What to add??

Question
I have a 10 gallon tank I started a week ago with 2 platies and a blue gourami.
I am ready to add some more fish, but I am uncertain what else I can add to my
tank. I do not want to overstock. What other kinds of fish could go in my tank?
I would really like to get a dwarf gourami, but would he get along with the blue
gourami? Thanks!

Answer
Hi Lauren,

If by blue gourami you mean Trichogaster trichopterus:
http://tiko.web-log.nl/photos/uncategorized/gurami.jpg
Also known as the three-spot gourami, then you really can't add anything else - this fish will way outgrow your 10 gallon tank! It needs a 29 gallon tank at least. It also might get territorial.

Much better would be to trade in the blue gourami and get a dwarf gourami. I would recommend avoiding Colisa lalia (which is prone to the untreatable Dwarf Gourami Disease) and instead get the similar, but much hardier Colisa fasciata (the Banded Gourami) or Colisa labiosus (the Thick-Lipped Gourami). At least in my area, this last one is readily available. Go to Google.com and do an Image search using their scientific name to see what they look like and how they compare to Colisa lalia. A paradisefish is another alternative.

Another thing you can do is get more platys. They like being in groups, and will be happier in fours or fives instead of just a pair. In that case, you won't have room for much else. Maybe some shrimp or a mystery snail to keep the bottom clean.

10 gallon tanks are really limited because of their size, as you'll come to find out. They need strict maintenance - one overfeeding accident, one missed water change, is a big deal in a 10 gallon tank, whereas in say a 29 gallon tank, it wouldn't be. To be honest, they make better breeding tanks and hospital tanks than permanent tanks. Finally, retailers are catching on and have started making a 14 gallon starter kit, which would be about 40% easier to keep!

Here's a really good article you should take a look at:
http://badmanstropicalfish.com/articles/article63.html
Ten Gallon fish Tank Stocking Suggestions

I am really fond of the white cloud mountain minnows myself, but I also like Endler's livebearers, so those are my personal choices.

I hope that helps, take care!
Nicole