Advice on stocking 25G

[njordsdomain]

Hello, everyone!

I was hoping for some advice on stocking my new 25gal freshwater fish tank! The tank is currently cycling, and I plan on going fish shopping this weekend with the purpose of stocking what I'd like to be a fairly peaceful and happy community tank. It is also live-planted. After extensive research, I have three primary ideas on what I would like:

A) 1 male betta
5 neon tetras
5 harlequin rasbora
3 ghost shrimp/3 snails/1 clown pleco

B) 1 male dwarf gourami
5 neon tetras
5 harlequin rasbora
3 ghost shrimp/3 snails/1 clown pleco

C) 5-7 female bettas (for a sorority tank)

While I have grown up around aquariums all my life, I am new to developing my own little ecosystems. That being said, I'd love some input on these options. Thanks!

 

[MJPO]

Hi! I'd say that instead of having two types of schoolers, you could make it 7/8 of either the tetras or rasboras. This would mean you would have room for some bottom feeders like various Cory cats. I love ghost shrimp though. I'd warn against a pleco just because I always have been told they need very large tanks but I could be wrong.

 

[Floop123]

A) would not work because male bettas can get aggressive. I think a pair of small killifish would work well. Be sure not to get annual killies. They die within a year

 

[Barliman]

It is also live-planted. After extensive research, I have three primary ideas on what I would like:

I'd go 7-8 rasboras with the betta (even peaceful neons might get a little nippy seeing his fins). Just one thing: bettas and tank mates are a crap shoot. Some will be chill with sharing their tank, others will put on a goalie mask and change their name to "Jason."

You'll jut have to keep an eye on things and be ready to separate them.

I love Dwarf Gouramis, but I've read that the current population often carries some sort of disease. You might do better with a single male Honey Dwarf Gourami.