Suggestions on stocking a 25 G containing 12 neon tetras

[jb_lyndon]

A quick RunDown:
Waiting for new 25 g with 12 neons to cycle... I know, bad choice of fish.
My mistake.
Tank size: 30" X 13" X 16"
AquaClear 200 hang on filter.
2 fake plants, 1 medium sized tall piece of wood (good for blocking line of sight), 2 bubble stones (one in each back corner), dark chocolate medium/large sized store bought aquarium gravel.

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21188

Hopefully our neons survive, in either case I'd greatly appreciate some advice on stocking our tank.

Ok so hopefully 12 neons (if they live). If they meet there unfortunate demise we would plan to get more. Or instead possibly 12 Cardinal Tetras if their temperment is more suitable? (I read somewhere that neons may nip dwarf gourami fins... any truth?)

We were thinking of 2 Dwarf Gouramis (1 blue, 1 red) but have read that they should be kept in groups of at least 3 to split up the stress from the potentially more aggressive one. If this is true would a Honey Gourami (max 2" although not technically a 'Dwarf') be suitable in this situation to share the brunt?? Or any suggestions for a nice "centerpiece" fish other than (or in addition to) Dwarf Gouramis?

Also thinking of acquiring about 4 otos for algae consumption, not to mention they are super cute little guys who I've heard have loads of character. Apparently otos are shoaling fish so I hope 4 is enough to keep them happy, I don't suppose 3 would do the trick??

Does this sound like a good mix so far? What other fish would you recommend introducing to this potential setup? Someone suggested Kuhli Loaches but we don't like the prospect of them hiding all the time. With 25G we don't have a lot of room to work with so we don't want to limit our possibilities with the acquisition of fish that we'll rarely see. Also IMO Corys are kind of (with the risk of offending Cory lovers) ugly. So any other suggestions for bottom dwellers??

Hope you can Help.

[jb_lyndon]

Anybody?? I could really use some good advice.
Will it help if I say Please? :shake:

[Slappy*McFish]

I don't see any problems with your current suggestions. I think 2-3 dwarf gouramis will be just fine together in a 25g. The Honey Gourami(Colisa sota) is actually a dwarf species. Be sure to provide them with plenty of 'cover'..(stem plants, floating plants, etc). Four otos will help clean up the slime and brown algae...I think 6 would be even better as these fish produce very little waste and would be fine in a 25. Your choices for bottom feeders are very limited if you don't like cories(awesome fish!). Maybe you could get a small group of rosy or cherry barbs. They are also very good algae eaters. With that, I think your tank will be pretty much full.

[jb_lyndon]

Thanks for the suggestions Slappy.
I think the rosy barb with an adult size of 6" is a bit big for what we're looking for but the Cherry Barb (adult size 2") sound nice... will the cherry barbs spend most of their time near the bottom?

After researching them a little I think I've actually become fond of those, previously thought to be, "ugly" cories ;) I'm thinking, if I can find some, that Pygmy Cories would be perfect to occupy the bottom level of our tank and being TINY they'd allow for the acquisition of a few more fish... maybe some Harlequin Rasboras... what do you think?

Any other suggestions from anyone at all again would be greatly appreciated.

[Slappy*McFish]

No problem. I've never personally heard of Rosy barbs growing to 6" before, nor have I ever seen one come close to that size. The biggest I've ever seen was around 2.5-3" tops. A 6 incher would be very rare, indeed. Most of the literature I've read lists them at around 2-2.5".

H. Rasboras would be a nice alternative to Rosy barbs, however.;)

[TKOS]

From what I have read on this forum pygmy cories are more low level water swimming fish than true bottom feeders (though I have never kept them). Regular dwarf cories in your size tank could easily be kept in a group of 5-7. Just make sure that whatever bottom feeder you buy you get some sinking food tablets as the leftover flake food won't be enough. I usually add 1-2 tablets of various kinds for my 3 cories during feeding time and they love them.

I wouldn't get another tetra group as they often end up forming many small schools or one big one so it just gets messy.

Add some diversity with Mystery Snails and ammano shrimp.

And I know if Oriongirl comes into this discussion she will tell you that Khulies won't always hide. I think they are just shy fish and take awhile to get accustomed to a new tank and don't do well in smaller groups. Of course you could get a couple of the larger loaches as well like yoyos. While they get big their bodies are slim and produce much less waste then fish of similar length. My brother has 2 in his 29 gallon and they keep his snail population to zero (or at least the visible snails).

[vaheelsfan]

If you get a larger tetra, I don't believe they will school with the neons. I have some glolight tetras and buenos airies, and they don't mix. I think when you get into tetras of the same size, then they'll school togther. I don't think you'll be disappointed with cories though...they're almost always doing something :)

[jb_lyndon]

Originally posted by TKOS
I wouldn't get another tetra group as they often end up forming many small schools or one big one so it just gets messy.

I'm not sure where this one came from, I never mention acquiring more tetras... are you telling me that cherry barbs or more importantly Harlequin Rasboras will school with the neons? Will they?? I'd hope that they would occupy different areas of the tank and for the most part avoid intermingling.

[Slappy*McFish]

No, they will not school with the neons. The rasboras will exhibit more schooling behavior than the neons, for the most part. Neons have a tendency to 'spread out' in small tanks. and usually only school when they feel threatened. In very large tanks, however, neons will usually stick together in one area and move around the tank as a group.

[jb_lyndon]

Thanks Slappy,
so in a 25 g 30x13x16" with:
12 neons
3 Dwarf Gouramis
4 or 5 otos
and possibly a few pygmy cories,
how many Harlequin Rasboras would you recommend??

[Slappy*McFish]

I usually recommend at least 10 rasboras, as they are such magnificent schoolers; but that might push the envelope on your tank's capacity. It really depends on your filtration and maintenance schedule though. Most of those fish are tiny, and will not create much waste, so you might be ok to add 10 rasboras to that tank. Maybe only get 2 gouramis instead of three, this would give you a little more room to play with.

[jb_lyndon]

Thanks again Slappy...
10 Rasboras sound wicked sweet!!
Oh about the 2 dwarf gouramis, I know I asked earlier but with only 2 will the more passive one be ok carrying the entire brunt of the more aggresive ones bullying??

[jb_lyndon]

And another thing about Dwarf Gouramis...
Can anybody recommend a good alternative to these pretty fishies?
Or maybe a larger 'centerpiece' fish that would be compatible with 2 Dwarf Gouramis, 12 neons, and a few otos??