Here We Go Again.

[McCool]

So in the past few weeks, my tank has really been decreased as far as my stock goes. I took some to my LFS, gave a school of neons to a friend, and yesterday, my two main fish both passed. The thread is on here somewhere about them, but its nothing that affects the actual tank.
Tank:
55 Gallons, standard 4 foot tank.
Sand, driftwood, live plants.
Ammonia/Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 30
Fluval Canister filter, rated for a 65 gallon tank.
50% WC weekly or so- as I have been adding more plants, the need for water changes has certainly decreased.  
75-79F
pH: 7.5
 
Current Stock:
1 M Betta
1 Whiptail Cat
3 Swordtails
4 Polka Dot Loaches
2 Bamboo Shrimp
 
So, with the death of my center piece fish (two angels), and the loss of my school, i'm pretty open. I do intend to add two more loaches, but other than that, I'm at a loss. I don't know that I want angels again, and honestly I'm not a huge fan of gouramis. I really like Denison Barbs, not sure of their suitability though. Any ideas would be great!

 

[Noahsfish]

Bosemani rainbows, not sure about compatibility though. Or, if you want a smaller schooling species rummy nose tetras, cardinal tetras, or harlequin rasboras would do well. For a centerpiece you could do more angels, or you could get gouramis.

 

[RCA]

I just got some Dwarf Rainbows (more info here) and they are stunning.
I also 

Rasboras Espei and also have a shoal of these Pencil Fish which are very bright and not as large as the Denison's.
Rams are nice fish, only issue you would have is if they paired up, as then they could become territorial and this would affect your other fish.
 
What are you looking for, shoaling fish, large or small, slender or deep chested?

 

[McCool]

Bosemani rainbows, not sure about compatibility though. Or, if you want a smaller schooling species rummy nose tetras, cardinal tetras, or harlequin rasboras would do well. For a centerpiece you could do more angels, or you could get gouramis.

 
I love rainbows, but already have another tank in the house with 'em, so I think ill skip them for this tank. Rummys are something I would consider..... Any idea on how many I could have?

 

[McCool]

I just got some Dwarf Rainbows (more info here) and they are stunning.
I also 

Rasboras Espei and also have a shoal of these Pencil Fish which are very bright and not as large as the Denison's.
Rams are nice fish, only issue you would have is if they paired up, as then they could become territorial and this would affect your other fish.
 
What are you looking for, shoaling fish, large or small, slender or deep chested?

 
Dwarf rainbows, I'll look into them. I'm not sure I've ever seen my LFS carry them though. The Pencil Fish I've always loved, but they are really expensive around here..... A pair of Rams are actually one of the things I took to my LFS
Im really not sure. A shoaling fish for sure. I'm kinda conflicted, since my tank looks so empty right now. I feel like larger fish would look better, but I want to make sure they have enough room too. That's why I was thinking about Denison Barbs, not sure what size tank they need though!

 

[Noahsfish]

I would say when alls said and done you could safely be with 25-30, but hey, that's just my opinion.

 

[Blondielovesfish]

I would say when alls said and done you could safely be with 25-30, but hey, that's just my opinion.

I wouldn't go to that amount in number. You probably would be able to safely have that amount but IMO the tank would look way to hectic, especially with them being tight schoolers. IMO 10-15 would look better, you could also add something else to your tank then.

 

[RCA]

 

I just got some Dwarf Rainbows (more info here) and they are stunning.
I also 

Rasboras Espei and also have a shoal of these Pencil Fish which are very bright and not as large as the Denison's.
Rams are nice fish, only issue you would have is if they paired up, as then they could become territorial and this would affect your other fish.
 
What are you looking for, shoaling fish, large or small, slender or deep chested?

 
Dwarf rainbows, I'll look into them. I'm not sure I've ever seen my LFS carry them though. The Pencil Fish I've always loved, but they are really expensive around here.....

A pair of Rams are actually one of the things I took to my LFS

Im really not sure. A shoaling fish for sure. I'm kinda conflicted, since my tank looks so empty right now. I feel like larger fish would look better, but I want to make sure they have enough room too. That's why I was thinking about Denison Barbs, not sure what size tank they need though!
 

Check this out Freshwater Aquarium Stocking Calculator
 
I would say that Denison Barbs/Red Line Torpedo Barbs need a fairly long tank as they get fairly big.  Although this says 50 gallons, so therefore you should be OK, just limited on the amount due to the other fish in there.
 
Have you seen this, as not sure where you are from, when you state "...expensive around here"?

 

[McCool]

 

I just got some Dwarf Rainbows (more info here) and they are stunning.
I also 

Rasboras Espei and also have a shoal of these Pencil Fish which are very bright and not as large as the Denison's.
Rams are nice fish, only issue you would have is if they paired up, as then they could become territorial and this would affect your other fish.
 
What are you looking for, shoaling fish, large or small, slender or deep chested?

 
Dwarf rainbows, I'll look into them. I'm not sure I've ever seen my LFS carry them though. The Pencil Fish I've always loved, but they are really expensive around here.....

A pair of Rams are actually one of the things I took to my LFS

Im really not sure. A shoaling fish for sure. I'm kinda conflicted, since my tank looks so empty right now. I feel like larger fish would look better, but I want to make sure they have enough room too. That's why I was thinking about Denison Barbs, not sure what size tank they need though!
 

Check this out Freshwater Aquarium Stocking Calculator
 
I would say that Denison Barbs/Red Line Torpedo Barbs need a fairly long tank as they get fairly big.  Although this says 50 gallons, so therefore you should be OK, just limited on the amount due to the other fish in there.
 
Have you seen this, as not sure where you are from, when you state "...expensive around here"?

I'm in the U.S, Texas to be more specific. I've only ever seen the pencil fish in one store, and they were almost 30$ for one!
Do you think I could do say... 6 of the barbs?

I would say when alls said and done you could safely be with 25-30, but hey, that's just my opinion.

I wouldn't go to that amount in number. You probably would be able to safely have that amount but IMO the tank would look way to hectic, especially with them being tight schoolers. IMO 10-15 would look better, you could also add something else to your tank then.

15 sounds good. Now if I can ever find them....
The Fish stores around here leave a bit to be desired I'm afraid!

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Denisons Barbs are "temperate" fish that typially do well in a heaterless tank, that fluctuates from ~15C in winter through to ~25C in mid summer, an average temp of ~20C is a good ballpark.
 
Keeping them at tropical temps of ~24C all year round will knock chunks off their lifespan, doing very well to reach 5 years instead of 8.
 
So many fishkeepers see 15-25C in reputable profiles as a "license" to keep them permanently at anywhere in that range, but the info is demonstrating a wide range in temp variations. Corydoras julii are usually profiled to be kept at 23-26C, a very narrow range of temperature variation, because their wild environment is relatively pretty constant all year round.

 

[McCool]

Denisons Barbs are "temperate" fish that typially do well in a heaterless tank, that fluctuates from ~15C in winter through to ~25C in mid summer, an average temp of ~20C is a good ballpark.
 
Keeping them at tropical temps of ~24C all year round will knock chunks off their lifespan, doing very well to reach 5 years instead of 8.
 
So many fishkeepers see 15-25C in reputable profiles as a "license" to keep them permanently at anywhere in that range, but the info is demonstrating a wide range in temp variations. Corydoras julii are usually profiled to be kept at 23-26C, a very narrow range of temperature variation, because their wild environment is relatively pretty constant all year round.

My tank actually is heaterless, as even in the winter it doesn't get cold enough to need one. No where near cold enough for them it sounds like, but it does probably get down to 72 on the colder days, and up to 79 during the heat of summer. A lot of people scold me on that, but honestly I've had a busted heater before that killed a whole tank, and I'm not excited about that possibly happening again. Being in an upstairs room in Texas keeps the water pretty warm most of the year anyways!