sp. "Rio Amaya"), Honey Blue-eye (Pseudomugil mellis), Marbled Hatchetfish (Carnegiella strigata), Zebra Danio (Danio rerio), Forktail Blue-eye (Pseudomugil furcatus), Gardneri Killifish (Fundulopanchax gardneri), Splash Tetra (Copella arnoldi), Blotched Pyrrhulina (Pyrrhulina spilota), Siamese Fighting Fish / Betta (Betta splendens), Common Hatchetfish (Gasteropelecus sternicla), Pacific Blue-eye (Pseudomugil signifer), Archer Halfbeak (Nomorhamphus sagittarius), Celebes Halfbeak (Nomorhamphus liemi), Spotfin Silver Hatchet (Thoracocharax stellatus), Chinese Paradise Fish (Macropodus ocellatus), Blue Panchax (Aplocheilus panchax), Golden Wonder Killifish (Aplocheilus lineatus), Tanganyika Killifish (Lamprichthys tanganicanus), African Butterflyfish (Pantodon buchholzi), Clouded Archerfish (Toxotes blythii)

Midwater Fish
Emerald Rasbora (Celestichthys erythromicron), Celestial Pearl Danio (Danio margaritatus), Celestial Pearl Danio "DNZ" "Gold" (Danio margaritatus), Pea Puffer (Carinotetraodon travancoricus), Black Neon Tetra (Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi), "Smoke" Black Neon Tetra (Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi), Chili Rasbora (Boraras brigittae), Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae), Golden Dwarf Barb (Pethia gelius), Kubotai Rasbora (Microdevario kubotai), Cochu's Blue Tetra (Knodus borki), Royal Tetra (Inpaichthys kerri), Kitty Tetra (Hyphessobrycon heliacus), Tucano Tetra (Tucanoichthys tucano), Eight Banded False Barb (Eirmotus octozona), Flame Tetra (Hyphessobrycon flammeus), Sparkling/"Talking" Gourami (Trichopsis pumila), Yellow Melanostichos Tetra (Hyphessobrycon cf. melanostichos "Yellow"), Rummy Nose Rasbora (Sawbwa resplendens), Yurimaguas Peru Orange Tetra (Hyphessobrycon sp. "Yurimaguas"), Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi), Vietnamese White Cloud (Tanichthys micagemmae), Hovering Loach (Yunnanilus cruciatus), Honey Gourami (Trichogaster chuna), Otocinclus (Otocinclus sp.), Lemon Tetra (Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis), Racoon Tetra (Hyphessobrycon procyon), African Butterfly Barb (Barbus hulstaerti), Bloodfin Tetra (Aphyocharax anisitsi), Glowlight Danio (Celestichthys choprae), Red Phantom Tetras (Hyphessobrycon sweglesi), Muzel Red Cherry Tetra (Hyphessobrycon sp. Muzel), Rummy Nose Tetra (Hemigrammus rhodostomus), Harlequin Rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorpha), Cherry Barb (Puntius titteya), American Flag Fish (Jordanella floridae), Ornate Ctenopoma (Microctenopoma ansorgii), Barred Danio (Devario pathirana), Guentheri Killifish (Nothobranchius guentheri), Emperor Tetra (Nematobrycon palmeri), "Golden" Emperor Tetra (Nematobrycon palmeri), Snake Skin Barb (Desmopuntius rhomboocellatus), Rainbow Shiner (Notropis chrosomus), Volcano Bitterling (Rhodeus ocellatus), Spotted Headstander (Chilodus punctatus), Checkered Barb (Oliotius oligolepis), Melon Barb (Haludaria fasciata), Blue-eyed/Lampai Congo Tetra (Phenacogrammus aurantiacus), Red Laser/Watermelon Tetra (Hemigrammus coeruleus), Black Ruby Barb (Pethia nigrofasciata), Samurai Gourami (Sphaerichthys vaillanti), Chocolate Gourami (Sphaerichthys osphromenoides), Golden Barb (Barbodes semifasciolatus var. "Gold"), Odessa Barb (Pethia padamya), Taiwan Green Barb (Barbodes semifasciolatus), Taiwan Bitterling (Paracheilognathus himantegus), Glass Catfish (Kryptopterus vitreolus), Amazon Puffer (Colomesus asellus), Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia praecox), "Chili Red" Rosy Barb (Pethia conchonius), Roundnose Whalefish (Campylomormyrus compressirostris), Millennium Rainbowfish (Glossolepis pseudoincisus), Leaf Fish (Monocirrhus polyacanthus), Congo Tetra (Phenacogrammus interruptus), Pastel Lily Tetras (Astyanax xavante), Boeseman's Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia boesemani), Blue Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia lacustris), Mascara Barb (Dawkinsia assimilis), Crimson-spotted Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia duboulayi), Yellow Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia herbertaxelrodi), Rainbow Cichlids (Archocentrus multispinosus), Empire Gudgeon (Hypseleotris compressa), Pearl Gourami (Trichopodus leerii), Red Banded Leporinus (Synaptolaemus latofasciatus), Blue Spotted Hill Trout (Barilius bakeri), Eight Spotted Leporinus (Leporinus octomaculatus), Giant Danio (Devario aequipinnatus), Orange-fin Hill Trout (Barilius ardens), Filament Barb (Dawkinsia filamentosa), Three-Spot Gourami (Trichopodus trichopterus), Roseline Shark (Sahyadria denisonii), Golden Roseline Shark (Sahyadria denisonii var. "Gold"), Neon Green Silver Dollar (Myleus sp. 'green'), Silver Dollar (Metynnis argenteus), Marbled Headstander (Abramites hypselonotus), Striped Headstander (Anostomus anostomus), Tiger Silver Dollar (Metynnis fasciatus), Clown Spotted Leporinus (Leporinus maculatus), Discus (Symphysodon spp.), Elephantfish (Gnathonemus petersii), Banded Leporinus (Leporinus fasciatus)

Lower Tank Fish
Annie's Goby (Stiphodon annieae), Freshwater Bumblebee Goby (Brachygobius xanthomelas), Black Tiger Badis (Dario tigris), Habrosus Pygmy Cory (Hoplisoma habrosus), Dwarf Anchor Catfish (Hara jerdoni), Licorice Gourami (Parosphromenus deissneri), Pygmy Sunfish (Elassoma evergladei), Zhou's Scarlet Goby (Rhinogobius zhoui), Gold Neon Dwarf Goby (Stiphodon percnopterygionus), Green Darter Tetra (Ammocryptocharax elegans), Crocodile Toothpick Fish (Indostomus crocodilus), Gold Black Stiphodon Goby (Stiphodon aureofuscus), Multies (Neolamprologus multifasciatus), Red Lipstick Goby (Sicyopus rubicundus), Flaming Arrow Goby (Sicyopus zosterophorus), Panda Loach (Yaoshania pachychilus), Dwarf Kuhli Loach (Pangio cuneovirgata), Malayan Yellow Pygmy Catfish (Hyalobagrus flavus), Red Stripe Flossensauger (Erromyzon kalotaenia), Yellow-finned Hillstream Loach (Gastromyzon viriosus), Rikbaktsa Corydoras (Hoplisoma rikbaktsa), Fireball Cory (Osteogaster hephaestus), Panda Cory (Hoplisoma panda), Gold Laser Cory (Corydoras sp. CW009), Vulcan Cory (Hoplisoma sp. CW111), Adolfo's Cory (Hoplisoma adolfoi), Rio Tomo Concolor Cory (Hoplisoma sp. CW217), Venezuelan Cory (Osteogaster aenea / syn. Corydoras venezuelanus & Corydoras aeneus), Apistogramma "Opal" (Apistogramma borellii 'Opal'), Lizard Hillstream Loach (Homaloptera confuzona), Blue Neon Goby (Stiphodon atropurpureus), Dwarf Chain Loach (Ambastaia sidthimunki), Purple-fin Hillstream Loach (Pseudogastromyzon laticeps), Red Devil Borneo Sucker (Gastromyzon katibasensis), "Internet Celebrity" Hillstream Loach (Hemimyzon pengi), Tiger Hillstream Loach (Sewellia lineolata), Peacock Gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda), Desert Goby (Chlamydogobius eremius), Blue Badis (Badis badis), Gold Ram Cichlid (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi var. "Gold"), German Blue Ram (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi), Araguaia Dwarf Acara (Laetacara araguaiae), Honeycomb Catfish (Centromochlus perugiae), Bolivian Ram Cichlids (Mikrogeophagus altispinosus), Gold Laser Cory (Osteogaster sp. "CW010"), Pantanal Cory (Corydoras pantanalensis), Dwarf Horse-Faced Loach (Acanthopsoides robertsi), Panda Apisto (Apistogramma nijsseni), Checkerboard Cichlid (Dicrossus filamentosus), Cloud Leopard Loach (Vanmanenia sp.), Zebra Pleco (Hypancistrus zebra), Panda Garra "Doctor Fish Cousin" (Garra flavatra), Barito Loach (Kapuasia falaris), Porthole Catfish (Dianema longibarbis), Apistogramma "Blue Flame" (Apistogramma macmasteri 'Blue Flame'), Crimson Loach (Schistura sp. "Crimson"), Emerald Corydoras (Brochis splendens), Banded/Bearded Cory (Scleromystax barbatus), Purple Sailfin Gudgeon (Crossocheilogobio tafangensis), Kribensis Cichlids (Pelvicachromis pulcher), Indochina Stone Loach (Paracanthocobitis botia), Kuhli Loach (Pangio kuhlii), Vietnamese Giraffe Loach (Annamia normani), Peru Toadfish (Thalassophryne amazonica), Neon Borneo Sucker (Gastromyzon lepidogaster), Skunk Botia (Yasuhikotakia morleti), Sunburst Gudgeon (Hypseleotris cyprinoides), Hog-Nosed Brochis (Brochis multiradiatus), Redtail Garra (Garra panitvongi), Zebra Loach (Botia striata), Dwarf Cuckoo Catfish (Synodontis petricola), Pictus Catfish (Pimelodus pictus), Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus cf. cirrhosus), Siamese Algae Eater(SAE) (Crossocheilus oblongus), Yo-Yo Loach (Botia almorhae), Clouded Nandus (Nandus nebulosus), Congo(Potato) Puffer (Tetraodon miurus), Red Lizard Whiptail Catfish (Rineloricaria sp. "Red Lizard"), Papuan Freshwater Sole (Brachirus selheimi), Rainbow Belly Pipefish (Microphis deocata), Whiptail Twig Catfish (Farlowella acus), Horse-Faced Loach (Acantopsis dialuzona), Striped Raphael Catfish (Platydoras armatulus), Centipede Knifefish (Steatogenys elegans), Longnose Whiptail Catfish (Sturisoma barbatum), Zebra Knifefish (Gymnotus pedanopterus), Senegal Bichir (Polypterus senegalus), Rope Fish/Reedfish (Erpetoichthys calabaricus), Fire Eel (Mastacembelus erythrotaenia)  

Invertebrates
Rabbit Snails (Tylomelania spp.), Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata), Nerite Snails (Neritina spp.), Mystery Snail (Pomacea diffusa), Malaysian Trumpet Snail (Melanoides tuberculata), Ramshorn Snail (Planorbella duryi), Bladder Snail (Physella acuta), Great Pond Snail (Lymnaea stagnalis), Assassin Snail (Anentome helena), Shark Fin Mussel (Hyriopsis cumingii), Golden Freshwater Clam (Corbicula fluminea), Bamboo Shrimp (Atyopsis moluccensis), Vampire Crabs (Geosesarma dennerle), Panther Crab (Parathelphusa pantherina), Pom Pom Crab (Ptychognathus barbatus), Dwarf Mexican Crayfish/CPO (Cambarellus patzcuarensis), Electric Blue Crayfish (Procambarus alleni), Red Swamp Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii), Zebra Crayfish (Cherax peknyi), Thunderbolt Crayfish (Cherax pulcher), Giant Freshwater Prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii), Red Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi), Blue Dream Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi), Blue Galaxy Snowflake SSS+ (Neocaridina davidi), Crystal Red Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis), Golden / White Bee Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis), Sulawesi Red Line Shrimp (Caridina striata)

🛑Contains some advanced fish! 🛑
This is a "possibilities" guide of what one might be able to accomplish with enough research, time and care.

Wow there are soo many great fish!
Most 🐟 need at least 6< same species pals to act normal/not stressed.
Some are solo, ♀♂  pairs or ♀2+ to ♂1.

If you want multi-species tank consider collecting 🐟 that occupy different levels- Top, Middle, Bottom.
Too many in one level can lead to rude behavior/territorial conflicts.🗡️
Using Hardscape🪨& Plants🌱 breaks "line of sight", gives 🐟 their own caves & quells conflicts.🕊️
If you aren't sure- get a bigger tank.🎁

Use this fish stocking guide to check behavior capability, water parameters and the filtration requirements you will need.

Buy Equipment and decor that benefits the animals you are bringing in.
Certain species need driftwood, sand, caves and certain types of plants to express their natural behavior--
and some need lids to stop them form expressing themselves out of the tank!
*Note many species can "rehydrate" if they launch out of the tank, even if it's been hours and they dried up a bit. Research!

Substrate, Hardscape, Plants
➡️🪇FUN: Build the tank! Add water and dechlorinator, turn on the filter and heater.
➡️🛑Wait: Nitrogen Cycle Time!

🛑Wait 30-60 days until daily water tests have proven the bacteria is ready for fish🛑

Animals for a 20 gallon Tank- $0- $700
Buy captive/ "Tank Bred" fish🌍Only add one species group at a time
General rule: add hardy, peaceful species first- territorial and sensitive last.
🛑Wait 7-30 days-ish per group, until water tests have proven the bacteria is ready for fish🛑Bigger bioload=more waiting time.
It is recommended that new fish be quarantined in their own tank 2 weeks to observe for illness before being added to a community tank..

What method is best for adding fish to the tank?
The bag water generally should not be added to the aquarium.
"Plop & Drop Method "- float bag 20mins to temperature match, pour bag water & fish into net over a container, then gently place fish in tank, turn off tank lights for 8hrs.
"Drip Acclimation"- float bag 20mins to temperature match, pour bag water & fish into a container, water from tank slowly drips and mixes with container(30-40mins), gently catch fish with a net and place fish in tank, turn off tank lights for several hours so fish can relax.

🌏Buy Captive/ "Tank Bred" fish
Petco/PetSmart
+ Ridiculously cheap fish
- Majority of stores fish are kept in suboptimal conditions, weak, diseased, soon to be departed
- Fish aquaculture information is often bad to deadly ignorant☠️⚰️🐟
+ Sometimes the fish area employee is a fish nerd/ marine biogist major and keeps the fish healthy- hopefully you and the fish get lucky! Go check it out before you buy! Always double check information that anyone gives you- there is a LOT🧠🤓

Local Fish Store (LFS)
+ More expensive= More care, fish are treated, acclimated, fed, ready to go!
+ Less travel for the fish=less stress
+ They are there in an emergency
+ Sometimes offer tank design/cleaning services, fish shelter/tank sitting
+/- Often run by fish enthusiasts!/Sometimes spooky!/ Go check out the store in person before you buy!
+/- Things are more expensive but the good stores are also giving you an education in aquaculture-always double check information that anyone gives you- there is a LOT🧠🤓

Online Retailers
- Fish have to go in the mail, very stressful
+ Unique species
+ Sometimes more expensive= More Care, fish are treated, acclimated, fed, vouched healthy before going in the mail
+/- Research! You know how the internet is- no one is perfect>_< Dan's Fish and Aquatic Arts dedicates a page of their sites to a moral claim/promise for the most human treatment of the animals. I guess go with your gut. Hopefully you have a local fish store that is easy.

Dan's Fish  345 Phoenix Ave., Sheridan, WY 82801
https://www.youtube.com/@DansFish  
DOA must report within 1hr(some shipping cost refunded as well) as of 8/3/2026

The Wet Spot  4310 NE Hancock St. Portland, OR 97213
www.youtube.com/@TheWetSpotTropicalFish
cute fish story blog https://www.wetspottropicalfish.com/the-spotlight/
DOA must report within 4hrs of arrival as of 8/3/2026
use code: steenfott10 for 10% off Livestock visit  https://www.steenfottaquatics.com/ as of 8/5/2026

Imperial Tropicals  2720 Grimes Rd, Lakeland, FL 33805
DOA must report within 2hrs of arrival (unless you pay for extended claim see website) as of 8/3/2026

Aqua Imports 2690 28th St # C, Boulder, CO 80301
DOA must report within 2hrs of arrival as of 8/3/2026

Aquatic Arts  6352 Airway Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46241
DOA must report within 24hrs of arrival as of 8/3/2026
use code: FISHTORY15 for 15% off or FISHTORY10 for 10% off thanks to: https://www.youtube.com/@Fishtory  as of 8/20/26

NOT FOR BEGINNERS Aqua Huna  Aqua Huna, 620 S. 7th Street, Renton, WA 98057
DOA must report within 72hrs as of 8/3/2026

Moonlight Aquatics 1700 132nd St SE Suite G Mill Creek, WA 98012
use code: steenfott10 for 10% off Livestock  visit  https://www.steenfottaquatics.com/  as of 8/5/2026
DOA policy not listed on site as of 8/3/2026

BUYPETSHRIMP.COM 5564 Ravine Ct Marysville, CA 95901
DOA must report within 2hrs of arrival as of 8/5/2026
use code: steenfott5 for 5% off Livestock  as of 8/5/2026  visit  https://www.steenfottaquatics.com/

The Shrimp Farm 1102 S Main St., Bloomington, IL 61701
DOA must report within 2hrs of arrival "If you are outside of this 2-hour window, that is okay. Please email us. " as of 8/5/2026

🧠Research then decide!🧠

Fish clubs?
Local groups of fish people who trade fish they breed.
Never tried might be best? IDK-Research

Mid water:
1 ♂ Honey Gourami $8/ea.
12 Neon Tetra $4/ea.
Bottom:
6 Kuhli Loaches $8/ea. (provide a sandy area)(lid)
2 Nerite Snails $6/ea.

Add Neon Tetra🛑test NH3, NO2 & NO3 in water after 1-2 weeks➡️
then Honey Gourami 🛑test NH3, NO2 & NO3 in water after 1-2 weeks➡️
and Kuhli Loaches.
Snails last after algae and biofilm is established in the tank.

Alternatives to a single ♂Honey Gourami:
a  ♂♀ pair of Sparkling Gourami
Alternatives to Neon Tetra group:
A group of small peaceful schooling fish: Harlequin Rasbora, Ember Tetra, Flame Tetra, Cherry Barb,  Golden Dwarf Barb, Chili Rasbora, Tucano Tetra, Dwarf Blue Tetra, Eight Banded False Barb
Alternative to sand loving Kuhli Loach group:
1 Bristlenose Pleco with wood and a cave or friendly sand loving scavengers Pygmy Corys, Corydoras, Dwarf Kuhli Loaches or peaceful bottom dwellers- Malayan Yellow Pygmy Catfish, Dwarf Anchor Catfish, Dwarf Horse-Faced Loach(deep sand)
Alternative to Nerite Snails:
Amano Shrimps, Ramshead Snails, Cherry Red or Blue Dream Shrimps

Top:
8 Otos $13/ea.
Mid-water:
6 Golden Barb $10/ea.
6 Odessa Barb $9/ea.
6 Taiwan Green Barb $10/ea.
6 Checkered Barb $10/ea.
6 Snakeskin Barb $9/ea.
6 Cherry Barb $8/ea.
6 Purple Emperor Tetra $8/ea.

Bottom:
6 Corydoras $10/ea. (provide a sandy area)
6 Kuhli Loaches $10/ea. (provide a sandy area/caves)(lid)
6 Nerite Snails $5/ea.

Add Corydoras 🛑 test NH3, NO2 & NO3 in water after 1-2 weeks ➡️ then Cherry Barb & Purple Emperor Tetra
🛑 test NH3, NO2 & NO3 in water after 1-2 weeks ➡️ then Checkered Barb & Odessa Barb
🛑 test NH3, NO2 & NO3 in water after 1-2 weeks ➡️ then Golden Barb, Taiwan Green Barb & Snakeskin Barb
🛑 test NH3, NO2 & NO3 in water after 1-2 weeks ➡️ and Kuhli Loaches
Snails and then Otos last after algae and biofilm is established in the tank. 

Tank top:
10 Clown Killifish $12/ea.
Mid water:
7 Ember Tetra $7/ea.
7 Tucano Tetra $15/ea
10 Kubotai Rasbora $8/ea.
7 Cochu's Blue Tetra $8/ea.
15 Chili Rasbora $7/ea.
Bottom:
3 Amano Shrimp $5/ea.
2 Nerite Snails $6/ea.

Note:  With tiny fish adding dense vegetation and driftwood creates bravery.
Add Ember Tetra 🛑test water after 1-2 weeks➡️ Kubotai Rasbora🛑test water after 1-2 weeks➡️
Next Chili Rasboras🛑test water after 1-2 weeks➡️Cochu's Blue Tetra🛑test water after 1-2 weeks➡️Tucano Tetras.
Clown Killifish. Shrimp and snails last after algae and biofilm is established in the tank.

Tank top:
6 Common Hatchetfish $10/ea.
Mid water:
6 Volcano Bitterling $40/ea.
6 Rainbow Shiners $13/ea.
Bottom:
3 Tiger Hillstream Loach $12/ea..
8  Annie's Goby $25/ea.
6  Blue Neon Goby $13/ea.
3 Amano Shrimp $5/ea.
1 Nerite Snails  $6/ea.

Add Rainbow Shiners 🛑test water after 1-2 weeks➡️ Volcano Bitterlings 🛑test water after 1-2 weeks➡️Then Hatchetfish.
🛑test water after 1-2 weeks➡️Lastly add Amano Shrimp, Tiger Hillstream Loaches and Nerite after algae and biofilm is established in the tank..