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Hello, I have a 72 gallon tank that currently has 2 weather loaches, 2 male platys and 1 very large pleco....I want to add a few more fish but I don't know where to start. I was thinking of getting some bronze corys....I would like to have hardy fish as I am somewhat of a beginner. I also am not a fan of tetra's I have just had too many problems with them which is actually why my tank is as empty as it is right now......any thoughts would be great!! Thanks!

I'd add 2 more weather loaches. They like company and will be more interesting since they will come out during the day more the more you have.

Bronze cories would be fine. Again they prefer a group and in that size tank you could probably do a full school of 6. At least get 4. If you look at other species the smaller cories are more social and do require 6 or even 8+ to be at their healthiest.

There are other schooling fish besides tetras. Rainbow fish are colorful and most are hardy so long as you avoid some of the smaller ones like threadfins. Just like the cories schooling means these fish prefer a group and the minimum is generally considered to be 6. In a tank that size you could do a school bosemani rainbows or the slightly smaller dwarf rainbows are also pretty common. I don't see any other rainbows too often but there are lots of colorful species.

If you want a couple large fish instead of schoolers there are various cichlid species that would work including angels. As well as the gouramis like snakeskin(10" ), moonlight(6" ), or 3 spot(5" ).

There aren't too many fish stores that I have found that carry weather loaches, but they are my favorite in my tank, so I will try to find some. Also the two of them must just be very comfortable in their home because they are out quite a bit during the day and the swim a pretty dance together a lot.

I would be worried that the angels would become agressive, but I am interested in snakeskin gouramis. Thanks for the help!!

Many LFS get their stock from suppliers. Try talking to the staff and seeing if they could order you some direct. It might push the price up a bit, but to fill out your school it would be worth it . I'd suggest phrasing your questions first just that you're interested in them and if they'd be getting some in 'any time soon' rather than 'get me these fish I'll pay whatever you want!'

You might want to look at some of the barbs. Rosy barbs are some of my favorite and they'd like the space in your tank. They were my first fish and are very forgiving . Gold barbs are also excellent and active. Tiger barbs are favorites among some keepers but are known for being rather nippy and I'd worry about them with the platys.

^_^

Hi there,
Snakeskin gouramis are a very nice choice. This is a large fish - 8 inches or more, and a typical gourami temperment. Keep in a male/female pair or 1 male to 2-3 females if you prefer. Avoid keeping 2 males together.

I agree - more weather loaches would be good. They are super social fish.
Bronze cories would be a good choice - they are hardy and long lived - go with a group of 6-8! The more the merrier with these fish...the more you have the more youll see their funny little antics.

Barbs, Rainbowfishes, are both good choices. Rainbowfish come in as many sizes and colors as the rainbow. Check out online Irian Red Rainbowfish, Turqouise Rainbowfish, and Boesmani for 3 of my faves. All larger robust fish, colorful, and easily kept in a mixed group of several of each type. Active colorful fish.

Barbs like Pentazona, Panda, Rosy, are all slightly more peaceful, larger barbs, with gpod colors.

Another option is look to dwarf to medium size south american cichlids for your tank- some that come to mind that would be suitable for your tank and compatible with snakeskin gouramis and your other fish : Bolivian Rams, Blue Rams, Keyhole Cichlids, Festivum Cichlids, Firemouth Cichlids, Apistogrammas of all varieties. All these fish are peaceful, with only moderate aggression during spawning, with the exception of firemouths,which are slightly more hostile. A single male would be an excellent addition, and colorful!


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1 angel would be fine in your tank as would 1 snakeskin gourami. Both are only agressive toward their own species or similar species unless spawning. If you only have one there will be no spawning and no other fish to fight with. Generally schooling or shoaling fish which includes probably everything mentioned in this thread except cichlids and gouramis are not considered a threat so they don't bother them unless they are guarding eggs. The problems come when you start mixing several fish like these together. Your best off picking only 1 type of cichlid or gourami and getting 1 of those. Possibly a pair if you decide on some of the smaller and more peaceful cichlids like rams. If you also add cories and a school of rainbows you'll be pretty well stocked anyway and the tank won't look so empty. 1 snakeskin or angel would finish it off nicely and stand out well.

The only major difference I'd consider when choosing a gourami or cichlid is that the cichlids tend to swim in the open more. Gouramis are beautiful to watch but prefer to stay on the edges of plants or decorated portions of the tank. In tanks with few decorations they will actually stay closer to the bottom than normal. Personally I still prefer the gouramis. I love watching them swim smoothly amongst the plants and partially like the fact they were never boldly sitting out in the open. Now my angel was always in the middle of the tank or begging at the front of the glass. He had no issue with being the center of attention and wanted to be right in the middle of everything.