Suggestions for showcase fish - 2 tanks

[vtx-coley]

I want to add a couple of fish to both my tanks.

The first tank is a 20H currently stocked with 6 corys, 2 platys, and 5 Danios, plastic plants and gravel. I'd like to add a pair of something. I was thinking of German Blue Rams, but I've read they are difficult fish to keep and might be beyond my experience level. I'm pretty new...my first year in this hobby, but I've learned a lot and keep on top of maintenance. My pH is a little high, 7.6. The tank is also in a high traffic area in my living room, so timid fish might have a problem.

With the other tank I'm looking to add just one. It's a 10 gallon, lightly planted in a quite room with black sand substrate. I have 6 Panda Corys and a very skittish male Platy. I recently lost his friend, a male Betta. They got along great, but I'm a little afraid of introducing another one because I might not be so lucky this time. I was looking at a male Dwarf Gourami. The Panda are very small right now and they will probably be moved in a couple months.

I'd want to add colorful showcase fish to both tanks. So, what's your ideas?

Oh....and I keep both tank around 76*.

Thanks,

 

[Star_Rider]

with the 20H I would stay away from more bottom dwellers.
the rams will fight with others that occupy 'their' level and the 20 h has a smaller footprint than a 20 long.

you might try beefing up your cory school as they will act more natural in a larger school or get more danios(another schooling species.)

also the GBR's are a warm water species(82-86) while they can 'survive' at cooler temps they won't 'thrive'.

they make a good pairing with discus ..which also require warm, clean water.

as for the 10 I would hesitate to add more since you already have a school of panda cories.

 

[vtx-coley]

I didn't realize they were bottom dwellers. Your right...they are out.

As for the Pandas....they are going to be moved.

 

[Star_Rider]

gonna stick them in the 20 with the others?

I still would rather put a dwarf gourami in a 20 but I like larger tanks (a 20 is a small tank in my book) but you could pull of the dwarf gourami in the 10.

 

[vtx-coley]

No. I'm going to add a 20 long....I'm not sure what I want to put in there besides the Pandas yet. I thought about the DG's in the 20H, but I read they are a bit shy and skittish. The tank is where all the action is in my house and I have a 3 year old that's a ball of fire.

None of this is set in stone. I want to think everything out first. Things might change.

I'd love to get bigger tanks....I look at them for sale everyday and think of what I can do to fit one in somewhere. The problem is I don't have the room. I have small spaces here and there.

You think I can add the Pandas in the 20H without it being over stocked? I think it might be on the edge. I have a Penguin 150 and a AC 20 for filters and I run an air pump all the time.