Newbie Help: Dwarf Gourami & 3 Corydoras?

[TripleB67]

I have (or soon will have) a 5 gallon aquarium that I'm going to be putting in our kitchen. I would have preferred to go up to at least a 10 gallon aquarium but my wife vetoed that idea and it would have probably looked too large for the space I'm needing to put it anyway.

So, in that 5 gallon aquarium I would like to put a Dwarf Gourami and 3 Corydoras.

I have several questions that I'm hoping you can help this newbie with:
1) Will a 5 gallon aquarium handle the dwarf gourami and 3 corydoras?
2) Are the 3 corydoras a good match for the dwarf gourami?
3) I would say that these 4 are probably pushing the max capacity of the tank...if not, what could I add that wouldn't be a strain on the tank but would get along with everyone else?
4) What substrate should I use with the DG and the CDs? Knowing my wife well, I know she would prefer colorful gravel that has some purple in it (to match our kitchen decor).
5) Several years ago was the first time I cycled a tank and when I did, I used three fish to do so (I think I used zebra danios). What is the preferred way to cycle a tank now?
6) What other advice can you give me to help make this aquarium a success for the fish?

Thank you for any and all advice you can give.

TripleB67

 

[aqua_chem]

A tank that size is too small for either of those species. I would say 10g+ for either species (with some exceptions).

 

[bud29]

I have (or soon will have) a 5 gallon aquarium that I'm going to be putting in our kitchen. I would have preferred to go up to at least a 10 gallon aquarium but my wife vetoed that idea and it would have probably looked too large for the space I'm needing to put it anyway.

So, in that 5 gallon aquarium I would like to put a Dwarf Gourami and 3 Corydoras.

I have several questions that I'm hoping you can help this newbie with:
1) Will a 5 gallon aquarium handle the dwarf gourami and 3 corydoras?
2) Are the 3 corydoras a good match for the dwarf gourami?
3) I would say that these 4 are probably pushing the max capacity of the tank...if not, what could I add that wouldn't be a strain on the tank but would get along with everyone else?
4) What substrate should I use with the DG and the CDs? Knowing my wife well, I know she would prefer colorful gravel that has some purple in it (to match our kitchen decor).
5) Several years ago was the first time I cycled a tank and when I did, I used three fish to do so (I think I used zebra danios). What is the preferred way to cycle a tank now?
6) What other advice can you give me to help make this aquarium a success for the fish?

Thank you for any and all advice you can give.

TripleB67

1.) NO
2.)Yes
3.)It is way over the max capacity, I would have 3 guppies and an apple snail or a male betta and an apple snail.
4.)If you were getting corys, you should get sand, as it is a thinner substrate and won't erode the corys' barbels like gravel
5 and 6.)Guide to Starting a Freshwater Aquarium - Aquarium Advice


Hope this helps