Which fish to buy.

[HappyTetra]

Btw what are harlies?

[plankton]

Harlequins.....

[Stephen]

Btw what are harlies?

Harlequin Rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorpha)

[HappyTetra]

Thanks. I have harlequines currently I was just confused when you said harlie. Lol I have baby brain! X

[Jon_D]

HappyTetra..."I am mindful that I don't want to be over stocked. "......... Regarding bottom dwellers, I was about to suggest CoryDoras of which I am particularly fond, but you need at least 5! as they are a social species. And you'd soon have a lot more as they like to breed inbetween eating. But they can be colourful.

[HappyTetra]

I did not know corys reproduced that fast. I was thinking I could have some corys but I am worried about the space in my 20 gallon tank and the gravel. I have included a picture of it if that helps (the gravel pieces are about 2/3mm in size). Would pygmy corys do better?

[plankton]

Have you rolled it between your thumb and finger?
It doesn't actually look as sharp as you made it sound, so they (corys) may be ok.

[HappyTetra]

I washed the gravel by hand in a seive before adding it to the tank and it did not seem sharp to me.
Assuming the corys are ok with the substrate, how many could I add to my tank without over stocking it?

If I had 6 corys with my existing 12 schooling fish (harlies and rummy nose) would I also be able to add one indivdual show piece fish?

or would it be better to add the 6 corys and an additional 6 schooling fish (eg neon tetras).

[plankton]

I'd have the corys and a small shoal myself, but then I'm not a man for centrepiece fish.