advice on Stocking my 40 galllon long

[Waver484]

Hi I am planning on acquiring a 40g gallon long planted tank. I have done loads of research and fell in love with pictus catfish and rope fish. I have considered cichlids however a year ago a yellow lab killed all my fish. I would like to get at least 1 small schooling fish, 1; 4-5 inch fish and something to go at the top. So my stocking ideas are:
Pictus catfish
x2 - already have 2 they were the only ones left at the store

Ropefish
x1- depending how the tank is stocked i may get 2 but there expensive were i live
X1-African butterfly fish

Long finned Serpae tetra
X5-concerned they will nip the butter fly fish’s fins can be changed

Rummy nose tetra
X5- instead of Serpaes but concerned Pictus and Rope will a snack out of them

Chocolate Gourami
X1 -not hell bent on this on

True Siamese algae eater
X1- already have one but i can give it away to make room

Yoyo loach
X1-Ii had 2 but one went missing and i never found it

Redline torpedo barbs
X4- there expensive where i live but concerned they are to fragile

Odesa barbs
X5-Instead of serapes

Pearl Gourami
X1

This list is still subject to change and obviously will not have all these fish but there are some which I really want to get thank you in advance for and thoughts and suggestions.

 

[Delapool]

Hi, welcome - well, to get started, I do have the yoyo loaches and great fish. Dwarf loaches might be another if pressed on room. I've found they need at least 3 to be happy and will jump if tank not covered.

 

[rlederer]

I have two thoughts. I strongly feel that virtually all fish are happier and healthier in groups, so I'd go for 2 gouramis of one species rather than two of different species. Same with ropefish and butterfly fish and the others.Second, 4-5 inch fish are too big for a 40 gallon tank. I've got a 90 gallon tank with a few 5 inch fish in it and that's about right but sometimes I think the tank could be larger.

 

[Waver484]

Thanks for the advice Delapool, I watched a video on them and they look so full of life. My only concern is if they can hold there own with the pictus and rope ?

 

[Waver484]

Thanks rlederer, I want to get more than 1 rope however i was concerned about space, didn't plan on get 2 butterfly fish I thought 1 would dominate the top unless they were opposite genders. So no SAE? Also which would be best the serpaes, rummy noses or odesas?