Please to critique my stocking plan

[Osse]

Tank: 60 long, planted, dark substrate, plenty of driftwood.
Wife's requirements: "Make it colorful, and somewhat active, but not crazy/spastic like your guppy tank"

Stocking plan:
~4-6 Dwarf Gourami
~2-3 German Blue Ram
~24 Dwarf Corydora (but which kind?)
~24 Rummynose / Neon Tetra / Rasbora / other dither fish that will add color / life

Open to suggestions for #'s, but really looking for advice on a colorful, but more importantly effective dither fish (or multiple) to round out the community and encourage good behavior.

I know the Rams and Gouramis can be testy, so I’d also like to know the best order to introduce them in.

Thanks!

 

[ProudPapa]

Hello, and please remember, you asked.

• I wouldn't get a single dwarf gourami, and certainly not multiples. See My thoughts on Dwarf Gourami/Trichogaster Lalius. I'd recommend pearl gouramis instead. While not as colorful as dwarf gouramis they're still very attractive fish, and don't suffer from the same health and aggression issues. I'd recommend a ratio of 1M:2F, if possible.
• German blue rams need warmer water (low to mid 80's) than most other commonly kept freshwater fish (mid to high 70's). Bolivian rams are more tolerant of cooler water than GBR's, and generally more hardy.
• I'm not sure which species you mean by "the larger of the two pygmys," but yes, 24 of a single species of one of the smaller corydoras would be great
• Also a good option.

 

[Fishfur]

Hello, and please remember, you asked.

• I wouldn't get a single dwarf gourami, and certainly not multiples. See My thoughts on Dwarf Gourami/Trichogaster Lalius. I'd recommend pearl gouramis instead. While not as colorful as dwarf gouramis they're still very attractive fish, and don't suffer from the same health and aggression issues. I'd recommend a ratio of 1M:2F, if possible.
• German blue rams need warmer water (low to mid 80's) than most other commonly kept freshwater fish (mid to high 70's). Bolivian rams are more tolerant of cooler water than GBR's, and generally more hardy.
• I'm not sure which species you mean by "the larger of the two pygmys," but yes, 24 of a single species of one of the smaller corydoras would be great
• Also a good option.

I agree wholeheartedly with ProudPapa about the Dwarf Gouramis. At least 25% of them are shipped from the farms with the Dwarf gourami Iridovirus, which is always fatal once symptoms appear. And the males can be extremely aggressive.

There are 3 dwarf corydoras species. C.pygmaeus, hastatus and habrosus.

C.pygmaeus (Pygmy Cory) is the one that is not a bottom hugger like most cory cats are. It spends a lot of time at much higher levels.

C.habrosus, (Salt ‘n Pepper Cory)is very much a bottom hugger and except for the odd dash to the surface for a gulp of air, it stays on the bottom.

I believe that C.hastatus, the Tail Spot Cory, is also pretty much a bottom hugger.

All 3 species are the same size and super cute.

 

[Osse]

Hello, and please remember, you asked.

• I wouldn't get a single dwarf gourami, and certainly not multiples. See My thoughts on Dwarf Gourami/Trichogaster Lalius. I'd recommend pearl gouramis instead. While not as colorful as dwarf gouramis they're still very attractive fish, and don't suffer from the same health and aggression issues. I'd recommend a ratio of 1M:2F, if possible.
• German blue rams need warmer water (low to mid 80's) than most other commonly kept freshwater fish (mid to high 70's). Bolivian rams are more tolerant of cooler water than GBR's, and generally more hardy.
• I'm not sure which species you mean by "the larger of the two pygmys," but yes, 24 of a single species of one of the smaller corydoras would be great
• Also a good option.

I appreciate the feedback.

That's disappointing to hear about DG's. I honed in on them because I really like the ones my LFS gets. If 2-3 Pearls would make for a happier tank, I'm all in. Anything else comparable you'd suggest (other than Honey, they just don't appeal to me)?

I was worried about the temp for GBR's. Bolivian sounds like a better option.

I was a little confused with the corydoras too- I meant: Corydoras habrosus or pygmaeus. With Rams on the bottom I wasn't sure who'd add more to the community.

I come to Fishlore for actual advice, not an echo chamber of agreement.
Thanks!

I agree wholeheartedly with ProudPapa about the Dwarf Gouramis. At least 25% of them are shipped from the farms with the Dwarf gourami Iridovirus, which is always fatal once symptoms appear. And the males can be extremely aggressive. G

There are 3 dwarf corydoras species. C.pygmaeus, hastatus and habrosus.

C.pygmaeus (Pygmy Cory) is the one that is not a bottom hugger like most cory cats are. It spends a lot of time at much higher levels.

C.habrosus, (Salt ‘n Pepper Cory)is very much a bottom hugger and except for the odd dash to the surface for a gulp of air, it stays on the bottom.

I believe that C.hastatus, the Tail Spot Cory, is also pretty much a bottom hugger.

All 3 species are the same size and super cute.

Thanks for that clarification.

I think the Pygmy's could be invisible in the 60gal, but part of me likes the idea of a schooling corydora to play with Rummynose or Tetras, and I'm also not sure if the Rams would feel territorial over the bottom.

So I'm still undecided with the pygmy vs habrosus. Assuming I won't find any hastatus. Think it comes down to who would be more compatible with Bolivian Rams.

 

[TClare]

I would probably go with pygmaeus to avoid any possible conflicts with the rams, particularly if you have a potential breeding situation (ie male and female rams) . I have these tiny Corydoras in a tank of about 63 gallons (240l), its also densely planted, I do see them, but I wish I had bought more for a bigger group.

 

[ProudPapa]

. . . Anything else comparable you'd suggest (other than Honey, they just don't appeal to me)?

I was worried about the temp for GBR's. Bolivian sounds like a better option.

I was a little confused with the corydoras too- I meant: Corydoras habrosus or pygmaeus. With Rams on the bottom I wasn't sure who'd add more to the community.

I come to Fishlore for actual advice, not an echo chamber of agreement.
Thanks!

Thanks for that clarification.

I think the Pygmy's could be invisible in the 60gal, but part of me likes the idea of a schooling corydora to play with Rummynose or Tetras, and I'm also not sure if the Rams would feel territorial over the bottom.

So I'm still undecided with the pygmy vs habrosus. Assuming I won't find any hastatus. Think it comes down to who would be more compatible with Bolivian Rams.

I'd love to suggest turquoise rainbowfish, but they might be too active for your wife. They are one of my favorites. I have them in a standard 65 gallon tank, but your 60 long would be a better fit for them. Other than that, maybe an angelfish?

. . . I come to Fishlore for actual advice, not an echo chamber of agreement.
Thanks!

I'm glad to hear that. It's not always the case.

 

[Osse]

I would probably go with pygmaeus to avoid any possible conflicts with the rams, particularly if you have a potential breeding situation (ie male and female rams) . I have these tiny Corydoras in a tank of about 63 gallons (240l), its also densely planted, I do see them, but I wish I had bought more for a bigger group.

Very good, thanks! Seems like 24 would be a good start.

I'm beginning to wonder as I'm envisioning the Rams owning the bottom: will this tank be certain death for neocaridina and/or amano shrimp?

 

[tinylostwine]

A few general comment:
Rummynose really do better in a long aquarium (at least 4 feet); i have 30 to 40 in a 8 foot long aquarium. They also seem to get quite a bit larger than cardinals (for example). Cardinals have always been my go-to pretty but cheap tetra. I have 35 in my discus aquarium (6 foot long).
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If you can get them i would go with a a pair of apistogramma borelli over bolivan ram; there is a wide variance in male colours but the dark blue opals are stunning and they are a relatively passive cichild; though like all cichild the femals can be extremely aggressive if she has frys to protect.
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The reason i prefer borelli over bolivan ram are (a) they are a bit smaller; (b) very flexible on water condition (though if domestic - then like most domestic fishes a bit inbred); (c) a bit more passive.
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If you can find hastatus cory - they are very very simlar to pygmy but slightly more active. But again they will hide a lot - the ones i have in my 4ftx4ft cube do seem to hide most of the time - i have 20 or 30 in there.

 

[Osse]

Rummynose really do better in a long aquarium (at least 4 feet); i have 30 to 40 in a 8 foot long aquarium. They also seem to get quite a bit larger than cardinals (for example). Cardinals have always been my go-to pretty but cheap tetra. I have 35 in my discus aquarium (6 foot long).

Would 18 Rummynose in a 48" 60gal be reasonable? Or would I be better off with other dithers, maybe Cardinals and something else?

 

[tinylostwine]

Would 18 Rummynose in a 48" 60gal be reasonable? Or would I be better off with other dithers, maybe Cardinals and something else?

There is no right and wrong - you could do either. Historically rummy are a lot busier (more movements) than cardinals but my cardinals are pretty chicken of the discus they are with so they constantly swim in the opposite directions as the discus (discus move right they move left; discus move left they move right; ...).

 

[ProudPapa]

Would 18 Rummynose in a 48" 60gal be reasonable? Or would I be better off with other dithers, maybe Cardinals and something else?

What's your water like? The tetras with the long body type, like rummy nose and neon, haven't done as well in my hard water as the ones with taller bodies, like serpae tetras, lemon tetras, and pristella tetras.

Black neon tetras have been sort of an exception. I have four left from from the fifteen or so I started with in 2020 (but they still haven't done as well as the others mentioned above).

 

[TClare]

I have not kept shrimps, but I am not all sure they would be safe with rams, maybe the A. borelli, being smaller, would be safer.

 

[Osse]

What's your water like?

Fairly hard, but I have access to RO water and a good tester, so I plan on optimizing for whatever the community needs.

If everyone else is good with hard water, I may opt for something else. Will the others you mentioned school somewhere between Rummynose & Neons?

 

[bgarthe]

Maybe…… Cardinal or Green Neon Tetras (18-24) Honey Gouramis (5-6), Cherry Barbs (6), and 8-10 Peppered Corys ( C. paleatus ) These Corys are medium, not tiny, but full of character, some color, and a bit more visible in a larger tank. Another nice dither/schooling bunch would be the Porkchop Rasboras…(T. espei) in addition to or in place of the Cardinal Tetras. All these have worked out nicely compatibility-wise for me.

 

[tinylostwine]

green neon would likely be food for any cichild as large as a bolivian ram or larger. They *might* be ok with borelli but if you intend to get something larger you want something larger than green neon.

 

[bgarthe]

You’re right…..I forgot about the Bolivian ram..

 

[Osse]

green neon would likely be food for any cichild as large as a bolivian ram or larger. They *might* be ok with borelli but if you intend to get something larger you want something larger than green neon.

That is the kind of thing I like to know ahead of time, thank you.

 

[ProudPapa]

. . . Will the others you mentioned school somewhere between Rummynose & Neons?

They're shoaling fish, and generally don't really school unless they feel threatened, but of the ones I mentioned the black neon tetras stay together more than the others.