Peaceful Community Tank Qs

[NCStateFisher]

Hey guys, need to pick your brains a bit.

I've always kept either natives or somewhat aggressive species, but i'm now converting a 10 gallon into a peaceful community for my girlfriend. I currently have 2 emerald cories, a lyretail molly, a powder blue dwarf gourami, and a rubberlip pleco (will be moved, currently only like 1-1.5") I have a couple questions regarding mollies, dwarf gouramis, and swordtails.

1) Are dwarf gourami's similar to normal gouramis in that they will not usually tolerate another tankmate of their species? because I know my opaline is good with most other fish but actually killed a blue gourami after a couple months and then was attacked by a gold gourami i tried to put in later on.

2) Should mollies be kept in groups? I'd really like to add 1 more lyretail.

3) With my current stock would a trio of swordtails be acceptable to add to my stock?

Thanks guys, I have virtually no experience with this type of fish. The tank is fully cycled and has been running since july.

 

[David K. Bradley]

Hey guys, need to pick your brains a bit.

I've always kept either natives or somewhat aggressive species, but i'm now converting a 10 gallon into a peaceful community for my girlfriend. I currently have 2 emerald cories, a lyretail molly, a powder blue dwarf gourami, and a rubberlip pleco (will be moved, currently only like 1-1.5") I have a couple questions regarding mollies, dwarf gouramis, and swordtails.

1) Are dwarf gourami's similar to normal gouramis in that they will not usually tolerate another tankmate of their species? because I know my opaline is good with most other fish but actually killed a blue gourami after a couple months and then was attacked by a gold gourami i tried to put in later on.

2) Should mollies be kept in groups? I'd really like to add 1 more lyretail.

3) With my current stock would a trio of swordtails be acceptable to add to my stock?

Thanks guys, I have virtually no experience with this type of fish. The tank is fully cycled and has been running since july.

1) My experience with dwarf gouramis has been similar to yours. I would suggest getting another dwarf gourami, a female perhaps. Gouramis are territorial and with a tank that small, it may be hard to have more than just one, in a 10 gallon tank.

2) It's a good idea to keep mollies in groups if you want to increase your population of them. Maybe one male to at least 3 females. Unlike other species of fish, several males will look good together in a small group, say maybe 4 to 6. They will not be hostile towards each other and your chances of over population will be next to zero, unless of course you have a female in with the group you plan on keeping. Just as a reminder, try and stick to the 1 inch of fish per gallon rule.

3) Swordtails and Mollies come from the same family, known as Poecilidae. They have a tendency to cross breed with each other, so again, if you do not want to increase your fish population, I would NOT introduce females to the group of Mollies or Swordtails. I'd keep to males if at all possible. But my experience with the Poecilidae is that they are somewhat difficult to percieve the difference between the males from the females.


One suggestion on your Emerald Corydoras. Corydoras, need to be kept in a school to be effective and happy. Most are kept in a school of no less than 6 to 8 as they are a gregarious fish. They need each other to be happy and effective as bottom feeders. With this in mind, I would suggest perhaps acquiring a few more.

I hope this helps with your questions and I wish you the best of luck with you intended selection of Poecilidae.

edit: Subscribed.

 

[AQUAMONSTER]

if i were you i would find a 20 gallon as you be able to do alot more with it

 

[NCStateFisher]

Thanks for the advice that's kinda what i figured, i have a 20 gallon at home in charlotte that i plan on moving up to raleigh at some point, i've been considering adding a few more cories even tho the ones i have seem to be very content and 'play' together quite a bit - i think i might go with 2-3 more lyretails and a few cories and leave it at that until i upgrade to the 20, then maybe throw in a few swordtails

 

[David K. Bradley]

Capital idea! Keep us posted.