40 Gallon Breeder Stocking

GirldadFishguy · May 28, 2026

Over the past couple years I have downsized to a single 40 gallon breeder that honestly got neglected after the birth of my daughter. I'm trying to get back into the hobby and maintain it better again. In doing so, I've decided to go a different route on stocking. In the past I've done one or two larger centerpieces and then built around what could survive with them. However, this time I'm going smaller and more kinds of fish for more activity. I've got a couple ideas that I'd like some input on.

Currently I have the following.
6 Srerbai Corys
6 Checker Barbs
10 Ember Tetras
1 Bristlenose Pleco
1 Random Platy (may or may not find a new home)

Along with this, I'm pretty sure I want to get 2-4 gold honey gouramis for more upper level activity and life, and maybe up the ember tetras a little more.

After that I'm having a hard time deciding what to do, or if I even should do more. These ideas include a keyhole cichlid or a pair of Bolivian rams. I also considered just increasing the number of corys and embers and throwing in another pleco, be it another bristlenose or a different dwarf.

What says the group? I'm also open to other fun and peaceful addition ideas if you have any other suggestions. Thanks in advance!

Also including a picture to show what I'm working with. I would like to get some more plants along the way too. As you can see, you kind of have to hunt down the current residents.

anewbie · May 28, 2026

I would get more cory - maybe 8 or 10; though the female sterbai will get pretty large. platy is a hard water fish the others soft water fish so either yu have hard water or soft water and pick appropriately.

I would drop the pleco and depending on other things maybe the honey.

Back in the fold · May 28, 2026

Your plants look nice and with time that small saggitaria , or whatever it is , in the foreground should go wild .

GirldadFishguy · May 28, 2026

Back in the fold said:
Your plants look nice and with time that small saggitaria , or whatever it is , in the foreground should go wild .

It's definitely expanded since it was added, but not really like I hoped for. I struggle with plants. They're a lot harder to take care of than the fish to me.

anewbie · May 29, 2026

GirldadFishguy said:
It's definitely expanded since it was added, but not really like I hoped for. I struggle with plants. They're a lot harder to take care of than the fish to me.

You have to pick the plants for the type of water you have - hard water plants for hard water and soft water plants for soft water; also patience - usually it can take a year or 18 months for plants to really figure things out in a new environment.

Back in the fold · May 29, 2026

GirldadFishguy said:
It's definitely expanded since it was added, but not really like I hoped for. I struggle with plants. They're a lot harder to take care of than the fish to me.

Same here . Me and plants never do seem to click . I only do well with the simplest ones . I figure it’s mostly lighting and since my lighting is either absent altogether on most of my aquariums or just plain cheap and low tech where I do have it I’m relegated to Hornwort and Duckweed .