Help me decide - Please :)

[chrism]

Ok, I've got a near empty 45 Gal tank. Only occupants are 2 Bristle nose plecos. It's planted, with Co2 injection. 2 Filters, Rena XP 2 & Ehim pro II 2026 (i think) eco complete as the substrate. Tap water is ~7ph and slightly hard.

I can't decide what to fill it with! I've got a few good local fish shops that will order stock in for me if they haven't got it so I've got quite a few options... So please pick which one you'd go with out of the options below!! I like them all equally - haven't got enough tanks!

I've only kept rams & ottos before so any personal experiences you can provide on these fish would also be apriciated

Thanks in advance!

[theotheragentm]

Gouramis are semi-territorial and will chase others around. I have one gold and two blue in my tank and they will chase one another off once in a while. I'm not sure this is necessarily a horrible thing, but it's just a head's up.

[chrism]

Ah ok cool... Are they territorial with each other or other species? would the 2 Golds squabble, or would they just bother the blue dwarfs?

[theotheragentm]

They will squabble both with their same kind and with other varieties.

[evercl92]

I'd go with 1 of a larger gourami specie or maybe 2 of the dwarfs. Irian rainbows get 6-7 inches, and need more swimming area. I've not heard of a "false" neon tetra.

I don't see an issue with a school of tetras, a pair of GBR's, 6 cories, kuhli's and some otos. All of this with a staggered introduction of course, not all at once.

[sudz]

I personally had 2 blue goruami's in a 44 pentegon. I had to seperate them! Now one is in my 15 gallon and gets along fine with my angels. They're not graceful fish. I prefer the rainbows!

[Zagz]

I vote for the rainbow choice, rainbows are more peaceful and easier to keep together IMO.

[chrism]

Oh blimey, I'd always thought of them as peacful fish... Thanks for the advice! Think I'll go with 1 of the larger Gourami's, to start with and build from there cories kuhli and ottos sounds like a great plan - i love them all!