75 Gallon Centerpiece

Hello everyone! I have a long 75 gallon fish tank that I would love to add one or a few "centerpiece" fish to in a few months (tank is only 5 months old & currently focusing on adding live plants for Neons). Currently I have 17 Neon Tetras and 8 Cory Cats (Albino & Panda) in the tank. I'm playing around with the idea of getting another GBR. I had one about 2 years ago that I loved so very much! My only issue is I'm concerned my Cory Cats will be a nuisance or vice versa. I've got several hiding places in different parts of the tank, sand substrate, and will be adding tall live plants shortly for my Neons. The temperature in my tank stays at around 76-78F for my Neons and Cory Cats so I need a fish who will be able to live happily at that temperature.

 

Neon tetras do not like high temperatures and should be kept in temperatures below 75f.

 

Neons and panda corydoras are not temperature compatible with a german ram. Neons do best around 72-74 and pandas a little warmer than that (around 75 or so). German rams are better at 80F or warmer. At least 78F. So no overlap.

As far as corydoras, 8 cory cats split between 2 species is not enough. I'd get at least 6-8 of each species. They will be more comfortable with increased numbers of their own kind.

For a centerpiece, it's going to be rather difficult to pick some that won't eat your neons. A group of bolivian rams or apistogramma borelliI may be a good match. They aren't going to get big but they do prefer the cooler water that the neons and panda corydoras do.

 

Thanks for the advice! I'll take a look at the borelli's!
Side note: I've had Neon Tetras for years and I've never kept them below 76F. I actually had Neon Tetras with my GBR at 76-78F in my 65 gallon with no problems. Everyone was healthy, active, and vibrant. I'm not saying either of you are wrong but I've never had an issue with any of my tanks when keeping it relatively warm.

 

Neons and panda corydoras are not temperature compatible with a german ram. Neons do best around 72-74 and pandas a little warmer than that (around 75 or so). German rams are better at 80F or warmer. At least 78F. So no overlap.

As far as corydoras, 8 cory cats split between 2 species is not enough. I'd get at least 6-8 of each species. They will be more comfortable with increased numbers of their own kind.

For a centerpiece, it's going to be rather difficult to pick some that won't eat your neons. A group of bolivian rams or apistogramma borelliI may be a good match. They aren't going to get big but they do prefer the cooler water that the neons and panda corydoras do.

Yes, I know about the Corys needing a group. I'm working on getting more Panda Corys. They only had 3 at the store when I was purchasing and now I'm waiting for 3 or more to come in. I've also got notifications ready on liveaquaria to let me know if they get any Pandas as well.