Fish Compatibility in new 180L tank

[LMitch]

Hi! I have been keeping tropical fish for around 10 years now but I am just about to set up my biggest tank yet (180L) and I was wondering if you could help

I am thinking once the tank has been set up and cycled for a few weeks I would like the following fish:

• Dwarf Gouramis
• Larger Gourami such as Blue or Honey
• Small angels
• Rainbow fish
• Cardinal or Neon tetras
• Bristlenose Pleco
• Corydora
  
  so, would these fish be compatible and if so how many of each would you recommend for a 180L tank? Open to suggestions of other species but I really want the Gouramis to be the Center piece! Thanks

Luke

 

[itiwhetu]

Not the Angels or Rainbows, Stay away from Blue Gourami. Have a look at another Tetra say Black Phantoms. If you want a Cichlid go for an Apistogramma of some type. I would skip the Dwarf Gouramis and look at Chocolate Gourami's and maybe Whiptail Catfish.

 

[Essjay]

Pearl gouramis would also work in a tank this size - 1 male and 3 or 4 females. But as itiwhetu said, not with angels or rainbows.

 

[Circus]

Pearl Gourami are pretty peaceful fish, and I think they look very graceful. I would avoid mixing large cichlids with anabantoids like Gourami. Small angles always become large angels, and might eat any.fish that can fit in their mouth.

 

[LMitch]

Pearl gouramis would also work in a tank this size - 1 male and 3 or 4 females. But as itiwhetu said, not with angels or rainbows.

I like Pearl gouramis, any reason no rainbows? I have three rainbows in a separate tank at the moment that I was hoping to move into the new tank

 

[Essjay]

Rainbows are often hard water fish while all the other fish on your list are soft water fish. You don't say which species of rainbowfish so they could be one of the species that's OK in soft water.

The rainbows I've kept in the past (dwarf rainbows, Melanotaenia praecox) were hyperactive, and fast swimming fish don't mix well with sedate fish like gouramis. Fast swimmers seem to upset slow swimmers just by their behaviour.

 

[LMitch]

Rainbows are often hard water fish while all the other fish on your list are soft water fish. You don't say which species of rainbowfish so they could be one of the species that's OK in soft water.

The rainbows I've kept in the past (dwarf rainbows, Melanotaenia praecox) were hyperactive, and fast swimming fish don't mix well with sedate fish like gouramis. Fast swimmers seem to upset slow swimmers just by their behaviour.

I have one dwarf rainbow and 2 small boesemans rainbows. I did keep them with a pair of Pearl gouramis a couple of years ago and they seemed okay together but you’re the expert! Thanks