Centre Piece Suggestions For 40 Ltr Planted Tank

[jonnyuk]

hi there, had my tanked setup now for about 6 weeks. its a 40 ltr 75% planted tank, 13" in width, 13" depth and 16" high, fluval u2 filter, aquaqube 18w light on for about 8 hours a day

currently have in it

5 shrimp (2 red crystal, 2 cheery 2 yellow)
4 ember terea
4 C. axelrodi
4 galaxy rasbora when i can find them
10 trumpit snails

currenly have 4 fry molly but will be found new homes and two platies, also to be found new homes.

ph is at about 7.5 but i want to get this down to the 7.0ish, temp is 25.

as per the title i'm after two centre piece fish that are slight bigger than the tetra's and cory. i was looking at the dwarf gourami but i don't really want to bred them or destroying my plants. i have read lots that if you have two males and not a big tank you will get one that bullies the other, to death in some instances.
is my tank big enough for 1 male and 2 females or should i go for just one male, one female.

Or has somebody got a better suggestion

thanks
jonathan

 

[Verminator89]

Go for one male and two females. Also the dwarf gourami's won't destroy your plants, they technically won't touch them at all. I'd be surprised if they do. In a tank that size, with the fish you have the dwarf gourami will make a welcome addition.

 

[mattlee]

female dwarf gouramis are not really centre piece fish in my eyes as they are very grey and quite dull compared to the very colourfull males. i would just get 1 male and add to the ember tetras, maybe another 4 or 5

 

[Carlovel1]

How about some Sparkling Gouramis?
Every one alway say Dwarf Gouramis are centrepiece fish, now they are so common they are just boring . Sparkling gouramis and cuter and cheaper

 

[jonnyuk]

thanks for the suggestions, i was lookng at the red gourami's, they look stunning. so one male gourami will be ok on its own, does not need a tank mate?

i was wanting more ember tetra's but was not sure on stocking levels. good to know i can a 3 or 4 more.

any other suggestions that are'nt gourami's?

 

[jonnyuk]

well i picked m y rasbora today, they are brilliant little fish. whilst i was there i asked about adding a dwaf gourami to my tank, both assistance said they would eat my rasbora, now my other lfs saif they would be ok as long as did not get an aggressive one.

what are peoples opinions on this, also ideas for an other centre piece fish if i can't have gouramis

 

[Timmy_Bee]

I have got two gourami as a 'centre piece' in a tank full of Barbs. Got two males and they are find with each other / other tank mates. The only issue is that they are slowly becoming less of a centre piece becase everything else is growing so much!

How about a couple of sword tail? they wont be massive compared to their mates, but i've always thought they look good (i cant have them cos my barbs would nibble them to pieces...

 

[jonnyuk]

think i'm going to follow mattlee and get one male dwarf gourami. my local maidenhead has got a batch of new ones in and they are stunning.

on another note, what do people do with unwanted fish, can't find a home for my 4 mollies, my lfs stores don't want them, my dad, brother and friends who have tanks dont want them. suggestions?

 

[fluttermoth]

You could put them on Aquarist Classified; most people who put fish on there seem to find some one to take them, though I haven't done it myself.