Something interesting to keep with my tetra and guppies?

[slidewithme]

I have a 40g that's still cycling (after 5 weeks, I'm becoming somewhat frustrated...), but whenever it decides to finish (or I figure out what I'm doing wrong), I plan to stock it with a school of about 20 neon tetra, and perhaps a handful of guppies.

I'd like one or two of some slightly larger, maybe colorful or otherwise interesting fish to put with them. I love the look of gouramis, but I hear they're hard to take care of?

I also like hatchets, but the tank doesn't have a lid at all, so I think that may be a bad idea.

Any suggestions or advice would be helpful.

[alohamonte]

my fav for a community would be a pair (m/f) of pearl gourami's

[LB79]

Dwarf cichlids. The best being Bolivian rams, as they stay small, are colorful, and are really fun to watch squabbling amongst themselves (there's no damage done as it's just displaying).

[slidewithme]

Originally Posted by LB79

Dwarf cichlids. The best being Bolivian rams, as they stay small, are colorful, and are really fun to watch squabbling amongst themselves (there's no damage done as it's just displaying).

Would those not be aggressive toward my tiny tetras and guppies? Possibly my MTS? I thought cichlids + non-cichlid spieces was a no no.

[LB79]

The cichlid family is a near-2,000-species family. Huge differences occur in a family that size, from 3-footers to 2-inchers. Bolivian rams are one of the most peaceful dwarf cichlids. They only get about 3 inches. Too small to eat neons or guppies, and to peaceful to consider them a threat to their territory (that's the reason some cichlids are so aggressive). I have mine in with some pretty small rasboras... no casualties yet.

[slidewithme]

I am so excited at this news, holy crap. Thanks!

[LB79]

Yeah, cichlids are the coolest. From looks and colors to behaviors and individual personalities, they're just the most fascinating fish.

[shrimpNewbie]

Could also do a few angels just throwing that out there. Just picked up a group myself for my 50cube

[LB79]

Angels and neons usually ends with fat angels and no neons. Angelfish get 6 inches body size. That's not a small fish there, and they are highly predatory.

[e.lambert]

I have 1 male guppy, 6 neon tetras, and 1 male hi fin mickey mouse tail platy. It is a very interesting tank to watch. Platys come in so many different types. They are pretty.

And look into german blue rams. My husband had one in his 20 gallon. He was pretty, colorful, and peaceful with all of his community fish.