Miniature Community?

[Startup]

I have a 16 gall hexagonal tank with three fat happy female platys and some java fern. After some initial troubles its been going fine for about 6 months.

I haven't added anything else yet as we are moving in two weeks, and I didn't want to be moving a whole lot of fish etc. But, I have an idea that I think would be kind of cute to set up once settled, and would like to know if it would be suitable for my tank, and my level of experience (ie newb). Assuming the lfs could get the fish I want in.

(1) Colisa lalia Dwarf Gourami 3.5inch/9cm
(10) Poecilia "endler" Endlers 0.7 inch/1.9cm
(6) Corydoras habrosus Dainty Cory 0.9 inch/2.5 cm
And of course my three platy.

Tank has a300gal/hour filter hanging off the back of it
I would rescape, using sand, bogwood and plants.

Would I get a peaceful, active, not to cramped community? Are these fish suitable for me?

lol you're probably all sick of this type of question but for me its still all new and exciting!

 

[bshockstubb]

I would watch out for the corys, because they need to come up to the surface for air, how high is the tank? You probably wont need that many edlers because like guppies they will breed and in no time you will have that many.

 

[Startup]

Yup those figures would be the total no. of fish once established, any 'extras' would be given away or back to the lfs.

The tank is 14 inches high, 13 to the waterline. Would that cause any problems?

Would the Gourami be a suitable 'centerpiece'? In the shop they always seem quite lethargic but I put this down to the environment/stress. Would he pick up a bit once home and cruize around a bit?

 

[NinjaSmurf]

I don't understand the cory in a shorter tank thing, mine were in a two foot deep tank and they never had any problems. I mean, they do have gills, right? Why do they need to come up for air?

 

[Phantom Thief]

Cories only come up for air should there not be enough oxygen to their taste. But this is rare, and my juvenile cories in my community 65g have no problems whatsoever going up for air, even though it is quite a tall tank. Mine rarely come up for air.

The way they breathe air is by forcing the air into their intestines, which can absorb oxygen. It is rather funny to see them "release" the air however

P.T.

 

[x Fish x]

Pointless response here, but are the Dainty Cories AKA Pygmy Cories?

If they are, get a ton of them. They are the cutest, funniest little things you'll ever see.

 

[Startup]

So no one can tell me if these will make a suitable community for me??

 

[Phantom Thief]

I think reduce the endlers to about 5-6, then it'll be ok

P.T.

 

[sylvia]

About the cories - do you think cories live in 13-14" water in the wild? They'll be fine.

That community would work but I agree that you should reduce the number of endler's to about 5-6. Also, if you get both sexes, be prepaired to be over-run by fry

One last thing - about the dwarf gourami. I suggest you go for honey gouramies instead. Dwarfs are not the healthiest of fish and, in a small volume, can easily become stressed and ill. Being mass-produced and in-bred means they have weaker immune systems than other species and that makes them more prone to disease - which may then be passed on to your other fish... Obviously, this is just my opinion. They are beautiful, peaceful, entertaining fish and I have and always will keep some myself from time to time but that doesn't mean I will ignore the fact that they are not the healthiest of fish. Furthermore, if you went with honeys (colisa chuna/sota - don't confuse with dwarf color morphs), you could get about 3 ( a male and 2 females) without problems along the lines of aggression to each other or to other inhabitants. Just my opinion

One thing I WILL say for certain is that if thy look even the slightest bit lethargic, don't buy them unless you can quarantine first.