Betta Or Dwarf Gourami For 10 Gal Community Tank?

[Torchwood~Mindfreak]

Hello, I have a 10 gallon tank in my dorm and I want to add a little more interest. Most of the fish in it I have had for quite a few years and are a combination from several other tanks (which is why they are not in bigger groups). There are currently 2 harlequin rasboras, 2 white clouds mountain minnows, 3 male yellow guppies, and a bulldog pleco. I'm trying to decide whether to get a dwarf gourami or a male betta. I'd slightly prefer a betta, but the guppies could be an issue. Opinions?

 

[EllieJellyEllie]

With all the fish in there currently, it is stocked if not overstocked. Plus the minnows and rasboras need to have groups of 6, and you dont even have room for those. I would rehome the rasboras and minnows and get a pair of dwarf gourami. 

 

[bluesword23516]

I wouldn't add anything else. It is pretty well stocked and both of those species can get super aggressive.

 

[Torchwood~Mindfreak]

Like I said the WCMM and Rasboras I have had for over four years, they used to have bigger groups but they are the last from their schools and so were condensed into the same tank when I came to college. They've gotten on fine in their current pairs for a long time and I haven't added more for fear of changing their dynamic. The tank really isn't overstocked, I've had it for a while and know how it reacts.

 

[EllieJellyEllie]

That tank is fully stocked. If you dont want to listen to our advice, then done, but dont ask. Im not trying to be rude if I do.
 
If you add any more fish it will be overstocked, so I recommend you dont.
 
If you wont add any more rasboras or minnows, then it would be best to rehome them to someone who will, as they become fearful and nippy if not in proper groups.
 
If you do that, like I said, you can get a single or pair of dwarf gouramis. I advise against a betta because of the guppies though

 

[hobby5]

I don't think this tank is big enough for a pair of DGs. Even with a single male you could run into trouble. Can we get a FTS, what does it look like, is it heavily planted? If yes, you could maybe try a pair of honey gouramis.

 

[Torchwood~Mindfreak]

It's not that I'm not listening, I just don't stick hard core to the one inch of fish per gallon rule. This tank has a filter rated for a 40 gallon tank on it, and I monitor the water levels. I'm not trying to be rude either; however, you don't know the dynamic within my fish tank and automatically telling me my fish are unhappy and I should get rid of them doesn't come across well. The WCMM and rasboras are not nippy and are perfectly healthy. The reason I haven't gotten more of them is because these four are fairly old and the four of them interacted well with each other once they were condensed into the same tank. I haven't decided what I'm doing yet, I'm just looking into my options.
 
Edit* Here's a FTS, sorry about the reflections, the dorm lights are horrible. 

 

[BerryAttack]

what i would do
rehome the guppies, pleco (pleco needs a min of 20 gallons)
then i would bump of two types of tetras to 5 each, now you have 10 tetras.. 
for a show fish you can get a beta and or one powder blue gourami
OR 
(still rehoming the fish listed)
rehome the rasbora, bump with the clouds to 10 and get one powder blue gourami and or beta.

 

[bluesword23516]

I think the fish should be fine. I have had kind of some random fish. I often see my tetras schooling together, one white skirt and three neons. They do just fine, they were the last fish in their tank so when I bought them they were much happier with other fish.

 

[hobby5]

@OP
 
I have no experience with bettas. But I think for a pair of gouramis it is too open, so you could only go for a single male, but they will not show full coloration or interesting behaviour beeing on there own. So imho no point in that. Why not rehome the guppys and go for a betta if that is what you like anyway?
 
I understand what you are saying and I agree with you, that you should know your tank best and one fish more or less will not lead to problems due to overstocking. Furthermore your fish are healthy and have no problems, but imho they could be much more happy in a larger tank and a larger group. Also, you seem to be unhappy with that tank too, otherwise you would not want to add a new fish. And too be honest, why waste time, money and effort on a tank which is stocked unsatisfactorily? If I were you I would rehome all the fish and start something new which is suited too your tank size, water parameters etc.

 

[frapadoodle]

Why does duct tape come to mind?

 

[Catfishlover]

If we cant change your mind, then go with the gouramis. The tank would still be over crowded, but the betta is far more aggresive

 

[attibones]

I'd hold off on any new fish until you no longer have the minnows or rasboras. Either rehome them or keep them until the end of their lives. Or rehome the guppies (which I know need warmer water than WCMM) and the pleco (which also needs a larger tank) and consider finding another fish who is okay with a water temp of either 60-74 degrees or upper seventies which are the two ranges you've got in your tank (WCMM are not tropical species, require cooler temperatures).

 

[tunagirll]

A betta won't work well in the tank, mainly because you have other fish that swim in 'their' level of the tank that are quite fast and the betta will not be well settled with them being so active.