Beeker

My 20 gal long tropical live planted tank is full of Platys. They are cute, bold, curious, etc. But, I cannot keep any other fish in that tank as long as they are in there because they are multiplying like crazy. It is nice to have a perpetually full tank and not have to worry about going to the store to buy more fish, but it is a single species and I would like a little more variety. The tank has been established for about 10 years, and has been all platys for about 6 of them. I have a 10 gal that I could keep a few in if I ever feel like replenishing the 20 with platys again, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to bring some to the pet store and let them sell them or not. It seems kind of cruel to uproot them and send them to a place that will most likely mistreat them and then sell them to other people who will most likely mistreat them too. What do you think?
As far as my ideas for a more varied population, I was thinking of 5 Platys or Tetras, 1 Dwarf Gourami or a GBR, 1 Clown Pleco, and 2 or 3 Sparkling Gouramis.

10gallonmadness

Well if you trust your LFS and value there care then I would say if you need to, go do it. But I'm sure you could find a friend or someone who you KNOW will take good care of them...
I think that's a good stocking list.

Lucy

Hi Beeker, Sparklers are great little fish. I love mine! The are shy and can get aggressive during spawning, like most fish.
I'm not sure about the compatablity of Sparklers and DG's. Besides, DG's have been having a lot of problems lately.

The Thick Lipped Gourami is supposed to be hardier and not as aggressive as DG's. Mine resembles a Honey in looks but gets a little larger.
I just got him a few days ago and so far he's been fine with my celetial pearl danios.
Time will tell, I guess. But again, I don't know about mixing Gourami species.

My Sparklers are in with cardinals glowlights and C. habrosus. They chase the others away during spawning, but there's never any real aggression or damage.
They did get too aggressive with a 3rd Sparkler and a Guppy, both of them had to be moved to another tank.

My GBR's were fine with Cardinals. Sadly, I had no luck keeping them (GBR's)alive.

Beeker

I've been wanting Sparkling Gouramis for a long time. That is why I got the tank 10 years ago. Which would get along better, a DG with sparklers or a GBR? I know mixing Gouramis isn't a good idea, but the profiles say that both species are peaceful and have done well together. That is the only reason I even considered it. I also thought of Kribs, I would like to have those, but I heard that they are a bit too aggressive.

Beeker

Which would get along better in the tank: Dwarf Gourami, GBR, or Krib?

I presume either the Dwarf Gourami or the GBR. Please advise.

bolivianbaby

Is your aquarium info correct? If so, I think you'd be safe with one of any of those. If you decide to get a pair of rams, or kribs they may fight each other. The DG would definitely need to be the only DG in the tank.

Hope this helps.

Beeker

My info is correct now.

I read that Kribs were better in a species only tank. I also read that 1 DG and a couple of SGs would be okay because they are both peaceful types of Gouramis. I know that some things can be misleading, that is why I'm asking first. I'm leaning towards a GBR or a Krib, but I definitely want the SGs. What do you think?

Also, please clarify the information I read on the profiles for the DG, SG, Krib, and GBR. Thank you for your advice and information.

Beeker

Any thoughts?