125L Stocking

Joshwainwright · Feb 27, 2011

My 125L is currently cycling and I'm rather unsure what I should stock once the cycle is complete in a few weeks. I did make a full stocking list but I have decided some fish may not be suitable and some may be too boring.

The old list was as follows:

12 Neon Tetras
6 Peppered Corys
A Pair of Dwarf Gouramis
1 Bristlenosed plec

As Neon's are rather weak when it comes to newly established aquariums, I have considered cardinal tetras instead. Also, I have considered having one larger Blue Gourami rather than the pair of dwarfs.

Some possible other stocking lists:

12 Cardinal Tetras
6 Peppered Corts
1 Blue Gourami
1 Bristlenosed plec

12 Cardinal Tetras
6 Peppered Corys
1 Pearl Gourami
1 Bristlenosed plec

What stocking list do you think would be best?
I'm open to suggestions!

Joshwainwright · Feb 27, 2011

12 Cardinal Tetras
6 Peppered Corys
A Pair of Dwarf Gouramis
1 Bristlenosed plec

or

Joshwainwright · Feb 27, 2011

I'm not sure which to go for. :unsure:

fishy55599 · Feb 27, 2011

which do you like more?
i am also pretty sure u can add more if u want.

Joshwainwright · Feb 27, 2011

I know I'd be able to add more I just don't want to start off fully stocked as I want some room to possibly add more fish later on. Obviously I haven't decided what yet.

As for what I think is best:

12 Cardinal Tetras
6 Peppered Corys
A Pair of Dwarf Gouramis
1 Bristlenosed plec

I just haven't found any nice Dwarf Gouramis yet. :unsure:

Carlovel1 · Feb 27, 2011

The only difference betweeen those are Gourami species. YAY! :hyper:

Unfortunately, I have myself had a Pearl Gourami in a 125L tank. The poor thing grew and began to look very cramped in the tank. Then it started getting very cranky and aggressive and it killed some of the Tetras. Almost like Claustrophobia. So got moved to my 300 litre tank, where it is back to it's normal peaceful state. For that reason, I say don't go for Pearl Gouramis unless you have a bigger tank.

Blue/Gold/Oplaine/Moonlight Gouramis all grow slightly larger than Pearls so they are a definite no.

Dwarfs should be ok in your tank. Personally I would keep only one male as they can turn aggressive when with females IME. Or a much better alternative would be a group of Honey Gourami. Perhaps 1 male and as many females as you want. There are also some nice colour morphs of them, Yellow Honeys, Red Honeys...

Or if you want a slightly larger Gourami, the Thick Lip Gourami is a gorgeous species. As peaceful as Honeys and large like Dwarfs. Infact, slightly larger than Dwarfs, rarely growing more than 7cm. The Orange Thick Lip Gourami is the most colourful colour morph of them.

To simplify:

NO- Pearl Gourami, Blue Gourami (also called 3 Spot Gourami), Gold Gourami, Moonlight Gourami
YES-Dwarf Gourami, Honey Gourami, Thick Lip Gourami, Banded Gourami

Joshwainwright · Feb 27, 2011

Carlovel1 said:
The only difference betweeen those are Gourami species. YAY!
Unfortunately, I have myself had a Pearl Gourami in a 125L tank. The poor thing grew and began to look very cramped in the tank. Then it started getting very cranky and aggressive and it killed some of the Tetras. Almost like Claustrophobia. So got moved to my 300 litre tank, where it is back to it's normal peaceful state. For that reason, I say don't go for Pearl Gouramis unless you have a bigger tank.

Blue/Gold/Oplaine/Moonlight Gouramis all grow slightly larger than Pearls so they are a definite no.

Dwarfs should be ok in your tank. Personally I would keep only one male as they can turn aggressive when with females IME. Or a much better alternative would be a group of Honey Gourami. Perhaps 1 male and as many females as you want. There are also some nice colour morphs of them, Yellow Honeys, Red Honeys...

Or if you want a slightly larger Gourami, the Thick Lip Gourami is a gorgeous species. As peaceful as Honeys and large like Dwarfs. Infact, slightly larger than Dwarfs, rarely growing more than 7cm. The Orange Thick Lip Gourami is the most colourful colour morph of them.

To simplify:

NO- Pearl Gourami, Blue Gourami (also called 3 Spot Gourami), Gold Gourami, Moonlight Gourami
YES-Dwarf Gourami, Honey Gourami, Thick Lip Gourami, Banded Gourami

Hmm, I think that narrows it down to the pair of Dwarfs or some Honeys. It's probably going to depend on stock at my not so LFS (seeing as my LFS is rubbish) and what catches my eye the most.

I'm definitely looking to stock more than one Gourami so I shall either have to risk it with the pair of dwarfs or find some nice Honey Gouramis, as you said.