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I'm a bit bias when it comes to DGs and HGs, Every single one I've ever gotten has died for no reason. Fully cycled tank, peaceful tankmates, no clear infection or diseases, they even eat and socialize just fine. Then suddenly, less than 2 weeks after I get them, PLOOP! Dead fish.
Oh dear. I just looked them up a bit and the wiki page I found says they're prone to disease and about 25 percent has a certain disease. :s right now I'm leaning towards nano fish (rainbow tetras) and something for a centerpiece for the tank! Which was what I would want a dg for
+1 absolutangel04's stock suggestions and advice! Definitely skip the BNP, but later on you can look into getting a few otocinclus when your tank has matured a bit.
Nano fish are your best options as the average tetra such as rummynose, neons, and cardinals would do better with more horizontal swimming space. Some of these were mentioned already but here are some nano fish worth looking for:
Celestial pearl danios
Dwarf emerald rasboras
Chili rasboras (or any micro rasbora)
Green neon tetras
Ember tetras
Endlers
Least killifish
Clown killifish
Sparkling gourami
Scarlet badis
Spotted blue eyed rainbowfish
Also:
Red cherry shrimp
Amano shrimp
Centerpiece:
Honey gourami (generally much healthier than dwarf gouramis, also they stay a bit smaller and are less prone to being randomly aggressive)
Peacock gudgeon
Betta
Misc:
Dwarf puffers (would have to be a species tank and you could only probably do 2-3)
So many options! But in the long run I'll probably have to go with whatever the pet store has to offer. But now I have this to look at while I'm there the only thing I'll have to be careful about is the amount I get.
+1 on the green neon tetras, very attractive especially when put with cardinal tetras. I would say Killifish as well but they tend to be more expensive, and a bit more needy.
As for a centerpiece, this site says they are "Difficult" to care for but they really aren't, a German Blue Ram would make a magnificent centerpiece.
I personally think it's debatable. I've seen GBRs successfully kept in an 8 gallon Aqueon Evolve which is quite cramped. But if we are thinking for the best comfort of the fish you are most likely correct.
I've seen one kept in a 2 1/2 gallon before. It's all possible and they'll often survive, but yeah I guess I'm talking more about minimum requirements for them to thrive while sharing space in a community setting.
So yeah I will agree with you, a ram is probably a bad idea. Putting any fish in a container of water any less than 1 gallon though, that kills me. That's why I always wanna buy all the Bettas at my LFS lol
That is how I feel with all the betas I usually see at walmart :c I always want to just buy them all! I've seen the blue rams but was afraid it would end up dying so I decided to wait until I upgrade. They are beautiful.