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I've been reading about bio-topes (that Mongobay site is great!) and am thinking of going with an Asian one. How would this setup be for a 29 gallon or could someone recommend one? Thanks.

2 Pearl Gouramis (male & female?)
2 Moonlight Gouramis (male & female?)
6 Harlequin Rasboras
6 Cherry Barbs
4 Loaches (maybe Skunk,YoYo or Hillstream?)

The four gouramis would be a no, they each can grow to ~6". A small gourami might be a better option.

Harlequins and cherries are fine. Personally I'd raise the number of harlequins since they school so well, and then have either one or two pairs of cherries.

Some people say skunk loaches can be nippy; I've never kept them. Yo-yos are great and will provide a lot of activity in the bottom of your tank. Just remember they like company so make sure to have at least three. I've read that hillstream loaches tend to like cooler water and a current in the tank, so you might want to reasearch into them a bit more before deciding.

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

may i suggest a pair of small mouthbrooding bettas (perhaps falx or simplex?) and some sparkling gouramies?

I should think the sparkling gouramies aren't closely related enough to beat the tripe oiut of the larger gouramies and vice versa, so maybe also a honey gourami, or a dwarf gourami?

I'm with theresa, those 4 gouramies you have listed are too big.

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

Aren't Sparkling Gouramis hard to find? If i just go with a pair of Cherries and omitted the Moonlights could i get another school of fish?

I should think the sparkling gouramies aren't closely related enough to beat the tripe oiut of the larger gouramies and vice versa, so maybe also a honey gourami, or a dwarf gourami?

In my Asian tank I have sparkling gouramis, honey gouramis, and a betta coccina. No problems between them, and I actually don't have any floating plants in that tank either.

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

Tiger barbs and Yo-yo's!!
Hours of entertainment.

9-11 tiger barbs, 3-4 yoyo's, 2 sae's

I know you didn't mention them in your original list, but that's my 2 cents