pristellas

[gwlee7]

I am seriously thinking about getting some pristellas as a small schooling fish to go with my gouramis, platies, and swordtails. What sould be the fewest that would still constitute a school in which they would be happy. Is six enough or do I need more? I am wanting to add some cories too.

Thanks in advance

 

[jams.alaskan]

nine to twelve in your 55 gal would be stunning..

ALASKA

 

[gwlee7]

That would be stunning. But, if I added say 6 peppered cories and 9/10 pristellas would I then be overstocked? I want to be able to add both types of fish and I know the cories will be happiest if there are at least 6.

I would have:

4 Blue gouramis
2 swordtails
3 platies
6 cories
9 or 10 pristellas

Would that be okay?

 

[jams.alaskan]

I would not add both types at once but you should be ok. Are you planning to breed the platties and swords? If so they may be stocking (maybe even over stocking) your tank for you.....

ALASKA

 

[gwlee7]

I am not adding both at once. I will probably add the cories first because the LFS has some babies right now (only about 1 inch) and then the pristellas a few weeks later. And, when I add the pristellas, I will add them in two smaller groups rather than all 9 or 10 at once.

About the swordtails and platies. My two swordtails are females and I think all of platies are too. All of their bottom fins are the same size and that is a good clue that they are female. However, I know that platies and swordtails can cross with each other and if I start getting fry, the gouramis may have a little unexpected treat or I will get the fry out and try to raise them in a grow out tank.

 

[Lateral Line]

It sounds okay from a stocking point, but Blue Goramis get pretty big and can be quite aggressive. You may want to keep a close eye on them.

 

[gwlee7]

Just an update on this. I am going to LFS tonight and get 6 pristellas and will add more in a couple of weeks. I decided to add the pristellas before the cories. Will update again as fish are added.

Thanks for reading and the suggestions.

EDIT: After further reflection and research, I took the blue gouramis back to the LFS and got 3 more pristellas and went ahead and got 6 babay peppered cories. Like Lateral Line said, the Blues were getting a little unruly and since I am new to keeping fish, I don't want the fish to stress me out or me to stress out the fish.
For right now a peaceful set up is what I need.