Fish compatibility questions?

I've got a well-planted 10 gallon tank that's currently home to 8 adult white clouds and a small swarm (~20) of their half-grown fry. There are also the usual army of pond snails, and 3 red cherry shrimp.

Lately, I've been thinking of moving/re-homing the white clouds and putting something else in the tank. I've been wanting some spike-tailed paradise fish (Pseudosphromenus dayi) and sparkling gouramis (Trichopsis pumila) for a while now. Would they work together in a planted 10 gallon? How many of each should I get? I was thinking 1-2 spike-tails and 3 sparklers. Will they bother the shrimp? What would be the ideal temperature for the tank?

2008-11-17T19:43:24Z

To clarify, I'd be moving the white clouds--they wouldn't be in the tank with the spike-tailed paradise fish and the sparkling gouramis. Also, I know about the "1 inch of fish per gallon" rule--and also when to disregard it, which is about 90% of the time.

2008-11-17T21:09:33Z

Thank you, Jordan! Yes, I intended to use a heater--I've got it in the basement right now since the white clouds don't need one.

I figured the RCS were at risk of becoming lunch, and I love the little guys too much to see them get eaten, so I'll move them too.

I've also got some extra willow moss and hornwort sitting around, so I may add some of that to the tank.

Jordan2008-11-17T20:56:57Z

Favorite Answer

Well, let me give you an answer you can actually use!

I think that these fish MIGHT be able to be put together if you follow a couple steps.

- Introduce 5 (yes, 5) sparklers
- Allow them to become established (wait a week)
- Then introduce 1 spike-tail.

This will make your spiketail less likely to break out at the gouramis... though I would still keep an eye out. What this does, is that it puts your gouramis in a position where they are at the top of the pecking order from the start, and your spiketail is at the bottom.

It also doesn't hurt to put more plants in! It is good to have a jungle for the fish to hide in ;).

I am worried about the shrimp though...gouramis and paradise fish commonly eat crustaceans in the wild, I wouldn't doubt it if they at least tried. I would move the cherrys with the white clouds.

I would suggest the temperature to be at a good 26 degrees Celsius (78F). This means you must get a heater (assuming you didn't have one for your white clouds).

I hope this helps!
Good Luck!

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Anonymous2008-11-18T03:35:25Z

The only issue I can think of is the gouramis trying to eat the paradise fish's tails. They are mouthy fish, but if there's enough coverage they should be ok. Your tank is pretty much at full capacity, 1 in of fish / 1 gal of water... so you *should* only have 10 inches of fish. I wouldnt suggest adding more than 1-2 fish.. actually, I wouldn't suggest adding any more fish at all, but it's your tank. The temp of the tank should be between 76-78 F.

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