Tankmates for guppies

[pbecot01]

Hey guys... I have my new 30 set up and am still trying to decide on fishes. I need suggestions!

The tank will be heavily planted with the plants being the showcase. It's also a "tall" tank and has eco-complete substrate and a LOT of light. PH will be variable since I'll be injecting CO2.

I want lots of little fish to give the tank a "busy" feel to contrast my large angelfish tank. My first thought was to go with a bunch of guppies (feed the fry to my bigger fishes... should be pretty nutritious!). However, the more I think of it the more I think I should add some other fishes as well.

So, the following fish have been considered... oto's, neons, kuhli loaches, cory's, cherry barbs, and maybe something in the 3-4 inch range to get the neons to school (if it works that way... haven't tried it). So, if you were me... what would you do here (and things I haven't thought of are just as good for suggestions!)

 

[HYPERASHEL]

could go with Mollies and Platies and still feed the young to your larger tank(s)

 

[Gambusia]

Neons and endlers livebearers

 

[hurricanejedi]

I would think barbs would be fin-nippers. How about a school of cardinals? And maybe dwarf gouramis would go well too.

 

[tricksterpup]

Neons and endlers livebearers

I would not go with Endlers, they would mix and breed with the guppies.

 

[Clurin]

How about some Praecox rainbows?

Image from http://www.thegoldfishbowl.co.uk/atherinidae.html

 

[Red Tailed Wonder]

Amano shrimp,bala sharks,ram,clown loach

 

[jadefoodog]

in all honesty guppies would waste the whole planted theme

i agree with whoever said tetras

id love to take a tank and heavli plant it and add like 14 von rio flames and 8 phantom tetras along with shrimp and some cories

all the fish would look natural and the dark phantoms would contrast the bright red flames beautifully but that would take a larger tank

im planning on planting out my 5 g and keeping just a pair of serpea tetras in it with about 6 shrimp .

 

[thesydmonster]

I think some colorful tetras (cardinals?) would look nice but it depends what you are going for. In my planted 39 gallon tank I have guppies, 3 zebra loaches, 3 ottos, 1 male albino bushy nose pleco and some nerite snails. It is a fun, busy, colorful tank and no one bothers the plants. I don't know if the business at all levels of the tank that guppies have would take away from your plants. In my 29 gallon planted tank I have rasbora espei (top to mid dwellers) and some kuhli loaches. It is also a nice tank but a little more sedate. Also, the rasboras school together, it's a nice sight.

Good luck and have fun

 

[Emg]

Whatever else you put in there, I'd add a nice shoal of cories for the bottom of the tank. They do great work keeping the substrate tidy looking with all the sifting around that they do.