Stocking 55 gallon tank

[Briarmoor]

I introduced myself yesterday on the Newbie board. I am setting up a 55 gallon tank and will be moving a Gold gourami into it. I am getting (and reading) so many different bits of advice that I am confused.

I want the gourami to work out with whatever I add to the tank. I get the impression that some males are territorial, some gouramis are shy, one person at the fish store said to pair them up, another said mix a group. What to do?! I like Pearls and Opalines. So do I get a pair of each, plus another Gold to go with the current one? If so should I just get females (if I can find them and someone can sex them) since I am reading the 3-spot males may not like other males? Advice please!

Some other fish I like are Black Phantom Tetras and Moss Green Tiger Barbs. Since these are both schoolers, one nearer the bottom and one in the middle, would they stay out of each others way? Would the gouramis inhabit areas of the tank they weren't in? Could these 3 species get along? I also like Rainbows, but don't know much about them. I am willing to be flexible to have a tank that works.

If I used these, what type of bottom dwellers could take care of themselves in such a tank? The corys seem so sweet and I wouldn't want them picked on, but they are not afraid of the gourami in the small tank now and he dosn't mess with them. Would they work? If not, (or other ideas) what might?

Also, if I don't add all the fish at once ( orafter fishless cycle, not made up my mind about that), which species would be best to add first? Taking into consideration, new tank water being less stable, territorialness, and any other variables.

Okay, sorry this is so long. I look forward to comments.

Pam in TN

 

[Torrean]

rainbow sharks and smallish pleco's might be ok with a gourami. Not 100% sure though. I have rainbow sharks with my gourami's but they are very peaceful gourami's. Gourami's become more aggressive as they get older I belive. BTW you should only keep 1 rainbow shark in your tank.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

sounds to me like a great mix really. get a bunch of the Tiger Barbs; they have a tendancy to get quite nippy in small groups. i'd say have an equal number of Black Phantoms and Tigers.

so long as you plant the tank up nicely, 1 Opaline and 1 Gold Gourami should be A-OK. i can't speak for groups of each, but i'd not mix species if you went with groups. it all boils down to territory and dividing aggression. something i'd keep in mind however, is that the best way to showcase a species is to have it be unique in your tank. one or two gouramis with a ton of barbs is much more noticable than a few gouramis and a few barbs.

cory cats go with all four fishes you mentioned. but make sure to get a fine, rounded gravel! cory cats are prone to infection and other problems if an improper substrate is used. you might want to check out sand substrates; they're all the rage lately. corys are a schooling fish, so a group of 4 or more is strongly recommended (and cool to watch).

Rainbows are a bit expensive to experiment with, thus I've never kept them.

i'd start with the Tiger Barbs first. but fishless cycling is still preferable.

 

[parker313]

1 Opaline
1 Gold
8 Tiger Barbs
8 Black Phantoms
10 cory cats

Should be good

I'd add the tiger barbs first. If you decide on cycling with fish, you can cycle with tiger barbs. For a 55g, I'd go with 4 of them.