Re the guppies:
I have about eighteen guppies in a 10 gallon tank (I know it's crowded, but it's right in the kitchen and gets HUGE water changes), with about 1 male for every two females. They've been in the tank since September. The tank is pretty heavily decorated with both fake and live plants.
I have had NO guppy fry since the fish have been put in the tank. I know the gups have been getting pregnant and giving birth, but not a single fry has survived. The fish just gobble them up! So, considering that, and knowing the appetite of the dwarf gourami that I keep in my community tank, I'd guess that overcrowding with guppies will be something you won't have to worry about.
And, should it become an issue, several of the privately owned LFS's in my area buy guppies, if they're fancy.
And don't worry about asking seemingly silly questions! They're all very important - I know what you mean about not wanting to make mistakes.
I have about eighteen guppies in a 10 gallon tank (I know it's crowded, but it's right in the kitchen and gets HUGE water changes), with about 1 male for every two females. They've been in the tank since September. The tank is pretty heavily decorated with both fake and live plants.
I have had NO guppy fry since the fish have been put in the tank. I know the gups have been getting pregnant and giving birth, but not a single fry has survived. The fish just gobble them up! So, considering that, and knowing the appetite of the dwarf gourami that I keep in my community tank, I'd guess that overcrowding with guppies will be something you won't have to worry about.
And, should it become an issue, several of the privately owned LFS's in my area buy guppies, if they're fancy.
And don't worry about asking seemingly silly questions! They're all very important - I know what you mean about not wanting to make mistakes.