Opinions?

[KrystaK]

I want to add to my collection, and have a general idea of what I want but I'd like other opinions and pointers and such

I have a 30 gal (36x12x18)second hand tank with a hand-me-down heater, hood and light I bought a new filter and added a bubble wall to it and all. I have dark (Black with some orange) fine gravel. I have two Hornwart and two Moneywart plants in the tank. I'm planning on getting some Water Wisteria or a low growing moss of some type - thinking the moss though.
I have two Dalmatian mollies (1 male, 1 female) (Soon to be more hopefully ) and two platys (1 male, 1 female).

I was thinking of getting a school of Neon tetra's. 4 to 6, I know more is always better with Tetras
2 or 3 Panda corys. I would get more but I don't want to overcrowd the tank - and the last ones dies so I don't want so spend the money and get like 6....
I was also hoping to get a Gourami or two... but I dont have any experience with them so I want some advice - can I just get one or do they like company too?
Or Barbs - but again I have no experience with them

does anyone think this would be over stocking?

 

[creeker]

Not overstocking at all. I would up the Neons to 10. It will make them more visible in your size tank. For gourami I would go with Dwarf. Pick your color: Powder Blue, Flame, or Wild-type. I would get a pair, male and female, or a single male. Females can be hard to find in some markets. Your livebearers are going to produce fry, but they should get eaten so won't be a factor in the tank's population.

 

[the_lock_man]

I would strongly suggest upping the female livebearers to a ratio of at least 1m:2f, and preferably 1m:3f. The males will pester the females, and this will lead to a single female being stressed, potentially to death. With more females, the male won't pester any individual constantly. The flipside, though, is that there is more likelihood of fry surviving.

 

[Dieses Madchen]

I would strongly suggest upping the female livebearers to a ratio of at least 1m:2f, and preferably 1m:3f. The males will pester the females, and this will lead to a single female being stressed, potentially to death. With more females, the male won't pester any individual constantly. The flipside, though, is that there is more likelihood of fry surviving.

+1 The more females to males the better. I have 1 male to 5 females. This way he is forced to divide his attentions and no single female gets bullied.

 

[creeker]

Both valid points about the livebearers. What barbs are you considering? Some would be fine (like Cherry), others could be a nightmare (like Tiger.)

 

[Liquid skills]

I agree altho my male no matter how many females where in he would only got for one the rest dont even think about it lol my fish are weired lol

 

[KrystaK]

Yeah, I'm plannning on getting another Dalmatian Molly or two(Hazzah for thanks giving deals, they're .80 cents ) - maybe two, I don't know about a platy tho... the platy male I have now shows no interest in his girly, and they've been together a long time. It's either a Plutonic relationship or he's not into girls

I'm not sure on the number of Tetra's.... I want there to be a group of them but I dont want the tank to be too crowded u know, with to many lil blue n red guys swimming around... is 10 really a good number?... would 7 or 8 be ok do you suppose?

As for Barbs... do they like to school too? my local LFS has Cherry Barbs on for .80 cents....

And the LFS apparently has Opaline, Blue & Gold, Honey sunset and dwarf Gouramie in stock.

So basically it would my list is:
3(or 4) Dalmatian Mollies
2 Platys
8 (or 10) Tetras
4 Apple Snails OR X number of Cory's
2 Dwarf Gouramie OR X number of Barbs

still a bunch of Or's