Looking For A "showpiece" Fish For Community.

[l_l_l]

Hi there!
 
I am going to stock my 46gallon tank this week-weekend, which has been cycled already. (hurray dirty filter!)
Here is what I'm setting on:
 
9 Rummynose Tetras
9 Celestial pearl Danios
9 Harlequin Rasboras
7 Corydora Pandas
2 Bamboo Shrimp
A dozen of cherry shrimp
3-4 Nerite Snails
__
 
I am looking for a showpiece fish to complete this list and was setting on getting a dwarf gourami until I read about how problematic they can be.. I really love their color and thought they'd be great community material.
 
I already have a Betta community tank so I'm not sure about getting another one.
 
My water's PH is at 7.4, KH at 5 and GH at 7.
___
 
Thank you!

 

[BelldandyShanny]

be careful with the cherry shrimp, they're so tiny they will likely be food (again with bamboo shrimp, just be careful, I've had rotten luck keeping them alive as they are filter feeders and they just never seem to get enough to eat)  I would get a pearl gourami! They are nice and peaceful. I have a pair of blue rams and a pair of kribs, either of which would make a good main fishy (pair) Anyway those are my suggestions. (also I did have a dwarf flame gourami, was a very nice little addition) As I typically tend to say, don't let fear of a "problem" with a certain kind of fish stop you from getting one, any kind of fish can have problems, you never know.

 

[l_l_l]

It's true, I am just scared of losing a friend
When my Betta got sick I was so sad!
Now he's better tho
 
I'd get bamboo and Cherry because I already have some and they tend to be AOK with my fishes.
I do lose one shrimp once in a while but they breed so much it seems to be all right.
My bamboo in my 20G seems to be really happy, it's really colorful (even if the color is brown) so I'm thinking I must be doing something right .
 
As for RAMS, I heard they were difficult fish to keep and I'm only at my second aquarium and 6th month in the hobby. I'm thinking it might be too soon?
Maybe not!
 
Anyhow, thanks for the suggestions!

 

[BelldandyShanny]

I've not had a single problem with my rams (or kribs) both of which are pretty fish, pretty good for starter cichlids, which is exactly what they are for me....   get the gourami if that's what you really really want! any fish can get sick, so get what makes you happy. They are nice fishies!

 

[Blondielovesfish]

Your stock list looks good, however I would personally only have one school of tetras, either the harlequins or rummynoses, it would look better IMO and you could have a bigger school, which they'd be happier with. Its up to you though.
 
If you want a dwarf cichlid, you could have a single or a pair of keyhole cichlids. They'e lovely, peaceful fish.
 
If you want a small gourami, you could have a honey gourami, its colours would work well with the fish you're planning on having.

 

[l_l_l]

Yeah I was actually thinking about reducing the school to only one big school of rummynose. Happier fish, and "tighter school".
The main reason why I want gourami is because I want to "fill" the top part of my tank.
 
Edit: The more I'm looking at the pearl gourami, the more I'm thinking of getting it!

 

[Blondielovesfish]

Sounds good!
 
A pearl gourami would make an excellent addition to your tank!

 

[BelldandyShanny]

either male or female are a good pick, both pretty, but the male is just a little fancier

 

[CoryFever]

I keep a baby red severum in my 70 community and he's not a nuisance at all. He lives in piece with all the fish. I'm not super sure what he'll be like when he's bigger, but for now he has a place in my community tank. Great, colorful fish with a great personality, and not as picky as discus.