70 Litre (18 Gallon) Tank Restart

[April_ht]

Yesterday, I came to the decision to swap my tank from cold water to tropical. I sold my WCMM and Corydoras, and now have an 18 Gallon tank empty and ready for a fresh start. I done a 95% water change and did not wash the substrate so as not to have to cycle again, though I suspect I may go through a mini-cycle. Problem is, I am now completely stuck on which fish would be suitable for me. I do want to do a community tank with either one school and one or two centrepiece fish plus maybe some shrimp or corydoras, or one large or two small schools plus the shrimp or corydoras. These are the fish I have in mind so far (with no extensive research done yet):

Centrepiece -
Betta (controversial opinions, risky)
Gourami - dwarf or honey, pairs?, risk of two males

Schooling -
Ember tetras - 10-16, low pH & soft water needed?
Pygmy Corydoras - 5-8, pricy

Bottom Dweller:
Panda corydoras, other corydoras? - 5-6, pricy
Cherry shrimp - 6 to start with, risky?
Ghost/rednose shrimp - cheap, native, hardy but not colourful


Parameters:
Hardness: 105mg/L or 5.64dGH (moderately soft)
pH - 7.5 tap water, 6.5-7 tank water after a few weeks
Temp - Will be 24 Degrees Celsius (75-76 Fahrenheit) or changed depending on species

Any suggestions or advice is appreciated, thank you.

 

[StripySnailGirl04]

Betta (controversial opinions, risky)

These fish are naturally aggressive.

Pygmy Corydoras could be an option, try Chili Rasboras as well.

Cherry shrimp - 6 to start with, risky

I think they need harder water than what you have.

Gourami - dwarf

Many have been inbred and prone to this really bad disease so best to avoid dwarf gourami

 

[StripySnailGirl04]

Maybe go:
10 Chili Rasboras
10 Pygmy Corydoras

As a starter?

 

[April_ht]

So, avoid dwarf gourami and betta? And cherry shrimp too?
Also, we don't really have Chilli Rasboras in Australia and those we do are around $20 each, so would ember tetras work as an alternative?
Would a honey gourami or 2 work in with the mix, or hold off?
I do really like the Pygmy Corydoras, however was hoping I could find a bigger corydoras species so that I could have something to dwell on the bottom.
I'll check out your suggested species though and see what suits.
Thank you for the advice, @StripySnailGirl04

 

[Essjay]

Panda cories prefer cooler water than most tropical fish, a few degrees below 25 deg C, which makes tank mates more difficult. Pygmy cories would be a better choice, providing you have sand.
Your GH is fine for ember tetras as it is soft water.


Looking at your suggestions, ember tetras, pygmy cories, a pair of honey gouramis (natural coloured or yellow; red honeys are not actually honeys) and maybe shrimps depending on whether the fish eat them.

 

[StripySnailGirl04]

Yes, avoid Dwarf Gourami, betta and cherry shrimp for now. I would do:
8 Ember Tetras
10 Pygmy Corydoras
2 Honey Gouramis
Maybe some Crystal red/black Shrimp?

 

[Essjay]

I would increase the ember tetras to 12+. With small fish, the more the better.

 

[StripySnailGirl04]

I would increase the ember tetras to 12+. With small fish, the more the better.

Then @April_ht should do:
12 Ember tetras
8- 10 Pygmy Corydoras
2 Honey Gouamis
Maybe 10 Crystal Red/Black shrimp

Looks like really interesting stocking possibilities to me