Community Tank Questions

[rachieew]

Okay so for a while I've been looking at getting a 70 gallon tropical freshwater aquarium, I've been thinking about possible fish combinations and want it to be a peaceful community tank. This is the list so far:
 
1 Opaline Gourami (female)
2 Pearl Gouramis (female)
3 Honey Gouramis (female)
3 Sailfin Mollies (male)
5 Mollies (male)
5 Platies (male)
5 Swordtails (male)
8 Sparkling Gouramis (female)
10 Boesemani Rainbows (5 males, 5 females)
13 Cardinal Tetras (random male to female ratio)
1 Gold Nugget Pleco
12 Various shrimp e.g. 3 red cherry, 3 ghost, 3 red crystal, 3 bee
 
First of all, will the male swordtails fight with eachother and the other male livebearers? I have had 1 male swordtail bully another male platy before but in a 10 gallon which is a lot smaller than a 70 gallon, would more space prevent this from happening again or would getting all female swordtails help?
Is this overstocked or understocked? Have calculated the maximum inches of all the fish and it comes up to 113" and when applied to the 1 inch per gallon rule it's overstocked but it doesn't seem like that many fish when I think about it so not sure.
Have read up that opaline gouramis can be aggressive but it's my all time favourite fish and am hoping all female gouramis would help?
If the tank is overstocked this is only a suggestion and I will alter it after your feedback, thanks
 
 

 

[Mikey1]

for the average fishkeeper, i would say slightly overstocked....
 
in my opinion stocking really depends on the fishkeepers knowledge and how well the tank is maintained....i have no idea as to the level of your experience....so i cant really say if its overstocked for YOU....
 
the "one inch per gallon" is for the average fishkeeper, with average knowledge....there is no "set in stone" rule.....

 

[Gilli]

As Mikey said the "one inch per gallon" is for the average fishkeeper. you need to go by the size they will be when fully grown not the small size you buy them at.
 
Im assuming you will be doing a fishless cycle before getting all these fish?
 
Wouldnt get 4 x different lots of gouramis as they tend to fight - just stick to one type and would get one male and one female
 
Mollies sailfins and swordtails - ok if you are prepared for loads of fry and for most of them to get eaten. You  need a ratio of one male to 3 females for each of these or the females will be pestered to death!
 
Wouldnt add cardinals to a tank of less than 6 months mature - they just dont seem to do well as they are sensitive to water quality
 
Only get shrimp if the tank water stats are spot on after its cycled or they wont survive - they are very sensitive to water quality.