How many fish should I put in my new 20 gallon tank?

$eaba$$ said:

I just got a 20 gallon tank yesterday, and I just set it up. It has a aqua-tech hob power filter, that came with it. It's rated for working up in up to 30 gallons. Would this be a ok bio load if I change water every week and gravel vaccum?: 3 guppies, 3 platies, 1 pleco, 2 dwarf gouramies, and some neon tetras? How many neons could I fit in there still, and are all of those fish compatible? Thanks for yuor answers in advance.

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What kind of pleco is it? A common pleco will get MUCH too big for a 30 gallon - unless you're absolutely sure you'll get a bigger tank in the future, don't bother with it.

3 guppies, 3 platies, and 2 dwarf gouramies should all get along together I believe - don't quote me on that. From what I've read, dwarf gouramies tend to be peaceful fish. They should all be okay in a 30 gallon. As far as neon tetras, I personally wouldn't stock your aquarium anymore than what you've stated above. I'm kind of an advocate on understocking though. When things go wrong (filters breaking, not enough oxygen or something weird), it's a lot better when you have a lower fishload to deal with than being overstocked.
Hopefully someone with a bit more fish experience can answer your question better definitivly

Well, you need to cycle the tank first before adding in any fish and that will take several weeks. You'll have plenty of time to research your fish while you wait. Check out this thread for more on cycling:

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84598

cycle your tank first get a water test kit learn to use it by testing your water as it cycles then start off slow with one or two fish and test the water to keep things in line add fish slow start off with the guppies
i'd use a cory cat in place of the oto's they stay small.dwarf gourmias are ok with almost anything as long as you dont have two males in a 20 if you can get a few femals it would be better but keep them in groups of 3
1 male 2 females

please read the links that people provide for you. they help to show you how to properly cycle a tank. a common mistake for beginners is to add fish thinking conditioning the water is good enough. unless you want to see enourmous die offs and a waste of money not to mention having fish suffer, i suggest you purchase yourself a liquid test kit, like the Freshwater Master Test Kit from API and read what fishless cycling is about. the process will take about a month, but you need to do this to help get your aquarium established. after the cycling is done, SLOWLY add your desired stock each week until done.

otos do best in a small school of 3 or 4 and do better in a tank thats already established, meaning they would be the last fish you add when your stocking. they eat both algae and leftover food, but you still need to supplement them with sinking algae wafers and other foods such as fresh vegetables.

if you want your aquarium to be successful, do A LOT of research on your fish stock, fishless cycling and the works. and be PATIENT. good luck!

If you're cycling your tank from scratch, it'll take much longer than one and a half weeks. It took mine a month to cycle. Have you been testing the water?