I'd go with the 2 honey gouramis instead of the dwarf gourami. I'd also ditch the Pleco which can get a bit large for a tank that size and will add quite a bit to the bioload.
90 Litre Tank Stocking
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Even if it's a bristlenose? I've read that they are much smaller than comon plecos, they only get to a size of about 5". I've checked it on Aqadvisor, but obviously that's not 100% accurate. My current stocking is a bristlenose pleco, 6-8 harlequin rasbora, 2 small apistogramma (maybe cockatoo cichlids otherwise known as apistogramma cacatuoides or maybe apistogramma borelli), 6 panda cory and a dwarf gourami. It says i'm at 91% stocking and 116% filtration capacity with an extra filter but obviously it isn't 100% accurate.
Byron Amazonas
AC Members
You do not want a dwarf gourami in with this combination.
Most Apistogramma species form harems (one male, with 2-3 females). Spawning will obviously be regular, and a 23g is small space for this plus the other fish. The corys are likely to bear the brunt of the female's anger when she is protecting eggs/fry. And if you do have the bristlesnose, the eggs or if they hatch the fry will almost certainly be eaten during darkness. Corys will do this too; I have never had fry survive past day 2 or 3 with corys present, and this was in much larger tanks too.
What would you recommend then? A harem of apistogramma and more harlequins? I suppose it would look quite nice but personally I prefer a few more species and less of them than a couple of species and more as IMO it makes a more interesting tank. To be honest, I'm not too bothered about whether the fry survive or not. It may seem a bit cruel but I've heard that most fishes colours are more vivid when breeding so that's why I'm thinking of a pair. All I'm really trying to do, is make this a colourful, interesting, fairly easily maintained tank whilst still keeping it understocked. Are there any other fish you could recommend for a colourful paired or single fish? I've looked at pearl gouramis but they're too big, I've looked at Kribensis and they're too aggressive whilst breeding and although Rams look great, I don't really want to have to fiddle about with the water chemistry. I know Bolivian Rams are a bit more tolerant but most of the Rams in the fish shops I have been to are just labelled Rams or Assorted Rams. If you had any ideas, they would be much appreciated.
I think you just don't have a large enough aquarium to house an aggressive breeding pair (or harem) of dwarf apistos along with several other species. It sounds to me that you would be happier with a single apisto or unmated pair, along with the other bottom dwellers and schooling fish you desire. Kribs and other dwarf apistos are still quite attractive when unmated and the tank will be much more peaceful.
If I were to get a single Krib or single apisto instead of the pair, and up the number of corys to eight and the number of rasbora to ten, would that be OK? Would a male or a female be better? On Aqadvisor it says that that's 91% stocked with a Cockatoo Apisto or 90% stocked with a Kribensis. Would two male or two female Kribs be OK? I imagine that the latter would be easier as they are probably less aggressive but I don't know. Or what about one of each i.e. one Krib and one Apisto? (If i were to get two of anything, I'd lower the number of rasbora to eight again). BTW, is the dwarf gourami OK with these combinations or would it be too aggressive? And is the brsitlenose pleco actually too big for my tank or would it be OK? I know that's a lot of questions but I'm getting my aquarium in a few days and I want to sort out what I'm definitely getting so I can just go into the shop and go "I want one of those".
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Byron Amazonas
AC Members
You seem unwilling to accept my advice, but you do not want a gourami and cichlid together especially in so small a tank. The 12 rasbora and 8 corys would fill a 20g and be a good mix.
Kribensis attain 4 inches male and 3 inches female. There is not sufficient space with the other fish too. And the Dwarf Gourami is a risk unless you get it from a reliable breeder. The Bristlenose could manage, but I wouldn't here.
Sorry, it's not that I was unwilling to accept your advice, I just didn't realise that you had said not to mix the gourami and kribensis. I apologise. I do have a reliable breeder near me though so I may get a Dwarf Gourami from there. Would the corys. rasbora and gourami be ok? Or maybe less rasbora (about 6-8ish) and less corys (6) and a Kribensis? I know you said there would not be sufficient space with the other fish but I'm not sure if you meant with the current numbers or just with the other fish in general. If the latter is what you meant, just say so. Also, why would you choose not to get a bristlenose (just curious)?
Byron Amazonas
AC Members
It is sometimes difficult to pin down this and that because there are so many factors involved. And there will always be those who have (or say they have had) success with mixing various fish. Fish managing and fish being in the best environment are very different things. I still say a 20g is not sufficient space for a kribensis with other fish. If you can obtain good dwarf gourami, a trio of one male and two females is best. You could have a group of the Harlequin Rasbora (7-8), and 6-7 of the panda corys. Though as I said earlier, the pandas like some water movement, and neither the gourami nor the rasbora should have to fight currents. This problem of current is easier to solve in larger tanks as you can have stronger flow at one end for the fish that need this, with no movement to speak of at the other. In my 5-foot tank I see different fish remaining in certain areas due to their preference for water movement. When one experiences this, it becomes clear why such things are so important to fish health.
On the Bristlenose, I suppose it is just that I would like to see it in a larger space than in with all these fish in what is still a small volume of water.
