Stocking

[GrayScale]

I'm setting up my 20g long tank this weekend.

I will be stocking it with live plants a some cherry shrimp at first. After awhile and once my lfs gets some in stock I will be adding 4 or 5 galaxy rasboras(celestial pearl danios).

I was wondering if there were any smaller gourami species that would work well with this setup.

Obviously they would need to be smaller since galaxys only get about an inch long.

Your input is greatly appreciated!

 

[BethK]

Dwarf Gouramis would be what you're after

 

[Harlequins]

Or sparkling gourami's (pygmy type) reach around 1.5 inches.

Will you be doing a fishless cycle with ammonia?

 

[GrayScale]

That's what I figured I just wasn't sure about their aggression levels. Didn't know if they would eat the cherry shrimp or chase the galaxys. I also read there shouldn't be too many because they are territorial. With the setup listed above would it be recommended to have like 3 gouramis.

Current stock idea would be:
6 galaxy rasboras
4 cherry shrimp(room for breeding)
3 dwarf gourami (1 male 2 female)

 

[GrayScale]

Or sparkling gourami's (pygmy type) reach around 1.5 inches.

Will you be doing a fishless cycle with ammonia?

Yes. I've had it running for about 5 weeks now. The bacteria has been soaking up the ammonia and nitrites in 10-12 hours. This weekend before I go to the LFS I'll be doing a 25% water change to knock out the nitrates and then I will be adding the plants and a few shrimp and slowly stock up on the fish over the next couple months. Just trying to get an idea of what will work best with the galaxys and shrimp to add a little more color and activity level to the tank.

 

[Wills]

Ah good news on the cycle But I would stock a fair bit to start with rather than slowly over a few months otherwise you will loose some of the bacteria colony youve spent ages growing.

With the dwarf gourami, I would be hesitant to have dwarfs with galaxy rasbora just because of how delicate the galaxies can be and how aggressive some male DGs are. I would be tempted to go with one of the more peaceful almost timid gourami like honey gourami - which would work the same as the DGs just more peaceful or you could go for thick lipped gouramis, the line bred orange or rusty strain is amazing one of the best coloured fish Ive ever seen. Have a google of orange thick lipped gourami Or as Harlequins said pygmy gourami would work really well too

So far as stocking goes I think you could easily accommodate more, I wouldnt hesitate to recommend a school of upto 18 galaxy rasbora + which ever set of gourami you go with (3 honey, 2 orange thick lip or 5 sparkling) and then a group of your shrimp, 4 would be fine but personally I would rather start with 8-10.

The reason Im saying higher numbers of shrimp and rasbora is due to their size and light bio load most galaxies make a little over an inch sometimes under. Shrimp create very very little waste in general as well so I wouldnt worry about how they multiply. At the end of the day though so long as you keep up with regular water changes I think it would be a stunning tank either way

Wills

 

[GrayScale]

Many thanks for the advice. I'll definately have a look at the honey gouramis and the thick lipped gouramis. I just love the coloration on gouramis and think they would be a great addition to the tank with more vibrant colors.


My main goal in the end is to have a second tank for breeding the galaxys in a smaller low tech tank with a sponge filter low lighting and some java moss. I'm not too worried about the shrimp breeding becuase its what i want them to do but i hear they are quite easy to breed and as long as you dont have any fish that will eat the young they should do fine in the main tank.

 

[Wills]

If the main aims are to breed the galaxy and shrimps I would really really consider going for a fish that has no reputation of being problematic like the dwarf gourami can be.

Wills

 

[nurglespuss]

or honeys

i epuld go with croaking or sparkling

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Congo Bushfish/ Climbing Perch, Ctenopoma congicum, are not Gouramis but they are from the same group of "labyrinth fish."
http/fishprofiles.com/profiles/freshwater/Labyrinth_Fish/Microctenopoma_congicum/

Unlike most Ctenopomas, they are not that predatory (with exception of young fry) and also they change colours! "VickiandKev" can get you some at a great price, depending on where you are relative to North London

 

[GrayScale]

I'm actually in the US. I'm going to my LFS (aquatic obsession) to check out what they have available today seeing as though they are only open on the weeknds now. I'll let you know what i find.

 

[arobinson1984]

Also, just to add, before you add your fish you need to be doing a large 90% water change, not a 25% as that will not lower the nitrates enough which will have built up during the fishless cycle


Andy

 

[GrayScale]

I've already done that water change Its been processing the ammonia and nitrites to 0 in 10-12 hours for the past week or so. I did the big water change and i've done a couple small changes this week just to keep them low and to get it ready for some fishies today.

 

[Twinklecaz]

Ah is it your fish day? Exciting! Remember to show us pics!


P.s Honey Gs actually rule