TFA101

The scenario I'm in:

I just finished stocking the new 50 gallon and it currently holds about 45.5" inches of fish. I want to top it off so that the tank isn't overstocked, or perfect 50". Any suggestions for a "centerpiece"? I was thinking along the lines of Pearl Gourami...

Requirements:

-Must be "Cardinal tetras-Friendly"
-Mustn't be "Black Skirt-Vulnerable"
-Size of around 3"-4.5"
-Something that says "The fish world rox, but i rock the most!"
-A good "centerpiece" fish


any suggestions?

Wolfgang8810

either ruby rams or german rams would be good

TFA101

Aren't rams a social type of Cichlid? Or can they be kept singly?

steveangela1

If I remember correctly you can keep 1 blue ram by itself, you might be able to get by w/ 2 of them they are not very big at all adult size.

Coryd55

A type of gourami sounds great. Pearl or golden IMHO. Rams need specific and really good water conditions and can be hard to keep.

Gouramis look good in planted tanks and look good with black skirts and cardinals.

Wolfgang8810

rams can be by themselves its only when housing more that you would want more females than males 2f to1m

TFA101

So, if im not mistaken, I understand pearl gouramis are one of the larger gourami. Just about 4" for a single male, right? If so, the tank is complete. Though a little advice for a first time gourami keeper would be appreciated too!

Wolfgang8810

the ones with the long pointy dorsal fins are males and the ones witht he short round dorsal fins are females. They are labyrinth fish so dont use any melafix in the tank. um..... other than that they are prettymuch as easy as it gets to take care of.

TFA101

isnt Melafix that fungus stuff that smells like Vapo-Rub? Anyways, why they so sensitive to that stuff? Is it the labryinth

TFA101

Okay, I think I've got it. But I ain't sure what to choose. I've come to these species.

Pearl Gourami >> Single Male
German Ram >> Single Male
Golden Gourami >> 1 Male
Blue Cosby Gourami >> 1 Male

Which one meets the standards @ the start of the thread the best? What should I choose?

susitna-flower

I wouldn't choose the ram, not that they aren't lovely, but since your tank will be fully stocked, they are a bit shy in feeding, and will not survive when stressed by other fish, or if the water conditions aren't just right.

Coryd55

I would pick the Gold Gourami

Wolfgang8810

labyrinth fish use a special organ on top of their head to breathe and the melafix will mess up that organ and the fish will drown basicly

TFA101

Alright, I cant put down the darn paper. I've changed the cardinals to neons to save up space and the total gives me about nine inches to play around with. I saw some beautiful Sterbai Cories and Celestial Pearl Danios Down at an awesome fish store. Are celestial, eing under an inch, compatibke with any of these: Black Tetras (w/ Established Pecking order), Neon Tetras, Cories, and small gouramies?

Coryd55

I think the cories would be a good idea but the elegance of the celestials would take away from the gourami. If you want some nice looking cory's the sterbai's are good and also the longfin variations are beautiful:

http://www.aquabid.com/cgi-bin/aucti...shc&1210016025

http://www.aquabid.com/cgi-bin/aucti...shc&1209854970

TFA101

hmmm, do black neons school comfortably with neons?

Coryd55

I don't think they school with them but they will school with their own species within a tank I believe.