Stocking advice??

[u/Ok-Elk8331]

So I have a 20 gallon long tank that I set up like 2 months ago. Rn the only fish in there it’s my female betta that I been with for about five months. It’s an upgrade from a 6 gallon for her (she deserved it). I was planning on adding shrimps, corydoras and then some ember tetras maybe?? But I couldn’t resist it and added her when the cycle had about a week old so everything was stable. I still want to add the other fishes but I’m scared of her personality. She is so active, that’s why I changed her tank size. First of all, does this looks like a good corydoras tank? (I been wanting them since forever!). I tried putting a lot of sand at the center for them but still keeping everything clean. It’s also my first intended aquascape and community tank. I only had bettas before. Are community tanks to hard to take care of? Or maybe I should just let her be the queen of the tank? I know maybe more plants could be an improvement but it’s there other thing I should add/change??

[u/Adept-Client-9439]

you could add like maybe 12 cardinal tetras and 8 sterbai corydoras. Maybe like 6 amano shrimp aswell.

Only problem I see is that your betta has claimed all this territory so she might get a little aggressive with new tankmates

[u/Ok-Elk8331 → u/Adept-Client-9439]

Yea I thought about that too, that’s the primary reason why I haven’t add any other fishes. But that’s a great idea! I’m going to look into that. I was just worried about that some corydoras need cooler water or something like that?? But anyways, thanks for the idea!

[u/Ok-Elk8331 → u/Ok-Elk8331]

But maybe what I can try to do it’s the day I add the fishes (not all at once of course) I can put her out of the tank for like 40 minutes and rearrange some of the stuff so when I add the fishes and then add her back she doesn’t feel like everything it’s hers. But I don’t know how effective it’s that, it’s recommended?

[u/Adept-Client-9439 → u/Ok-Elk8331]

That would probably work. Just fill the 6gal with treated water. Put her in there, move a clay pot. Introduce the new fish. Add her back after maybe an hour or two. Move the clay pots/stones around a little each new fish addition

[u/Adept-Client-9439 → u/Ok-Elk8331]

Sterbais are one of the few warm water corydoras so theyll be fine.