Best fish for a newbie?

The cory's can be different (though they most prefer their own kind and I think a school of the same fish look best aesthtically).

Gouramis I'm not sure about. You might be able to have a couple of males of the same kind, in a big tank, but gouramis can be awfully territorial and one would get picked on. I'd get one male, two or three females of the same species. (three spot or dwarf and any of its color morphs would work well).

Some kind of bigger tetra might work with the listed fish. Maybe some small cichlids (I'm just guessing, I really don't know much about cichlids). Maybe some of the non-bitesized livebearers (platies are really colorful, I adore the orange ones).
 
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You can get a variety of colors with Platies and from my experience with them, they are pretty much calm fish. I would keep 1 male to 3 or more females and when the conditions are right they will produce babies and you will always have a supply of color.

Emaan
 
they will produce babies and you will always have a supply of color.

And/or an endless supply of live food ;) The fry make a great food source for other fish as well as being interesting. Since you seem to be gravitating towards different/multicolored fish, platies would work extremely well. They come in a myraid of bright colors, get along well with others, and are hardy.
 
gouramis aren't such a good idea together they don't do well with other gouramis. But if there are any acceptions they would be the dwarf gourami, and the pearl gourami, both of which are stunning fish. You still have to be a little cautious with dwarves but there usually isn't a problem, if it becomes a problem just take one back to the store if you can.
 
Gouramis, esp dwarves, tend to be territorial. In a 37 gallon tank with some plants or other decorations as sight line blocks and hiding spots a couple of male dwarves will generally work fine. You will be very hard pressed to actually find female gouramis. Most fish stores do not carry them as they are not the prettiest fish around.

Platies are colourful and generally hardy. Also guppies can add a splash of colour as well. Either get all males or else 2-3 females per male of live bearers. All males is an easy way to go.
 
Ok, update after looking at your helpful replies....

4 Assorted Platys
6 Turquoise Danios
2 Neon Blue Dwarf Gouramis
4 Swartz's Cory Cats
2 Black Mystery Snails
2 Ramshorn Snails

Is this a good colorful and lively mix that will work well together? Also, I've read that the Platys need Java Fern or Java Moss. We would like to plant that if needed, but do we need some type of substrate for the plants to grow in, or will they grow on the rocks and ornaments?
Thank you for your help and time!
 
That's a good mix you have there, may I suggest adding shrimp? As for the Java fern and Java moss, they do not need any special care at all. They will grow on ANYTHING. You can attach either to a rock. and after a while it will stick there. If you want to attach it to an object use a rubber band or fishing line for a few weeks. Then it'll be there for as long as you want it to be.
 
Platies are hardy, they don't need plants particularly (they might nibble on them if they get hungry and like all small fish they apperciate the cover), but you'll want to have a lot of java moss if you plan on saving some of the baby platies. If they don't have some place to dash to and hide after being born, they'll quickly become lunchmeat.

I've been talking to some people on another board and pennywort might make a good floating plant as well. The gouramis who will probably linger around the top of the tank a lot, will apperciate the floating cover.
 
Platies all the way! Mollies are cool too but they like salt in the water, a bit like a brackishwater fish.
 
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