Help Needed

[BaylorPerez]

So i was talking to my LFS(Petco and Keller Fish farms) and they said that any Cichild that i would get would endanger my Corie Catfish(Albino Cories). Is this true? and if so, would just getting Rainbow Fish/Harelquinns be good, or is there another fish species i could do with my cories that wont harm or endanger my poor catfish

 

[Baccus]

The advise is technically correct in that almost any cichlid could endanger your corydoras. I hope they went on to explain how the cichlids could do this and didnt just make a blanket claim. Any way the reasons that cichlids can/ could/ might endnager or harm your corydoras is that invaribly when cichlids pair up and breed they also claim a territory where they will have the eggs or store the fry. This territory the cichlids can guard aggressively against all comers including a fish keepers hands. Corydoras however have no idea about territories and bumble into over fishes "space" as they go about their food hunting activities. Small cichlids can nip at corydoras causing harm and damage to the fins, tails and eyes of the corydoras. Where as bigger cichlids can take the aggression further and try to eat the corydoras. This attempted eating can cause the death of both fish, especially since a corydoras only defense against a mouth attack is to throw out their pectrol and dorsal spins these can lodge in the mouth/ throat of the bigger fish and cause the bigger fish to in effect sufficate to death.
 
Even though many common cichlids come from the same waterways as many of the corydoras species does not mean they are compatiable in the confined space of a tank, when the two species may never encounter each other in the wild due to different habitats/ sections of river the various species inhabit.
 
There are lots of fish species that would still be compatible with corydoras, but they may not all come from the same country or even similar waterways, so if you had wanted to make a Bio-type tank it would not be a true representation since the fish may come from other countries.
 
Previously I have mentioned Rainbow fish as an option because you wanted I believe larger fish, to be more of a centre piece show. But a large school (tank size permitting of course) of Pacific Blue Eyes would also make a dazzling display even if their colours are not as eye popping as what is generally expected of tropical fish. But they certainly will not disappoint with their stunning electric blue eyes and the flashing quick as lightening sparring of the males as they try to attract females.  Another fish that is often over looked and rarely kept in schools which is a shame is Glass Catfish. Glass Catfish even though they are see through and not colourful are interesting fish and like being in schools. In fact when enough numbers cant be kept a mirror can come in handy to make it seem to the fish that there is more of them in the school.
Less challenging than glass catfish would be most of the common tetra species especially along the lines of Cardinal Tetras, Neon Tetra, Golden Tetra, Black Neon Tetra, or the stunning Congo Tetra. Emperor tetras are also stunners.
 
Moving away from fishy companions you could keep with your corydoras some nice snails aside from Apple/ Mystery and the hunt can be on to find some of the less common but still pretty in their own right snails.
Shrimp too can be kept with corydoras, just stay away from Macrobachium species of shrimp.

 

[NickAu]

Pearl Gouramis would work with corys, The male Pearl is one of the most stunning freshwater fish.
 

 

[BaylorPerez]

with the speaking of Cichilds, they just told me that they are aggressive towards my catfish. not really explaining as to why they would die or get harmed by the cichilds. As i am going with Rainbowfish, i would go for the mated angel fish as well,(getting just 1 pair of 2),  With more fish that i could add, the pacific blue eyes is one that i will see where to find it, as well as how many would be good. And for the Rainbow fish i plan on getting 3-4(im not sure on how many to get as the Wiki doesnt say if its a small group or large group fish). And as long as my water permits, the shrimp would be helpful rather than getting rid of my cories(i love the little as ive had them for so long)the same goes for gourmais

 

[BaylorPerez]

Now doing some searching, Gourmis like a ph of 6.5-7.0 while mine usually gets to about 7.6-7.8. Are there any other species of gourmis that can withstand this Ph. or another type of large fish(hopefully not aggressive) that i can pair with the rainbowfish, and cory Cats

 

[Byron]

Baccus provided a good response, and I willnot repeat.  Only want to say that "cichlids" encompasses a great many species, but generally speaking they do share traits and one of these is territoriality especially in the males.  I had a male Bolivian Ram in my 115g five-foot tank for more than seven years, the only cichlid in a tank of over a hundred other fish from the tetras and corys, and it was entertaining to sit and notice how clearly every fish in that tank knew that the space belonged to the Ram.  There was never any physical aggression, except some shoving by the ram to push corys away from "his" food tablet, but the Ram controlled the entire tank.  I won't go into the specifics of how this was so obvious, but merely mention that the personality of cichlids usually expresses itself to other fish, even if we don't see any interaction.
 
To the rainbows, what species are you considering?  Three of four is no where near sufficient; these are shoaling fish and need a group.  If you give us the species, and the tank size (is this the 55g still?) we can comment further, but you will want at least six or seven of any species, and some may need more.
 
Gourami is another group of fish that bear considerable similarities with cichlids in their territoriality and aggressive nature, again especially the males.  Some species are more obvious at this than others, and the Pearl is one of the more peaceful.  Corys would have no problems with PEarls, but other upper fish have to be carefully considered as the gourami are sedate fish with flowing fins, and smaller shoaling fish frequently find this a temptation to fin nip.  You mention the pH, but before I go into that, what is the GH and KH?  These are actually more important for the fish, and the pH is related.
 
Byron.

 

[Baccus]

As Byron said it will help a great deal if you can let us know which species of Rainbow fish you are looking at keeping because some rainbow fish get much larger than others, but they all like to school. Smaller rainbow species that you should be able to get include Dwarf Neon Rainbows and Threadfin Rainbows, even with these two species there is quite a large size difference which will affect stocking rates.
For Pacific Blue Eyes I would look at least 12 with more females than males, similar to Guppy ratios of 2 females per male and have plenty of plants to offer hiding places and/ or spawning sites. This will allow the males to spar but not one dominate male constantly harass one other male it will also give females a chance to avoid the attentions of males. Of course numbers depends on the actual size and filter capacity of the tank, other inhabitants and the actual numbers of availability. I know myself at times it is only possible to get 1 or 2 of a desired fish and then have to wait for long periods until more are available, if ever.
I currently have 3 male Pacific Blue Eyes with 5 females in a 31cm x 58cm x 31 cm (56L) quite heavily filtered, and fairly well planted, with only shrimp some snails and a whiptail as companions. These fish have started spawning and there has been no health issues, this tank is also a long established tank with a fully mature filter.
The only stocking rate I have been able to find relating to Pacific Blue Eyes is designed for dams with no filtration, only food source natural i.e mosquito and other wildlife and limited or no plants. This stocking rate is 5 Pacific Blue Eyes per square Metre. A tank situation is of course very different in that you will be providing food, filtration and plants for cover.

 

[BaylorPerez]

My Gh usually maxes out at around 4-6. While my Ph maxes at 7.8. The lowest ive seen it go was for my neon tetras which was 7.3.
 
As for the species of RainbowFish i was considering the Banded Rainbow or the Lake Kutubu RainbowFish. And for the Gourmi i was going for the Pearl gourmis. And both of these will go into the 55Gal i had changed to rather than a 75 i had mistakenly bought off of Craigs list.
 
Moreover i think i want to get the fish that wont harass my corys, while also getting some that are big enough(As big as the Pearl Gourmis) but none bigger as to endanger the corys.
 
The Gourmis and Rainbow fish(big ones as to 10-15CMs, 6" max), while also having my tank become a planted tank( currently in my 20Gal i have 4 Plants that are doing well, and i will transfer them to my 55), as to the plants i want, they would be the larger Sword plants as i have 1 Bulb that is turning into a Giant Sword plant within a couple days it seems)
 
Ph is a issue as i think i may have to buy some Rocks that Stabilize my Ph, and find a way to get my Gh(if any is needed) to the Correct stats before buying more fish to put into the tank.
 
I have put thought into what i want to have the tank like, and those 2(large) fish are what i would like. As to Make it a more Colorful tank with fish that are actually big enough to be seen without having to go searching through the tank like how it was for my Zebra Danios and Neon Tetras

 

[Byron]

My Gh usually maxes out at around 4-6. While my Ph maxes at 7.8. The lowest ive seen it go was for my neon tetras which was 7.3.
 
As for the species of RainbowFish i was considering the Banded Rainbow or the Lake Kutubu RainbowFish. And for the Gourmi i was going for the Pearl gourmis. And both of these will go into the 55Gal i had changed to rather than a 75 i had mistakenly bought off of Craigs list.
 
Moreover i think i want to get the fish that wont harass my corys, while also getting some that are big enough(As big as the Pearl Gourmis) but none bigger as to endanger the corys.
 
The Gourmis and Rainbow fish(big ones as to 10-15CMs, 6" max), while also having my tank become a planted tank( currently in my 20Gal i have 4 Plants that are doing well, and i will transfer them to my 55), as to the plants i want, they would be the larger Sword plants as i have 1 Bulb that is turning into a Giant Sword plant within a couple days it seems)
 
Ph is a issue as i think i may have to buy some Rocks that Stabilize my Ph, and find a way to get my Gh(if any is needed) to the Correct stats before buying more fish to put into the tank.
 
I have put thought into what i want to have the tank like, and those 2(large) fish are what i would like. As to Make it a more Colorful tank with fish that are actually big enough to be seen without having to go searching through the tank like how it was for my Zebra Danios and Neon Tetras

 
OK, we're getting some issues here.  First, many rainbowfish, including the two you mention, are largish (5-6 inches) and active swimmers.  The activity is not going to suit the gourami, as these are sedate fish that should not be housed with active fish.  A 55g is fine for either rainbow species (not both), or for the gourami, but not both (or all three).
 
As for the parameters, your GH is on the soft side, and this is fine for gourami.  But not the best for rainbows; some species are soft water, but the two mentioned here are not.
 
Either species of rainbow should be in a group of minimum six; I always prefer odd numbers (for no scientific reason usually, just aesthetics) so I would suggest seven.  The corys will not be an issue.  But this is probably it for this tank.  Baccus will likely have more detail, she has more rainbowfish experience than I do, but here is some useful data from SF:
http/www.seriouslyfish.com/species/melanotaenia-trifasciata/
http/www.seriouslyfish.com/species/melanotaenia-lacustris/
 
With the gourami, a group of three or five, with one male/two females, or two males/three females, would work.  Corys also no issue here.  Other upper level fish are advisable, but not active swimmers, so some of the rasbora work well.  There are some of the tetras that woould also be fine, gain the sedate species and no fin nippers.
 
Byron.

 

[BaylorPerez]

Which Species would be better for the spastic movements of the Cories. Gourmis or Rainbows? 

And i had seen the post say Characins? what are these fish?

And for other Fish to go along with the Rainbows(if i get them) what other fish would be good for them.(5-10Cms Preferably)
 
Same for the Pearl Gourmis, other gourmis?, or something else slightly smaller
7-10 Cms Preferably 

 

[BaylorPerez]

And as how my water is, Gourmis may be a better bet, but i do kinda want to get other fish that would make more of a Colorful Display with the Gourmis i will be getting. Would angelfish work or would a different type work along with gourmis

 

[Byron]

Which Species would be better for the spastic movements of the Cories. Gourmis or Rainbows? 

And i had seen the post say Characins? what are these fish?

And for other Fish to go along with the Rainbows(if i get them) what other fish would be good for them.(5-10Cms Preferably)
 
Same for the Pearl Gourmis, other gourmis?, or something else slightly smaller
7-10 Cms Preferably 

 
I don't know how "spastic" your cories are, but I have kept dozens of species for over 20 years and in my view they are not going to be trouble for anything here.
 
Characins are primarily South American, with a few species from Africa (these are rare in the hobby, except for the beautiful Congo Tetra), and include the tetras, hatchetfish, pencilfish, and some others like characidium, etc.  This is a highly diverse group of fish, and there are nasty fin nippers and predatory species, all the way to the most peaceful of fishes.
 
As I said earlier, with either of the Rainbows you might be near-capacity.  They are not small fish.  But the link I posted from SF offers some suggestions, though you must keep the tank size in mind.
 
If you decide on the Pearl Gourami, there are several rasbora species (the medium sized) and some tetras that could work well.

 

[BaylorPerez]

yea, im heading with the Gouramis(having 5, 2 males and 3 females. Then the mated Angelfish, plus my 6 Cories. Would i be able to fit any other fish into the tank that wont be fin-nippers

 

[Byron]

And as how my water is, Gourmis may be a better bet, but i do kinda want to get other fish that would make more of a Colorful Display with the Gourmis i will be getting. Would angelfish work or would a different type work along with gourmis

 
One "large" centrepiece fish is all that will work in a 55g with few exceptions.  Angelfish are another story altogether.  I never recommend angelfish (or cichlids) with gourami, as these two groups are too much alike as I mentioned earlier.  Smaller shoaling fish work very well with a "centrepiece" gourami, or a group of angelfish, avoiding the possible nippers and any fast swimmers.

 

[BaylorPerez]

So alike as they are sedate swimmers?