Stocking- Gourami/tetras

[Jennifer]

I am trying to draw up a stocking plan now that I have my 32 Gallon (long) tank set up and planted. I'm getting a little overwhelmed reading about all the fish and would appreciate some help....

I went to the pet store and made a list of the fish I like:
-powder blue/golden dwarf gouramis
-emerald/sunset gouramis
-cockatoo dwaf cichlids
-tetras (columbian, painted, jelly bean,etc)
-suckermouth fish (pleco)

These are the questions I'm lost over:
I know I have limited space in my tank, so what kind of combination would work best? How many fish need to be in a school (tetras)? How many gouramis have to be together? (Male/female?) I love plecos but I know the common one gets huge, is there a better smaller one? Do I need to have a bottomfeeder in my tank? Which fish would be the best to cycle with?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[UP UP AND GUPPY]

Try this:
2 Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid
7 Columbian Tetras
1 Bristlenose Pleco

Try it, I think it might be very kool.

 

[Jennifer]

Mmm. yes, that sounds interesting. I forgot about the bristlenose pleco, I could only remember the clown and the common and I didn't want those.

thanks.

 

[Seleya]

Columbian tetras can be aggressive spazzes, the 'painted' and 'jellybean' tetras are dyed -- the color will fade and they'll be much more prone to illness and bringing illness to your tank. Gouramies typically will not get along with conspecifics, so limit yourself to one gourami or a pair. The dwarf cichlids can be aggressive, especially if you get a pair. A bristlenose would probably be a good choice for you -- either that or a rubberlip.

 

[Jennifer]

I'm glad you pointed out that the jelly bean/painted tetras are dyed- I didn't know they were and I don't want to get dyed fish!

thanks