40G Breeder Stocking Questions?

[GeoPappas]

I am looking to stock a 40 gallon breeder tank (36"Wx18"Dx16"H).

I would like to set up a peaceful community tank with no aggression (or as little as possible). I would also like the fish to be a little active and colorful. In other words, I would prefer not to have a tank full of boring fish.

This is what I am thinking about at the moment:

6 Espei Rasboras (or maybe Harlequin Rasboras if I can't find the Espeis)
6 Five-Banded Barbs (aka Pentagon Barbs)
6 Sunset Coral Dwarf Platies
2 Dwarf Gouramis
4 Julii Cories
4 Otos

FYI: I don't plan on adding them all at once. I will only add one group at a time. Once I add a group and cycle the tank, I will add another group after another week or so. So this should take a few months to stock.

Which group do you think would be good as "starter" fish?

I will probably get the Cories and Otos last, since the tank will be more "mature" by then.

I have read that it is good to get a pair of Dwarf Gouramis, but I am not sure if they mean 2 males or a male/female pair. What are your suggestions?

Please let me know what you think.

[Aphotic Phoenix]

I thought cories were really more of a scavenger fish...so as long as you provide them a sinking food they should be fine. Oto's however should have a more mature tank with plenty of algae since they will not always eat algae wafers.

When a "pair" of gourami's are suggested, yes it means a male/female combo. Dwarfs are less aggressive than full sized gourami's, but there may still be some aggression between two males.

[Ruben Tolon]

I would subtract the platies and just increase the school of rasboras or barbs.

[GeoPappas]

Anyone have any suggestions on which group of fish would be good as the "starters"?

Anyone else have any comments?


When a "pair" of gourami's are suggested, yes it means a male/female combo. Dwarfs are less aggressive than full sized gourami's, but there may still be some aggression between two males.

Thanks. That's what I thought, but I wanted to make sure.


I would subtract the platies and just increase the school of rasboras or barbs.

Why would you remove the platies?

[Aphotic Phoenix]

Just a guess, but perhaps they suggested against the platies because they are livebearers and if you aren't careful to get all the same gender will produce fry constantly.

[jpappy789]

Too many platies=to much fry

I believe that with most gouramis 1male/2 females is best, but not completely necessary. If you aren't in love with julii's, try pandas or dwarf corys and you can get 5-6 of them which is better.

[gmh]

I would nix the platies also because I think the Rasboras and Barbs would be more interesting in larger schools, say 10 Rasboras and 7 Barbs.
I would start out with the slilghtly smaller Rasboras and let them establish themselves before adding Barbs and others.

[jm1212]

6 Espei Rasboras (or maybe Harlequin Rasboras if I can't find the Espeis)
6 Five-Banded Barbs (aka Pentagon Barbs)
6 Sunset Coral Dwarf Platies
2 Dwarf Gouramis
4 Julii Cories
4 Otos


go for one school.

your bottom feeders look good

one dwarf gourami...two males will fight and females are impossible to find. a pearl gourami can also work.

[GeoPappas]

go for one school.

Why?

[jm1212]

Why?
better colors and more activity

[jpappy789]

I agree. One big school looks better than two smaller ones IMO