stocking/compatability

Question
hi.  within the next few months i will be purchasing a 75 gallon tank.  i need help with stocking/compatability.  there are so many options!!  i need some advice.  i'd like to get: a kissing gourami, pleco, angelfish, cories, and neon tetras.  what else would go good with these species?  i'm thinking the neon tetras aren't a great idea b/c i know the gourami gets big and the tetras will probably become food.  i appreciate your recommendations.  thanks!

Answer
Hi Carrie,
Getting a new tank is always so exciting! And such a big one too! That will be fun.

The potential for the neons getting eaten by the angels or gouramis is debatable. If the fish grow up together the chance of this occurring is usually pretty slim as the fish would be accustomed to each-other obviously.

I think your current stocking scheme of a community tank should work out well. There are many other species you can consider. Perhaps add another schooling fish like another species of tetra-
*Black neons (would be a nice contrast to the regular neons)
*Glowlight tetras
*Lemon Tetras
*Black phantom tetras (a very nice fish when healthy)
*Serpae Tetras
*Pristella Tetras
And more

As well as the unique Hatchetfish such as the "Marbled hatchetfish" that is a relative of the tetras and has a very odd body shape and almost always stays near the top of the aquarium.

Harlequin rasboras provide a nice contrast to glittering tetras. And many of the barb species would also be suitable as they are very colorful in most cases. Rosy, gold, glass, and cherry barbs are all good choices.

Then there are the brilliantly colored and active livebearing fish -- swordtails and platies that you might want to consider.


Hopefully this will give you some options that will help!
Best of luck!
Karen~

Also check into these books-

(The 101 Best Tropical Fishes by  Kathleen Wood)

And-

(The Simple guide to freshwater aquariums by  David E. Boruchowitz)
*There is a very recent updated version of this book as well.

Both books provide loads of helpful good info and they have page after page of suggestions on how many and what species to stock your tank with including "themes" and interesting fish combination's.