stocking for 15 gallon column

[Mycomuse]

I have gotten my first tank. It is a 15 gallon tank with a 14x14 in base. I have planted the tank with a few plants and have added a piece of spider driftwood. Now I am trying to decide on fish.

When I went to the LFS I really liked a few of the fish.

I really pretty sure that I want a small school of reed tetra for my middle swimmers. From what I can find they are very small moderately active fish.

For my bottom level I was originally thinking about getting some pygmy Cory's. However, I fell in love with rams. Would it be possible to keep a pair of rams in my tank?

For the top I was thinking of getting a pair of either platys or maybe guppies.

Finally, I was going to get snails and/or shrimp to help with algae and left over food.

I would really like to have all the fish from the same area of the world.

So, does it seem reasonable to eventually have
6-10 reed tetras
2 rams
2 platys
And a snail or a few shrimp

In my tank?

I would be more than wiling to wait a few months before getting the rams.
Any other ideas on top swimmers from south america that would work in my tank? I know that guppies at least prefer hard water so they might not work well with the soft water rams.

 

[tomtom14]

Yes all seems good. Look at marbled hatchet fish they are from South America and look amazing, they also shoal so 4 would be a good number. Have to warn you though they jump. I had them they are an amazing fish for the surface I recommend them for you.

 

[FWFishTanks]

On top of what tomtom said, get a few tall or floating plants if you get hatchets, the will feel more comfortable.

 

[Mycomuse]

Unfortunately, my husband has vetoed hatchet fish from my tank. Any other options?

 

[azmodan]

I wouldn't recommend rams in a tank that small, particularly one with such a small footprint. How about something like a honey gourami instead?