I started my 30G aquarium (I keep it filled to the brim, so it's probably got 36G a a practical matter) 6 months ago with the idea of creating a peaceful Woodstock-type environment for a diverse freshwater community. After cycling the tank and purchasing only purportedly peaceful freshwater community species, I have been very dismayed by frequent Rodney King scenarios. It started with male Gold Dust Mollies, who apparently live by the rule that within any given aquarium, any other male molly's tail fin must immediately be repeatedly bitten and destroyed.
Sunset Fire Platies apparently live by the same rule, but with top fins also added to their cannibal's menu. A Kissing Pink Gourami turns out to be a greedy bully who attacks mollies at feeding time in order to hog all the food for itself - never mind the fact that there is plenty of food for everyone. A second Kissing Pink Gourami (I'm now guessing they are both males) was even worse, bullying not only the mollies but also the first gourami. Then I added Van Rios Tetras and found that they apparently spend their whole lives chasing and trying to bite each other (but without success). Serpae Tetras are a little better, but still uncomfortably aggressive. Guppies were peaceful but for some reason don't seem to survive more than a few weeks. Glassfish (clear, non-painted) are also peaceful but don't survive more than a few weeks.
The tank has three large ornaments with plenty of hiding places and is kept at a constant 77.4 degrees F, with weekly 6G water changes (containing 4 tsp Stress-Coat and 4-8 tsp non-iodized plain salt) and a Marineland Penguin 350 power filter. Diet is mainly crushed flakes of Big Al's Staple Flake Food - I haven't yet found a fish that doesn't like it; even the glassfish (which allegedly don't like flakes) ate it right up! I sometimes use frozen brine shrimp cubes as a treat, but the ill-mannered Van Rios Tetras go into a shark-like feeding frenzy for this food, and hardly anyone else can even come close enough to get a taste.
The only species I have found so far that is clearly visually appealing, low-maintenance, easily able to survive, and 100% gentle is the Neon Tetra. I just got some Bloodfin Tetras, which also seem (so far) to be non-aggressive and healthy.
Is there a list someplace of Genuine(tm) Nonaggressive Community Freshwater Fish Species, all of which have fully internalized the Woodstock approach to life and have absolutely no desire to bite, chase, kill, or otherwise stress out their tankmates?
Bonus points if the species is easy to breed and it has exemplary parental manners (don't eat your own or your neighbor's children, etc.).
