Question

[PurePerfection]

My nephew has a 5 gallon mini-bow tank that has cycled and he has one albino cory catfish in it. He would like to add 1 Male Lyretail Guppy, 1 Male Orange Sunshine Guppy, 1 male Green Cobra Guppy, 1 Male Blue Cobra Guppy. Any problems there? Please don't tell me how corys like groups either, I know this, however, in tanks less than 20 gallons they don't shoal up anyways so less than 3 can be gotten away with.

 

[patoloco]

Leaving the cories aside, you might encountre some problems.

First, you are probably going to put male guppies (for these are more colorful than females) and this is likely to end up in a lot of figtihng among them.

Second: you can add 2 males and 3 females to keep the dudes happy, but this will most likely result in a lot of baby guppies.

I'd go against stocking with guppies, but if that what you want, wait for some more advice. Someone might show up with better news.

 

[PurePerfection]

Well We don't want fry that's the reason for males. The three males I have in my 5.5 gallon get along fine and even swim together. There's also a pair of albino corys though. Should I maybe tell him just to pick two out of the list of guppies then? Could he do 2 guppies, sunset honey gourami, albino cory or 2?

 

[patoloco]

Even though that is a very small fish, the honey gourami should go at least in a 10 gl. setup.

If you have had succes with your selection of guppies and you are confident enough, then give it a try and watch very closely their behaviour.

PATOLOCO's advice: (Against what you asked for)

Get the cory some company, or take him of of his loneliness and move it to your tank, where there will be 3 of them.
Then, get the empty tank, put some plants (either live of fake) to help reduce agression and go with the guppies.

 

[PurePerfection]

He may get another cory, I personaly believe a pair is needed. I don't think my tank has the room to add another Albino cory, it's only 5.5 gallon

 

[Genral72]

I'm sorry to say this but please don't say well it worked before and my fish were very happy.Take pataloco's advice he is very knowledgable(plus the fact that he is right)

 

[PurePerfection]

I'm sorry to say this but please don't say well it worked before and my fish were very happy.Take pataloco's advice he is very knowledgable(plus the fact that he is right)

What are you refering too? I've kept guppies all my life and all males and never saw them fight. I was basicly asking if he could have that many males. I know 2 will work in that small of a tank

 

[Marinemom]

In that setup, I would go with three male guppies and the cory. You should be fine. Sometimes a certain fish develops an attitude problem and then there may be fighting among them. It seems it only takes one to get the group to fight. Just see how it goes. If there is fighting, than you can always return one of the guppies or relocate him to another tank. Hope this helps.

Be happy!

Marinemom

 

[PurePerfection]

Okay got him another albino cory today, he didn't want it but I convinced him because I believe they have to be in at least pairs. In any event we'll be getting his guppies today Start with three and see if there is any problems

 

[TKOS]

Pick up some test kits as well, or at least make sure to do water changes every couyple of days to keep the ammonia and nitrites low while the cycle is completing. Cories are pretty sensitive to bad water.

If you added a couple of easy to grow plants (say java fern) this will help fill out the tank and make it seem less empty. Newbies often want more and more fish so it looks like the tank at the fish store, some live plants will help with that (plus help keep the water cleaner).