fishfox

Hi there. I set up a new 10 gallon aquarium a few days ago and today added a red flame gourami and a panda cory. The tank is 76 degrees.

I asked for help with selecting my new fish at the pet store and they told me this would be a good start. Now I'm reading more about the fish and feel having only one panda cory is wrong. They said to return in a few days and they would test the water for me. The panda cory is entirely inactive unlike he was at the store with his group and I'm worried about it being alone but also know I'm not supposed to add new fish yet. The gourami is active and seems happy. Maybe I should just go buy another panda?

Appreciate any feedback!

tom28

normally i hear they like to be kept in 3s at the least but you dont have to much room to work with in a 10 gal...you could always return it and get a really small pleco like a bristle nose or clown since they dont mind being alone. but i do warn you they do hid all the time!

CHoffman

Welcome to Fishlore...Congrads on the new tank.

I wouldn't suggest getting a small pleco for a 10 gallon..I just think they get to big even being the smaller of the plecos and have a big bio load...

Cories do like to be in schools of at least 3 but right now your tank isn't cycled and it's not safe to add any more fish...

You have a couple of options..You can take all your fish back and do a fishless cycle which is super easy and we would all help you out
or you can cycle with the fish in the tank...Here is a link you can read that will help you understand what the cycle is http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

If you choose to cycle with fish you'll need a test kit..I would recommend getting the API liquid master test kit..It's very accurate and overall cheaper...You'll need to do daily 50% Waterchanges to keep the ammonia and nitrite from harming your fish. If you can use Prime or Stress Coat plus as a water conditioner..They make the ammonia and nitrite safe for the fish for 24 hours..but still allow it to be used by the bacteria..

This can all be a little over whelming at first but good for you for asking questions and trying to do what's right..Just keep asking questions on things you dont' understand and you'll pick up on it pretty fast. Good luck.

Franklin

Since you are new to keeping fish,I would take back the ones you have and do a fishless cycle.Once the cycle has completed,and if gourami and cories are what you want,I would get 1 dwarf gourami,and no less then 4 of the panda cories.That will fully stock your tank.

agabr123

welcome to fishlore

for your tank, three panda cories and a dwarf gourami would be great, however as the above posters have said your tank is going through the nitrogen cycle, and at this point it may be easier for you and the fish to return them, get through your cycle by adding a source of ammonia until you get readings of 0ppm ammonia, 0ppm nitrite, and 5-20ppm nitrate, and then think about getting new fish.

for more ideas of what you can stock, i wrote a guide that you can use
Work In Progress: Freshwater Community Stocking List