Welcome to Fish!

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.
There are “ready-to-go” aquarium kits at Petco, PetSmart, and Chewy ($120–$600)-low quality and incomplete🔥💸

Certain species need driftwood, sand, caves and specifc types of plants to express their natural behavior--
and some need lids to stop them from expressing themselves out of the tank!
*Note: some species can "rehydrate", even if it's been hours outside of the tank. Research!

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

Setup for 20 Gallon Long Aquarium- $654
Equipment: $462
Tank 20g Long($40)
Stand($190)
Filter(includes skimmer)($50)
Light($60)
Heater($26)
Net($5)
Lid($26)
Aquarium tool kit($15)
Syphon($40)
5 gallon bucket($4)
Powerstrip ($6)

Water Treatment $58
Seachem Prime($18)
API Freshwater Master Test Kit($40)

Decor $134 Substrate, Hardscape, Plants
8lb AquaSoil ($17)
20lb Black sand ($25)
3 Java Fern ($7each)
2 Anubias ($7each)
2 Tall Anubias ($7each)
1 Vallisneria Americana ($8)
Decorative wood ($25)
Decorative rocks ($10)

🛑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?
Always have clean hands when doing tank chores. Sunscreen, perfume or cleaning chemicals can effect senstive fish.
"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.
*The traveling bag water generally should not be added to the aquarium.

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, Chili Rasbora, Tucano Tetra, Dwarf Blue Tetra, Eight Banded False Barb, Golden Dwarf Barb
Alternative to sand loving Kuhli Loach group:
1 Bristlenose Pleco with wood and a cave or friendly scavengers Pygmy Corys, Corydoras, Dwarf Kuhli Loaches or peaceful bottom dwellers- Malayan Yellow Pygmy Catfish, Dwarf Horse-Faced Loach
Alternative to Nerite Snails:
Amano Shrimps, Ramshead Snails, Cherry Red Shrimps

Hungarian fish database https://diszhal.info/english/index.php
United Kingdom fish database https://aquadiction.world/

German fish wholesaler/database https://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/

Singapore guides and aquascapes https://gensou.sg/freshwater-aquarium-complete-beginner-hub/

or the forums... Not everyone is nice there and a lot of misinformation use your best judgement!
https://www.fishlore.com/
https://www.aquariumadvice.com/

beware the many streams of🧠Reddit☢️🌊

French fish database https://www.fishipedia.fr/category/aquariophilie/
Fish Stocking guide https://aqadvisor.com/
USA aquarium database with care guides https://www.steenfottaquatics.com/
Netherlands aquarium database  https://aquainfo.nl/en

YouTube Channels:
Aquarium Co-op Tips, information on fish, equipment and consumables- sells products
Dan's Fish Tips, information on fish they sell
Steenfott Aquatics Tips, information on fish
Glass Box Diaries Tips, information on fish and extensive plant blog
Serpa Design Tips, How to build your own aquarium from Ikea glass, inspiring tanks
tanks for nothin Cinematic aquarium fish dramas and inspiring tanks
MJ Aquascaping Tips, aquascaping and inspiring tanks
MD Fish Tanks Tips, information on fish, aquascaping and inspiring tanks
Keeping Fish Simple Tips, information on fish
Tropic tank Beautiful cinematic aquarium videos with common or scientific names
Leon the Lobster Charming story of saving a grocery store lobster-original