Stocking 37 gal.

[mpx]

I've got 37 gal w/fake plants and some real driftwood, also a few mayan decorations (got the Indiana Jones theme going minus Dr. Jones)

This is what I was thinking - 15 white cloud minnows, 1 male betta, 2/3 female bettas, 15 guppies (male & female), 6 corydoras, and 1 butterfly pleco.

Does this sound good? Suggestions for replacing the ones i mentioned or adding or subracting anything else?

I was thinking maybe replacing the minnows w/neon/cardinal tetras.

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Also, i've seen the blue lobster for $20 & am very interested in owning one. I've read that it is ok as long as i have fishes that swim fast but would like to hear from peeps w/actual experience before i plunk down $20 for one of these.

Also, will the blue lobster mess up my aquarium? (pick up plants, dig a lot, etc.)

[Wippit Guud]

Kinda split on some of this. If the guppies are just regulars, the betta will probably end up killing the females. Basically he'll squeeze them to death trying to mate. If the guppies are fancy, he'll be looking to kill all the males, big wavy tails are like red capes to a bull.

With ye olde crayfish, he'll dig a little, but mine is in a sand tank, dunno how he'd go with gravel. As long as their fake plats he'll be ok, he'll redecorate a little til he has a home, then he leaves most of the other stuff alone.

As for what is a potential easy target... the betta's will get nipped a lot, and the cories will most likely end up being lunch. Don't believe that it's just slow fish that are a meal, mine took a black neon tetra within the first few days. Mind you, mine's also only in a 10g, size may make a difference.

As for what to replace in fish, I just suggest leaving out the male betta, he'll cause more problems.

[Aquarius0015]

Also, male bettas don't mix terribly well with females. Of course, they have to be put in the same tank for breeding, but it would probably be too stressful on a permanent basis. Faith from www.bettatalk.com strongly advises against mixing males with females except for breeding.

Edit: I just saw that would wanted a pleco. Since they often lay motionless near the bottom for hours, they too will likely become a target for the lobster.

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Ok, no lobster (he looks so cool though - one day).

Ok, so I can't mix betta w/guppies. If I keep guppies, what larger fishes can I replace betta with? Bosemani rainbow? How many?

If I take out guppies & keep betta, what should I replace guppies w/? I'd like something colorful. Maybe I could do white cloud minnows w/neon tetras.

[Wippit Guud]

Well really, the only problem fish is the single male betta, so the female bettas and the guppies together would be fine.

So, since it seems you might want a single showcase fish to go with the rest... how about 1 gourami? Maybe a pearl or something...

[mpx]

or how is this, 1 melanchromis johanni (electric blue), 3 electric yellows, 3 snow whites, and 10 tiger barbs.

Does this setup sound good?

[Captain Hook]

No comment on the cichlids cause I don't really know anything about them. I do like tiger barbs but would probably decrease the number to 6-8 for that tank.

If you do end up getting guppies you are going to have a ridiculous amount of babies. They are the most insane breeding fish I have ever seen. You will want at least 2 females for every male. You might be better off getting maybe 4 or 5 males and that's it.

[Uncle Bete]

the tank, how long is it?

if it's 3' or more it might be possible?

Go over to the cichlid forum and ask them about this set-up.

But just out of curiosity. Whats a snow white?