Would this be ok?
1 Keyhole (or something similar))
6-8 tetras or a school of rainbows
1+ Gouramis
Bottom dwellers
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Well, yes. But i would add more and switch it up to make it region specific.
Lets starts with Gouramis. Asian fish, i do believe. Can be aggressive to anything smaller and usually kill other Gouramis, meaning you either want 1, or a pair, or a larger group. They also lack the personality which, IMO, is important.
Keyhole, a very small and timid South American Cichlid. Someone said they get big... They stay around about 3 inches, usually. Give or take a bit. Not super colorful, and i stress: timid. They will not do well with boisterous tankmates like Gouramis, and may be out competed for falling food by Rainbows and bullied away from food on the bottom by pretty much any bottom-feeder except Corydoras. Not a great beginner fish, i think, due to its usual timidity.
Last, Rainbows. Australian/New Zealand describes the origins of most. These are colorful, not very aggressive, fast, and fun. May stress the Keyholes.
Bottom-feeders often aren't the center of attention and thus can be added in later. Commonly Cories, Loaches of various species, and other small Catfish are used.
So if you want Rainbows, you can do a specie tank. Or mix some varieties. Or maybe use them as a dither group for pair of Firemouth Cichlids, as they are big/fast enough to do fine with them. A group of Boisemani with some Killifish and some Pictus Cats could be nice, IMO.
Keyholes do best in a planted, serene environment with peaceful tankmates.
Gouramis can go with a lot depending on specie. The smallest are very weak and timid, the ones a size up are good community tankmates (Dwarf Gourami) and the mid-sizers are decent in certain circumstance (like Pearl or Opaline). The very biggest aren't suitable for this tank. However, Dwarf and Pearl Gouramis look nice with some of the Tetras. They shouldn't go with nippy/aggressive fish. I would think a group of 6+ Pearl Gouramis, a large school of Rummynose Tetras, and a bunch of Cories on some black gravel would be beautiful.
Lets go to Cichlids. Some fish that could work in this tank are: Firemouth Cichlid, Rainbow Cichlid, Jack Dempsey Cichlid, Convict Cichlid, Salvini Cichlid, Green Terror Cichlid, possibly Nicaragua Cichlid, possibly Texas Cichlid, arguably and Oscar, and arguably Severums. Look into all of those fish and tell us what you like, and they might be a good fit for you. Some will have to live alone. If you want details on each fish, ask and i will give what i can.
Also; wet-pets. They aren't really harder than anything else. If you planned on taking care of a group of Cichlids you would have just as much if not more on your hands as a wet-pet. So this can still be an option for you.
If money cant buy happiness, that why do I need a job? I mean, I should be getting these fish free, since I don't have to pay for happy...
