fish combo...

[myfriendpeter]

im just wondering which you guys would think is a better combonation...

6 barbs (i already have)
1 dwarf gourami
2-3 cories

or 6 barbs
1 dwarf gourami
1 pleco catfish

or wether i could have both the pleco and a couple cories

im just a bit overwhelmed with all these fish combonations and i hear that some are fine and some arent, and i just want some buddies for my barbs!
and the dwarf gouramis would bring in some more colour.

 

[copeina]

Depending on the size of your tank (I am going to assume 10 gallons / 40 litres), I would say the corys would be the better choice. Get a group of corys for best results and more fun viewing. They like to play in groups.

Having said that, I would also look for a smaller pleco such as a peckoltia (tiger pleco) or ancistrus (bushynose). Regular plecos (plecostomus) grow too large for even the largest home aquarium and really aren't the best algae eaters anyway. A pleco is an algae eater (sometimes) and corys are scavengers (sort-of), both from the same watershed and can co-exist quite peacefully. Stick with one pleco per tank unless there are plenty of caves as they can get ornery with one another sometimes.

As for the barbs / gourami combination, I would not do it myself. Most barbs are known for their hyperactive behaviour, and would harrass a dwarf gourami to death in short measure, especially as a school. Having said that, in a 50 gallon / 200 litre tank with adequate plant cover, there are worse combinations than what you suggest. I would rather see rainbowfish or larger tetras (congo, emporer, columbian blue, blackskirt, etc...) in a community with barbs, but if your tank is only 10 gallons, we are already describing a horribly overstocked tank and need to rethink the whole idea.

Hope that helps some,
/Kris

 

[jams.alaskan]

If you can help us by giving us the size of your tank I think that we can make some better suggestions.
I personally love the behavior or antics of the cory cats as the love to school. Depending on the size of you tank a group of 6 or so really adds so much to the tank.

ALASKA

 

[myfriendpeter]

oh i thought i replied already but i guess it didnt work...
my tank is 20gal.
the corys sound fun so i think i shall invest in some of those...
thanks so much, im glad i didnt end up getting a gourami or two and sendin gthem to their deathbed(s)

 

[clutterydrawer]

Cories are great fish However I'd recommend getting as many as you can safely fit into your tank, prererably 4-6, because they are shoal fish.