My three stocking plans

[craggy]

I've got a 55 gallon tank and I'm torn between three stocking options. Option one is a school of 15 Neon Tetras, 10 Corydoras, and a pair of German Blue Rams. Option two is 10 Cherry Barbs, 8 Kuhli Loaches, and a single Angelfish. Option three is a community with 6 Pearl Gouramis, 12 Harlequin Rasboras, and 5 Amano Shrimp. Which would you pick and why?

[novelist]

Option one sounds solid. Neon Tetras and Corydoras are hardy, and German Blue Rams add color without being too aggressive. Just make sure your water is soft and slightly acidic for the Rams. What's your substrate like? Sand would be ideal for the Corydoras.

[florinda]

I'd go with option two, but kinda sketchy about the Angelfish. They can get territorial, especially in a 55. Cherry Barbs are chill though, and Kuhlis are fun to watch. You got a lot of hiding spots?

[waves_4]

Option one sounds solid. Neon Tetras and Corydoras are hardy, and German Blue Rams add color without being too aggressive. Just make sure your water is soft and slightly acidic for the Rams. What's your substrate like? Sand would be ideal for the Corydoras.

I agree with the substrate point. Also, Rams can be picky eaters, so you might need to mix frozen and dry food. What's your feeding plan?

[rockyfox]

Option three is my vote. Pearl Gouramis are underrated, and Harlequins are bulletproof. Amanos are great for cleanup, but they might outcompete the shrimp if you're not careful with feeding. How often do you do water changes?

[lunikar]

All three options have merit, but the Angelfish in option two could cause issues long-term. They grow larger than people expect. What's your filtration setup? A canister would handle the bioload better.

[fluxia]

I'm leaning toward option one, but gonna throw a curveball. Ever thought about swapping the Rams for Apistogrammas? They're smaller and less fussy about water params. Just a thought.

[Keldor]

Option three is the most balanced. Pearl Gouramis are peaceful, and Harlequins school nicely. Amanos are a bonus. What's your lighting situation? Low to moderate should work fine for this setup.

[Robin]

Option two sounds fun, but yeah, the Angelfish might be a wild card. Cherry Barbs are easy though, and Kuhlis are quirky. You got a tight lid? Those loaches are escape artists.

[craggy]

Thanks for the input, everyone. I've got sand substrate and a Fluval 307 canister filter. Water changes are weekly, about 25%. I'll probably go with option one and keep an eye on the Rams' diet.