18gallon socking plan

Skip the lobster. Any lobster/crab will go after fish, and though your fish will probably be too fast for it, it's still risky...I would add 5 panda corys for the bottom. Also, get only one of the gourami species...

*snickers at title* socking a tank...hmmm.
Definately skip the lobster/crayfish unless you don't care about your fish being maimed and killed.
I'm thinking maybe the platy would like another platy for company?>

I don't see any reason to get bottom feeders for the sake of getting them, you don't have to fill all of the swimming levels in your tank.

I agree. Skip the idea of the lobster. He will kill everything in his path eventually. Again choose which gourami you want and go with that. Add a few more platys to your plan and you are good to go.

Marinemom