Newbie Needs Stocking Help

[FireBane]

Hey all I recently got a 20 gallon aquarium setup and am looking to start adding fish. How many fish can I fit in my tank? I'm planning on getting cichlids any suggestions on beginner ones?
 
Thanks

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Have you read this yet?
 
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/421488-cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first/
 
 
 
Start there... everything else will come after that.
 
 
 
(And welcome to the forum.)

 

[Blondielovesfish]

Make sure you have a good read of that link that EA posted (also found in my signature).
You need to do a fishless cycle before you add any fish, if you add lots of fish at once, they will likely die from ammonia and/or nitrite poisoning

 

[FireBane]

Are ram cichlids good beginner fish? I was looking at some and I would like to include some in my tank.

 

[TallTree01]

I wouldn't say good beginner fish. iMo all cichlids are a bit more tricky due to unpredictability in temperament.