Building a community from Platys

[WebSwim]

Hi All,
I've just set myself up with a 25G tank and populated it with 4 platys. Once the ammonia/nitr*te levels have settled down I'd like to build a community.

I know that livebearers need salt added, so does this mean that my whole community must consist of livebearers? I was thinking of adding a school (6) of tetras and a couple of barbs maybe?

Also, since I shouldn't increase the load too much at once, would adding 6 tetras at once be too much? What's the best way to add a school?

thanks,
WebSwim

[TKOS]

Platys need no salt added to their water. My platies are doing just fine in regualr tap water and have been for close to a year and have breed as well. NaCl serves no purpose but as a medication.

That being said platies can do well with most peaceful fish. tetras, raspboras, cory catfish, smaller loaches, and SAE are all good choices.

Barbs can be a little on the aggressive side but cherry barbs in a school of 5 or so might be fine.

[snakeskinner]

it all depends on what kind of barb you get. Most people are talking about tiger barbs. You need at least 4 or 5 of them to keep them from killing eachother and everyone else. As tkos mentioned, cherry barbs would be a better choice. I think maybe gold barbs would be ok in a pair and wouldn't be aggressive but I'm not positive on that. Kyle

[davidaguiar]

I have a 29G tank that I started with 4 playts. They have been doing just fine with regular tap water. I would suggest adding no more than two or three fish at a time. They should do fine for a couple of weeks by themselves until you add some more. I also have Juliii corys, red eyed tetras and harlequin rasboras.

[WebSwim]

Thanks for the advice guys. Have been doing a lot more web research. Looking like next purchase will be some corys, probably Panda Corys, then a pair of bigger fish (4" or so, amybe Pearl Gouramis) and finally another school of small guys. Still researching though ;-)

[TKOS]

I would aim for 3-5 cories. 3 is a minimum for these schoolers. From what I understand the panda cories are not super hardy so make sure to do a very slow acclimation (up to 2 hours with added tank water) and for the first while do lots of water changes to keep pollutants down to a minimum.

[boyohboy]

Originally posted by WebSwim
Looking like next purchase will be some corys, probably Panda Corys....

WebSwim, I have those Panda Cory too, they are so cute !!:D You may also consider Pymgy Cory, they are only 1" max so you can get like a dozen of them :D They are abit more active then the "regular" size cory and like to swim among the plant leaves too.