Griffey

Hi there, it's been a while. I used to have 6 red-eye tetras, and for a while they were doing very well Unfortunately my tank crashed while I was on a school trip and I've lost most of them.

My tank is back in good health, well-established, a little algae-ish but that should clear up soon.

I decided I'd like to try something different than the red-eyes. Right now I've added 3 peppered cory cats. They have taken a liking to the place and are doing well.

I'd like to know what would be the best choice of fish to round out the tank? Preferably something that occupies the mid to high tank levels, since the cories are basically bottom-bound. I'm open to any and all suggestions.

Lucy

You could try a betta. Always with a betta, you should have a 5g back up tank in case he doesn't like the cories.

Crimsonbull57

Check out 2 Dwarf Gouramis, 3 Sparkiling gouramis or 2peacock gobys
Maybe add another corry and check out som amano's for the algae

Lucy

I would worry that 2 DG's would have aggression issues in a 10. I don't know enough about Sparkling Gouramis or gobys.

peacemaker92

I agree with Lucy on the 2 DG. You CAN get a betta. But of course you'll need a backup tank. You could get a Gourami and some more Corycats? When I mean 'a Gourami' I mean only one because more than that could cause aggression problems nobody wants.

Keep us posted on what fish you choose

Griffey

A gourami sounds like a nice centerpiece! In any case I won't be getting any more fish for at least a week, so if anyone else has suggestions please tell me, I am open to anything.

Jaysee

Most notho killis stay small (2 inches), don't fight and come in some beautiful colors and patterns. You could get a couple different pairs to go with a betta, but a mean betta might not have it.

If you want some different tetras, von rios are a great looking fish and easy to keep, so maybe them and a dwarf gourami.

Chameleon fish (Badis badis) are cool little fish that are like tiny cichlids that change color with their mood. They spawn and protect their fry just like cichlids, but stay under 2 inches. I just freed up a 10 and am getting a pair. You could do them and some zebra danios.

ATKINSON

Even some bigger species such as a kissing gourami wont fit into that tank setup. I presume you are only refering to the dwarf gourami, sparkling gourami and the honey gourami( not sure about the scientific name) and maybe a few other small species I forgot to mention.

aquarist48

Hello Griffey. Sorry to hear about your fish loss. You've been given some good suggestions above. Congrats on the new Cory's!
Ken

peacemaker92

yes yes. Not all types of Gouramies are small enough to fit in a 10 gallon. Just have to think the obvious

Crimsonbull57

If you got a Male and Female Dwarf gourami you should have little or no trouble with agression. They may even create a bubble nest and breed. Is this tank going to be planted?

Jaysee

Finding female dwarf gouramis is VERY difficult. They are very drab and colorless (compared to the male) so they don't sell as well. That being said, two dwarf gouramis in a 10, regarless of sex, is going to create aggression issues. IME the only exception to this is the honey gourami, whish is smaller and much more docile than the regular dwarves.

peacemaker92

I agree with Jaysee on the aggression of any Gourami if in a pair. They would either be aggressive towards each other and/or towards other fish. If a male and female, the male would probably be the most aggressive because he'd be guarding the nest. So yeah, one Gourami in a community tank would be safer.

iloveengl

I agree with Jaysee. Two DG, even if it's male and female, are not at all likely to do well in that size & will more likely stress the other to death, rather than mate.

However, I have two honey gourami (not the same as regular dwarf gourami, or the golden gourami) in my 12g; they are beyond docile and they max at 1.7 inches. They are great together! They're both males (females are about impossible to find), but they show zero aggression to each other or to the gups, oto, or snails. If the tank is heavily planted (even with fake), then they will eventually feel safe and will come out all over the tank and be super cute. Mine are bright canary yellow with bright orange tips along the edges of their fins. (They will look really dull in the store, but they super brighten up with proper care and you'll really notice the orange flame in them.)

Well, that's just my opinion and I'm clearly biased toward the little guys, but they seem like the perfect fish for a small tank.

GL!!!

Jaysee

I've successfully kept two male honey gouramis in a 10 as well, with zero aggression.

ATKINSON

Just checking.