[Fishbeard]

Hi, new to the forum and relatively new to the hobby.

I've been working on a 10 gallon tank for about 2 months now, working through the process of cycling and deciding on stock. Currently it has some Guppy fry (from other tanks, doing what Guppies do) for a little less than a month now, keeping it cycled and entertaining me for the time being. Added 2 zebra nerite snails a few days ago, 1 as a permanent resident, 1 that will be moving to another tank as a gift soon. Looking to remove the guppies and move on to something less likely to breed to such extremes.

The tank currently has a sand substrate, rocks and a piece of Driftwood, and is pretty heavily planted (every day it seems the plants have filled out a lot more!). Not sure on some of the species, but just added a small crypt and some java moss. All the other ones are tall growing plants that I pulled from other projects. Still adding more plants whenever the funds are available (duckweed next?). Filtration is minimal for the moment, with a small sponge filter.

I've been doing some research, and some fish species that have caught my eye are as follows:

Sparkling/Pygmy Gouramis
Kuhli/Java Loaches
Chili Rasboras
Celestial Pearl Danios
Clown Killifish (if I can find them at LFS)

I'm pretty set on a community tank, with at least 2 species, just what appeals to me the most.

I'm open to suggestions, or combinations that might work. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[Fishbeard]

Thanks for the ideas!

As for my question, I'm mostly looking for some combinations that might work. Since I'm not all that familiar with choosing species for community tanks, I'd just like some input before I go to my LFS.

Bump: So kuhli loaches are a no then?

I've read the sparklers are pretty calm generally as compared to other gouramis. Would agression be a factor if I added some small schoolers?

 

[Fishbeard]

Awesome post ichthyogeek!

Great ideas, I did a little research into those rosy loaches, they seem pretty neat! Perfect solution to the kuhli problem.

I like all the options, but do you think two groups of 8 would be overstocked? I didn't think I would be able to have more than one school in a 10 gallon... but I'd be happy to be wrong!

So would sparkling gouramis and rosy loaches get along well?

 

[Fishbeard]

So right now here are my ideas:

I definitely want to go with the sparkling gouramis. They don't need a school or big group, so they're perfect.
I've got the 2 zebra nerites, so I think those are staying there. If that won't work I might need to find them a different home.
Sold off most of my guppies yesterday, so those are out of the picture.

While at my LFS, my girlfriend really liked the little cories, and I agree that they're awesome. After a little research, I thought maybe a few C. habrosus (salt n pepper cories) would be a good fit, with a small shoal working nicely. Any opinions on that?

Otherwise, I just need to see what is available in my area for small shoalers, since I've got so many options now to think about. I think a small shoal would make the sparklers a little less wary and bring some life to the tank.

 

[Fishbeard]

That's a good idea, but I think I would want to set up a new tank with that in mind, rather than just make this one work for that purpose.

 

[Fishbeard]

Hi all,

So I made a decision this week, and I picked up 3 sparkling gouramis, which are getting along famously with the 2 zebra nerite snails in there (like that was going to be a problem). I think they're still pretty young, because their definitely under an inch now, but full of personality.

I'm afraid that my LFS gave me 2 males and 1 female, so I'm looking to add 1 more species to disperse any aggression that might arise as they get older. There are plenty of hiding spots, so it's not bad right now though, so just planning for the future.

I wanna get a schooling species that'll stay small, and will use some open water space. I know I've got some ideas above, but just looking for as many opinions as possible! Any ideas?

 

[Fishbeard]

Quick update.

Sadly, 2 of my 3 sparklers passed this week. I think the remaining one harassed them until they were trapped in a corner, where they eventually died. This happened on two different days, but in the same corner. I would go to feed them in the morning and find them floating dead.

My remaining sparkler is pretty aggressive, and is always dashing around the tank, and kind of freaking out. I believe it's a male. It isn't bothering the snails in there, but I am hesitant to put in any other fish, especially more sparklers, because I don't want to repeat the past week.

I think my water is fine, since the snails are comfortable (most of there time on the bottom of the tank, not near the surface due to poor conditions), so I don't think that is a problem, especially since the last sparkling gourami is doing ok.

Does anyone have any ideas for me to try? Buy more sparklers? Get other dither fish (schoolers)? Find the sparkler a new home and keep him alone? Bring him back to my LFS? Really any help would be welcome. Thanks!

Bump: Also, great suggestions, but this week has really put any new purchases on hold for now. I want to figure this out before doing anything rash.