Comments please on proposed 38G stocking

[tumble]

I'm in the middle of a fishless cycle on my first tank, a 38G (36wx12dx18h)

I wanted to keep some Clown Loaches but after reading several resources and forums have decided to wait until i'm in the position to purchase a tank that is more acceptable to their growth potential.

I've got in my head the following as possible combination for my tank, can i get feedback and comments on whether understocked, overstocked, compatibility etc. Views from people with experience are much more valued to me than some spotted face kid working in Petsmart or Petco.

ok here's my list

2 x (Dwarf, Honey or Flame Gourami)
6 x (Glowlight, Pretty or Yellow Tetra)
6 x (Zebra Danio - the long fin variety or Harlequin Rasbora)
3 x Yo-Yo Loaches

Thanks to anyone who replies

John

[CandiBug2]

Zebra Danios are nice if you like zippy hyper-active fish! heh They do well in schools from what I understand.

[SnakeIce]

sounds ok to me,

you could look for botia rostrata(sargent major, twin-banded, my lfs called them indian dwarf loaches) as they stay smaller and are quite peaceful

look up loaches.com for pictures of all the loach species

oh and by the measurements you gave of your tank it is closer to a 33 gallon tank

length x width x highth in inches / 231 = gallons your tank holds

[OrionGirl]

Sounds like a good plan. You will want to watch the loaches to make sure they don't harrass your other fish, as they can sometimes be aggressive. Make sure they have caves and niches to hide in, though, and you should be fine.

HTH

[tumble]

Thanks for the speedy responses I never knew it was so hard to decide on what to stock in a tank.

I have caves at either end of the tank and some cover in the middle so hopefully that will keep the Yo-Yo's happy and peaceful.

[TKOS]

I have gouramis and tetras together in my parents tank. They get along together quite well. OF course that may be because the Flame Gourami spends most of the day picking on one of the flying foxes.

[val]

I wouldn't mix the gouramis with the danios. I really like the dwarf gouramis, and they are gorgeous, but they are surface dwellers and you've the zippy danios there. I've heard that rasboras are hardy, but I tried a batch in a 55g tank years ago and they all died in a couple of weeks, so I've never gone back, but I do like their coloration and they'd match well with a couple of honey gouramis...

Val

[TKOS]

I have yet to see my gouramis really do much at the surface except for the occasional bubble nest nest. The flame one spends his time on the bottom harrassing the flying fox and sometimes even sits in the fox's cave so he can't get in. Very odd little fish. They are definatly the aggressors in that tank, though it is mostly chasing. Can't say I have ever mixed them with danios though.

[Captain Hook]

I have gouramies with danios and they all seem to do fine. I don't have dwarf gouramies however. They are gold, opaline, and blue or 3 spot. The gouramies and danios are both all over the tank (same size as yours). I am looking at the tank right now and the gouramies are mostly mid level and below.

[cblin]

Sorry to bring up an older thread. However, I just recently set up a 38 gallon for my wife. We've decided that we're going to have the following slowly stocking up of course in a planted tank.

6 Cory cats
9 Neon / cardinal tetras
3 honey gouramis
6 Harlequin rasboras
6 Rummy nose tetras