Stocking a 20 gallon long with Honey Gourami and Black phantom tetras. Any advice

[Nebula]

20 gallon Long tank is plant cycled growing good and processing ammonia well I was gonna stock it with the tetras first but I am not sure how many to add at a time. the tank is well planted with a couple more coming before the tetras. Also a black phantom tetras somewhat forgiving or are they gonna nasty pieces of work. I have hear from most sites they are nice but some people who claim to keep them say they give barbs a run for their money so I am super confused. 

 

[Fish Folk]

I have always admired Black Phantom Tetras, but have never kept them before. Their reputation, as you say, varies depending on who you ask. They do get a bit larger than many of the torpedo-shaped tetras. If I’m being honest, I’m wondering out loud if they’re a better fit for a 55 gallon…

Gouramis are what I would describe as “intelligent fish.” Honey Gouramis, for the most part, are peaceful community fish. I like to keep smaller tetras with them. I’m on the fence with the Black Phantoms.

I wonder if Electric Blue Rams would work out better?

Or Orange-flash Apistogramma Cacatouides?

Dwarf Cichlids might set a nippy tetra in its place more authoritatively than a honey gourami.

On the other hand, if you’re in love with the Honey Gourami, maybe rethink your tetras / schooling fish.

What about a school of long-finned White Cloud Mountain Minnows?

They are beautiful and very peaceful.

[Nebula]

On 4/16/2022 at 10:35 PM, Fish Folk said:

I have always admired Black Phantom Tetras, but have never kept them before. Their reputation, as you say, varies depending on who you ask. They do get a bit larger than many of the torpedo-shaped tetras. If I’m being honest, I’m wondering out loud if they’re a better fit for a 55 gallon…

Gouramis are what I would describe as “intelligent fish.” Honey Gouramis, for the most part, are peaceful community fish. I like to keep smaller tetras with them. I’m on the fence with the Black Phantoms.

I wonder if Electric Blue Rams would work out better?

Or Orange-flash Apistogramma Cacatouides?

Dwarf Cichlids might set a nippy tetra in its place more authoritatively than a honey gourami.

On the other hand, if you’re in love with the Honey Gourami, maybe rethink your tetras / schooling fish.

What about a school of long-finned White Cloud Mountain Minnows?

They are beautiful and very peaceful.

I have heard little information on rams though I am a beginner I am worried they require some good care that I may be unable to provide easily. Though the minnows are interesting I would like a small shoaling fish as I like keeping fish with groups. 

[Fish Folk]

Your original plan might work out just fine. It’s kind of a coin toss. A female powder blue Gourami might fit the bill. 

[Nebula]

On 4/16/2022 at 11:25 PM, Fish Folk said:

Your original plan might work out just fine. It’s kind of a coin toss. A female powder blue Gourami might fit the bill. 

Would you say rams require a good attention to detail care or are they pretty stable once you get the basic water parameters setup

[Patrick_G]

There are a bunch of other  other Tetras and Rasboras with that type of body shape if that’s what you’re looking for.
Another option would be nano fish. For a tank that size they would work well. You would have room to keep a few different species of tetras plus the  gourami and some corydoras too. 
Green neon tetras, Ember tetras and Chili Rasboras are some of my favorites. 

[Nebula]

On 4/17/2022 at 8:39 AM, Patrick_G said:

There are a bunch of other  other Tetras and Rasboras with that type of body shape if that’s what you’re looking for.
Another option would be nano fish. For a tank that size they would work well. You would have room to keep a few different species of tetras plus the  gourami and some corydoras too. 
Green neon tetras, Ember tetras and Chili Rasboras are some of my favorites. 

Yeah that’s basically what I wanted out of the tank but there just so many choices of small fish that all look so cool it’s really hard to decide so I’m just trying to base it off of who would live well with some gouramis. I was thinking either false Julii or panda Cory fish to be my bottom feeders. But again I don’t wanna overstock the tank. Decisions decisions I haven’t heard of chili rasboras I will look into those. They sound very interesting. 

[Fish Folk]

On 4/17/2022 at 11:38 AM, Nebula said:

Would you say rams require a good attention to detail care or are they pretty stable once you get the basic water parameters setup

Rams like temperature above 80°-F. Otherwise, change 20% water bi-weekly, do not overfeed, and they’re pretty easy as long as you get healthy ones to begin with.

[Patrick_G]

@Nebula, Panda corydoras are my favorite, but all species of cory are fun. I wouldn’t consider a tank without them! 

[Nebula]

@Patrick_G yeah at first I didn’t think much of them but their behavior is just so cool to watch especially with a school of them in the tank. Also looking into those chili rasboras they sound awesome and a big schooling fish I’ll definitely have them in the tank. 

[Patrick_G]

@Fish Folk, I’m know a pair of rams would work great in 20 long. Would you also add some high temperature friendly dithers or just do the pair of rams? 

[Fish Folk]

On 4/17/2022 at 12:02 PM, Patrick_G said:

@Fish Folk, I’m know a pair of rams would work great in 20 long. Would you also add some high temperature friendly dithers or just do the pair of rams? 

I’d definitely add some high temp tetras.

Bloodfin Tetras are attractive, and school marvelously…

[Ken Burke]

On 4/17/2022 at 10:55 AM, Patrick_G said:

@Nebula, Panda corydoras are my favorite, but all species of cory are fun. I wouldn’t consider a tank without them! 

Exactly!  Easy to keep, fun to watch, readily breedable. Pandas are shoaling fish, and are not overly shy.  

[Ken Burke]

On 4/17/2022 at 11:11 AM, Fish Folk said:

I’d definitely add some high temp tetras.

Bloodfin Tetras are attractive, and school marvelously…

I need to put bloodfin tetras on the list of fish I NEED to keep someday.  B E A Utiful