Setting up my tank

Question
QUESTION: Hey there,

i have an old 30 gallon tank lying around in my basement and was thinking about starting it up. the tank will be running with a powerfilter, heater, an airpump with airstone, gravel and plastic plants. i was wondering if these fish would be compatible and if you could tell me if i will be putting to many fish in there.

10 rummy nose tetras
10 cardinal tetras
5 Guppies
5 Gold White Cloud minnows
maybe a peckoltia

thanks in advance

Adam
ANSWER: Hi,
I think that sounds like a good mix of fish. I would suggest perhaps a few less, but apart from that it looks good.
Perhaps 8 Cardinal Tetras
8 Rummy Nosed Tetras
5 Guppies
5 Minnows

I don't have much experience of Peckoltias, but I think one or two would be ok for your tank.

Other possibilities to look into for your tank would be:
Blue Rams, Bolivian Rams or Gold Rams, Blue, Honey or Dwarf Gouramis or Dwarf Corydoras (such as Panda, Bronze, Peppered, Albino). You will have to reduce the numbers of the fish already on your list, but these are possibilities.

If you see a fish you like but are not sure if it is suitable, just ask and I'll tell you all I know.

Best of luck,
Kathryn

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QUESTION: Hey,

thanks for the quick response. I'm a little worried now. i was reading up on the four fish i had named earlier and on one of the websites i was reading said that the white clouds will spawn every couple of weeks. is this true? and if it is will it be a problem or should a choose another type of fish?

thanks again

Adam
ANSWER: Hi,
If they are in perfect conditions, with exactly the right water quality and the exact correct temperature, they may spawn, but that isn't as common as, for example, livebearers, who spawn all the time, no matter what the water's like. Spawning means they are happy though, so is actually a good sign. If the fry (babies) actually hatch, they will probably be eaten by the Guppies. There are breeding devices used to keep fry safe from the mouths of other fish if you wish to raise the fry.

If you have any more questions, please ask.

Good luck,
Kathryn

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: sorry to bother you again but i decided to change my list again and wanted to get an "approval"

8 cardinal tetras
8 rummy-nose tetras
4-6 black phantom tetras
2 dwarf gouramis

is there to many fish here? also do gouramis need to be kept in groups and if so do they have to be the same breed? i was hoping to get a red one and a blue one.

thanks again

Adam

Answer
Hi,
That sounds good. I would go for 6 Black Phantom Tetras, they like to be in bigger groups.
In tanks under 10 Gallons, one male is recommended, but you could have 1 male and two females. The females however are not as colourful as the males sometimes. Two males would be territorial, and with a male and one female, the male may harass the female. It is best to have 2 females to each male to even out the harassment.
The different colours are still the same breed, so yes, you could have a blue and a red.

Sorry for the delay in replying, I have been terribly busy.
If you have any more questions or queries, please ask.

Best of luck,
Kathryn