A single cichlid in a community tank?

[FishyMamma]

I was picking up filter media at a LFS and spied this beauty:


Same fish with tank light off: [Electric Blue Acara]


I'm starting a fishless cycle today in a 55 gal tank. Black sand/Eco-complete bottom, live plants (just a few to start with due to accumulated expenses). It's very well filtered.

I'm planning on the following:
*9 albino or other Cory, dependent upon availability - single species only
*12 neon tetras
*12 rummy-nosed tetras
*Opaline Gourami
(AqAdvisor says this is 83% stocked and does warn that the Gourami may be too aggressive with the tetras.)

Would adding a single EBA be acceptable/reasonable? If so, where in the order of tank stocking should it be introduced? Any difference between male or female when living a a single specimen in a community tank?



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[josh7]

If you want the acara you should ditch the gourami and look into larger tetras,
I would do a stock like this
9 Cory Cats
6 congo tetras
6 buenos aires tetras
1 Acara

 

[FishyMamma]

Thanks! Lots to think about..



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[TheresaM]

I agree! I'd worry about small tetras (rasboras, etc) becoming snacks for the acara....