Stocking My 115L

[benthyer]

I have been around a couple of my LFS today and think I have finally decided on what I want based upon the advice I have received, I just need a little bit of help finalizing the list.
 
2 Pearl Gourami's (Male and Female)
1 BN Pleco
6 Cory Catfish (Still undecided on what species) I am open to other suggestions for different small catfish
 
This where I am now stuck, I am in a toss up between Rasboras, Mollie or Platies, or even a mix of these if possible?
 
What do you guys and girls think?

 

[ncguppy830]

ive heard that trios of pearls are much better, but given your tank size being there minimum a pair would do. i wouldnt do a ix of those three, maybe a trio of plties to finish of the tank, you could do 2 f 1 m or 3 m. As for cories you might want to try a smaller species,im more saf than sorry so id say pygmy cories would be a great fit and due to there size you could add a couple more cories.

 

[benthyer]

I've read that pygmy corries could possibly end becoming the Gourami's lunch so not sure how it would work and I wanted to get two bottom feeders, one to clean through the substrate and the other more for the algae

 

[ncguppy830]

I've read that pygmy corries could possibly end becoming the Gourami's lunch so not sure how it would work and I wanted to get two bottom feeders, one to clean through the substrate and the other more for the algae

never heard of pygmy cories being eaten, given gourmis are top dwellers there should be no problems. Sadly no fish will clean your tank, at least in FW. Although theres a variety of snails including Nerites that will eat fallen fish food and algae.

 

[benthyer]

Well not necessarily clean it but very light maintenance work. I was originally only going to get one plec but got told today that I could mix plec and cory catfish. I just need some more idea's/suggestions for filling the middle part of the tank  

 

[ncguppy830]

well once again id reccomend a trio of platies, the gourmais actully will occupy both levels mid and top so consider that. you could do a school of tetras or rasboras but it would pretty much tighten the tank up and make it fully stocked.

 

[benthyer]

OK sounds good. Could I give up on the Corrie's and get a second plec? Also maybe not get platies and just have a school?

 

[Ninjouzata]

Wouldn't get two plecs, they are extremely messy.
 
Pygmy cories dont stay on the bottom as much as the others, they will go everywhere.
Have heard that habrosus, which is the biggest of the pygmys, sticks towards the bottom, at least moreso than the pygmy.
 
I'd get a single gourami rather than a pair, since they're supposed to be kept in trios or by themselves. I just think as a pair the female would get harassed too much. I could be wrong though.
 
I'd personally do a school of fish, but I'm just not sure what would fit into your gourami's mouth.

 

[wrightt3]

2 Plecos, 2 gourami and say 8 shoaling fish (rasboras perhaps?) would be a perfect setup. I'm not really sure where this idea that gouramis need trios came from TBH. I've kept them in pairs and seen others keep them in pairs with no ill effects.
Plecos are pretty messy but it shouldn't be a problem if you keep up with water changes.

 

[benthyer]

Ahh this is so difficult haha!!
 
I'm guessing a trio would absolutely not be feasible in my tank then? 
 
I will stick with one Plec as well. Could I not get Panda Cory's as they are quite small as well?
 
I need something colorful as my OH keeps saying she wants some colorful fish....although she apparently doesn't care about my fish tank haha. I guess the Harlequin Rasboras are quite good and a schooling fish, I wasn't too sure on them at first but they are starting to grow on me

 

2 Plecos, 2 gourami and say 8 shoaling fish (rasboras perhaps?) would be a perfect setup. I'm not really sure where this idea that gouramis need trios came from TBH. I've kept them in pairs and seen others keep them in pairs with no ill effects.
Plecos are pretty messy but it shouldn't be a problem if you keep up with water changes.

 

I was going to say that from all the research I have done I've not seen anything about keeping them in trios but didn't want to say anything as I'm the one who has never kept fish before haha

 

[Ninjouzata]

I have read that with just one female, the male is going to constantly be harassing her. If you have two females, then it is spread out. Stress can lower the immune system and so open them up to illness.
Also I -think- the male would be a little more aggressive with some girls around, and that would make me worry for my other fish. This is why I'm getting a single golden gourami for my 55g.
Of course it's up to you though, it's not like someone is going to come bash your door in and take the fish It could turn out to work fine, I just don't like to take chances.

 

[benthyer]

I understand where you are coming from Ninjouzata. Whenever I have read about them it just suggested making sure there was plenty of plants and hiding places. 
 
I'll have a think about it, I don't know what else to stock really. 

 

[wrightt3]

Ninjouzata may be right, all I'm saying is I have had successful setups with pairs in. The best you can do is give it a go and then rehome as necessary if there are problems.

 

[ncguppy830]

i agree pairs can be kept together perfectly, it depends.

 

[benthyer]

Well my whole journey through fish keeping is going to be an experience and based on trial and error. I have already given up the idea of having a Red Tail Black Shark (I love that fish!) so I think I will take a risk with a pair of Pearl's and like you said re-home one if it becomes necessary.
 
I am still toying with some idea's but I am pretty much set on the bulk of it.
 
The list is as follows:
 
2 Pearl Gourami's
1 Bristlenose Plec
8 Rasbora's
 
That is what I am going to definitely get, still considering some cories as well or if not cories maybe add a trio of platties?