Would this be a good set up form my 10 gal?

[abomb]

I curently have 6 neon tetras in my 10 gal i was thinking about adding these fish

FIsh list 10 gal

6 neon tetras
3 cory cats
2 dwarf gourmai

I dont know about the dwarfs but i wanted to have some fish who would utilize the top portion of my tank. And cory or some other bottom feeders to help keep my tank clean. Any other sugestions would help. I apreciate any input

Adam

[Christmasfish]

If you have two dwarf gourami they will "pair up" and breed. Which after that the male will tear up everything in his nest territory (which he may well decide is the whole tank!).
Size wise it was looking good.
See if some of the multi specie keeper can suggest an easier going top dweller.
Many gourami like to sleep on the bottom., which is why aggressive bottom dwellers and clawed shrimp are usually no-no's for gourami tanks.

[Allivymar]

Hiya abomb and welcome to aquariumadvice

Coupla things. Chances are you'll wind up with 2 male dwarf gouramis. Females are a rare find (they aren't as pretty as the males so most places don't carry em). The thing to be aware of is male dwarf gouramis are territorial lil buggers, and theres a good chance one will kill the other. That being said, I have had 3 in my 10g with no problems. But thats not the norm. Either get one, or have a backup plan in case you need to remove one.

Overall tho, thats a great stocking list for a 10g. Thumbs up on getting at least 3 corys; they are schooling fish and for them 3 is a minimum for them to be happy. Same with the 6 neons.

[lmw80]

I agree with Allivymar. In my experience, 2 dwarf guramis will either get along with no problems or will fight, most of the time until the death. I would say just get one dwarf gourami. You say you you already have 6 neons, and want to get 6 more....that will be 12 neons, 3 corys and 1 dwarf gourami...that, to me, sounds absolutly perfect.

[Fruitbat]

I do understand your desire to have all levels of your tank occupied. Might I suggest that, instead of gouramis, you consider hatchetfish. These come from the same general area as your neons and your proposed Corydoras. Hatchetfish are topwater fish, are generally peaceful and thrive in an aquarium that is well-maintained. They'll get along marvelously with your other tank inhabitants.

Do note that is is absoutely essential that you keep your tank completely covered if you opt for hatchetfish. Hatchets are actually 'flying fish' (unlike the saltwater flying fish which simply glide, hatchetfish can flap their pectoral fins like wings) so they will jump out of your tank if given an opportunity.

[abomb]

thanks for all the help but i am curious is there any other fish besides hatchetfish that are good top dwellers that would go nicely in my 10 gal??? i would realy like to get somethign colorful or that is a swimmer and would like maybe to have at least 2 of them

10 gal
6 neons
3 corys
????????????????

adam

[Menagerie]

Look up Badis badis to see how they would do in a community tank. I have a species tank for them--they like mid to upper levels and are sooooo cute.

[Christmasfish]

Aren't badis the Siamese chameleon fish?
Aren't they prone to fin nipping?
(though that prolly isn't a prob with fast tetras)

They are also a little bigger than betta fish body wise (if thet are the fish I am thinkin of) and kinda cichlid shaped? Can they eat neons?
It seems that everything that can...does.....^_^

[QTOFFER]

Two or three zebra danios would go well with your proposed number of neons and corys. They are lightning fast. My zebras will check out the entire tank, but they pretty much stay near the surface.

[Leigh]

Sorry to hijack this thread, but I have a 10 gallon tank that I am currently cycling and am looking for suitable fish. My pH level is approximately 8. Would the above mentioned fish do OK in this water?

[Menagerie]

Badis (Badis badis burmanicus), and Siamese Badis (Badis badis siamensis). Personally, I keep 6 in a Badis badis only tank with a giant fake plant and natural wood. I have not noticed a problem with nipping, but that is why one researches fish before purchasing! According to this site: http://aquadex.info/fish/Badis_badis.cfm, Badis do not make good community fish, who knew, mine are so docile!

Leigh--you can change your pH to meet the needs of your fish, once you decide who will be going in the tank. What are you thinking of adding to your tank?

[Christmasfish]

Changing pH is tricky with little tanks that are hared to measure for.
Though in peat filters and driftwod lower it, it may not lower it in controlable numbers.
pH up and pH down can be mad science.

The above species mentioned on the thread starters post are all low pH/acidic water tropicals. And neons are notoriously sensitve to big changes (but supposedly great if they like your water).
There are some small colorful cichlids that like hard water, but I am not sure if they are small enough for a 10 gallon.
Most of my fish are darkwater tropicals so like my tap (artesian source 7.0 &acidic, medium sediments low-zero metals, usually unchlorinated)

I think there is another small schooling fish that likes it hard. I can think of its look but not the current name..swordtails.

I think livebearers are not as bothered by higher pH. But don't hold me to it..I don't keep em.

BTW: grEAT explaining of water ph and importance....:
http://www.bellaonline.com/ArticlesP/art8110.asp

[Leigh]

Unfortunately I can't change the pH of the water. I tried using gallons of "pH down" chemicals but the pH didn't budge. My water comes from a well and seems determined not to move below ~pH8.

As for fish I'm considering, I'm a complete beginner so have no real idea, but would like something with colour and lots of them, hence my thoughts of the neon tetras but reading that the fish mentioned in this thread like low pH, I'd better reconsider. Any ideas?

I believe livebearers prefer high pH (like Christmasfish mentions) so maybe corys at the bottom of the tank, but what about in the middle and top. Also, how many? Is the 1" to 1 gallon a good rule of thumb?

[Menagerie]

It's a decent "rule" to start with. A 10 gal tank will fill up fast!
Have a look at this article on pH: http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.u...article_id=101

[Centurion]

if you didnt get the same2 dwarfs i think youd be ok. when my first gouramis were in the 10g before i bought my 2nd 55, 2 dwarf fire gouramis did not get along at all. one eventually ended up killing the other. so silly me bought a more expensive powder blue dwarf. this time however he went in they checked each other out, and leave each other alone. and i must say the powder blue is a strikingly beautiful fish.

[Christmasfish]

That is iffy.
My wild colisa will shred any and every high body fish to pieces and then start on any that look at him funny. With only a 10 to start and no plan for a emergency tank..has no QT even... It is better not to get unpreddictable an notable aggressive /semi-aggrassive fish. there are tons available that school together nicely. just takes searching