I haven't had a tropical tank for about 3 years - somehow the space was always needed for goldfish. I loved the tropical tank with all the live plants, and I have an empty 55 gl "sitting" around.

So, I figured why not? My usual Friday trip to the fish store in town was due anyway, and I walked through the tropicals section for quite some time. I decided on 2 flame gourami, and for now 4 platies (2 male, 2 female). The tank is somewhat decorated, however not with live plants (for now). Its cycled as well, so the fish are safe.
I want to fill up the tank with something more, and now I am wondering what to get. Is it recommended to have a higher female/male ratio with platies, or are 2 males/2 females okay? What other fish would go nicely with the gourami especially? I know they can be a bit nippy, and I always had good luck with the blue colored gourami. The flame just looked so beautiful, and I decided on those. Could I still get one more blue one, or are two plenty nippy wise?

I love colorful fish, so anything with lots of color would be great. I also want one specimen fish in there, and I have been eyeing the spotted Pictus catfish for years now, however never bought one out of fear that he doesn't leave my goldfish alone. Would a pictus fit into the setup? Any other fish that would go well colorwise? Guppies? Lyretail mollies?

Welcome back to tropicals ranchugirl

If you're going to have more than one gourami, provide a good amount of decor to break the tank up.

A pictus cat would be fine in your tank I would think. Remember, they can get to a good size, and mine grew really quick. Make sure your platties are a good size, I never had any trouble, but I've heard of pictus cats trying to fit plattys and mollys in their mouth. And leave enough room in the front of the tank for him to swim back and forth.

For some color, rainbow fish might be a nice choice. They come in some vibrant colors, but they do look kind of similar to grouamis. If you're looking for something smaller, I think a nice school of guppies or mollies would work in a heavily planted tank.

I have guppies *twitches*

http://www.timstropicals.com/Inventory/Liv...r/PlatyInfo.asp

According to everything I've read about platies they should always have at least 2 females for every male so he won't harrass her too much.

I don't know anything about gouramis but if you want color how about glofish zebra danios? The danios should be fast enough to get out of a nippy gourami's way.

[quote name='Kristi' date='Aug 18 2007, 12:15 AM' post='688642']
http://www.timstropicals.com/Inventory/Liv...r/PlatyInfo.asp

According to everything I've read about platies they should always have at least 2 females for every male so he won't harrass her too much.

2-3 females for every male....or you could do what I do, and just keep all males.

Can't wait to see pics of your new setup Ranchugirl!! Congrats!

Bala...are rainbow fish peaceful, or aggressive? I have been eyeing them at my lfs....

I'll get a few more platy girls then, the Pictus, and see what else is there... And Friday it is off to Valdosta, found 2 independent fish stores in addition to the local Pets*mart, so I hope I find something nice. I could get the rest of the fish at my pet store here in town, but I haven't seen any other pet store for months now, which is rather depressing. In this small town, there is only one pet store. I hope with the building of the new mall we get a Pets*mart here as well.

Justin, I think the Pictus will be happy in my 55 gl - all the decor is rather alongside the back, so he has 4 ft of swimming space in the front. I also get some more silk plants, as well as terra cotta pots, that should do it. Does he need additional algae wafers, or is the munching on the tropical flakes enough for him?

Yes, its nice to have a tropicals tank again. I just have to watch how much I feed - I am used to putting a nice amount of food into the goldie tanks. Those tiny tropicals don't eat all that much...

Goldyfan, they can be moderately agressive to each other and are fast swimmers, so I wouldn't reccomend them for skiddish or slower moving fish. They're also a naturally schooling fish, so should be kept in groups of 4 to 6. Good water quality is important to these guys, as they lose color if their water isn't ideal And finally, they can get upwards of 4" to 6"; so if you're thinking about the 20 gallon in your sig, I might look for something else.

Andrea, sounds like a good setup for the pictus. Mine eats anything it can get its mouth on, its favorite actually seems to be the sinking pellets for some reason. They need protein in their diet, blood worms, shrimp, etc. In the wild they troll along the bottom looking for live food. Also leafy veggies or algae wafers are a good idea too. Their eyesight isn't as good as a platys is, so make sure some food gets down to him. Shouldn't be too much trouble tho, mines a little hog.

THanks, Justin! I got the Pictus today, and he is a fast little fellow. I am beginning to see why they grow so fast - he ate any leftover flakes on the bottom faster than I have seen any fish eat. Even my goldies are slower than the pictus!

If you are still looking for fish, I would suggest tetras. Cardinal tetras likd big schools, although they may be eaten by your pictus.....Congo tetras, on the other hand get up to a nice two inches or so and are very colorful and like schools too, although they do fine alone, I am told. Just a thought

Ooh, I like that idea Saiyori, a nice school of congo tetras. Very colorful, if you can find them. I haven't seen any around here for some time now.

Congrats on the new fish Andrea!! Now ya gotta try and take a picture of him for the tropical competition <shameless plug> Good luck with that though, they don't like to sit still for very long at all!

Thanks Justin for the info on the Rainbows! Alas, I don't have room for any, so I will settle for gazing at them whenever I go to the lfs. Maybe someday when I get that huge tank I want....

No kidding - they don't?? I tried that, but of course all I got was a nice blurr with just a blink of spots. I think I try taking pictures either right after I turn on the lights, or after a fat meal.

There aren't any congo tetras in our little town, but Valdosta's stores might have some. 3 independent stores sure sounds like a nice trip. I might however stay out of the reptile store - never know what else I might come home with...

Well, I have been to our local store today to see what the got. Nothing too impressive, but they had some beautiful red longtail tetras. Would that be something that would fit in here, or are those tetras not good with other fish?