Fish Suggestions For Nano Tank

Hi all,
I've had a pretty eventful weekend. My sickly platy has finally passed away and whilst this was a relief on one level, it ended up posing another dilemma. I had four platies in my tank, with the larger tuxedo platy constantly bullying two of the smaller platy, one being the now deceased platy. He seemed to get on with the other, no idea why! However, once the sickly platy passed away, the dominant tuxedo took to relentlessly pursuing the other platy. So much so that I ended up calling my LFS to see if they would take the aggressor back. They agreed and I dropped him off earlier this evening. Whilst I would not normally resort to giving away any pet, I was concerned that once he had most likely bullied that platy to death he would turn on his 'pal'. Anyway, I digress!

My question is, my 55l now only has 2 platies (I'm pretty sure they're variatus as they are considerably smaller than the bully I just got shot of) and 4 x-ray tetra. I would really like a honey gourami, and given my oversized mature filter this would put my stocking level at 42%.

I would also really like a shoal of small fish like CPDs, Emerald Dwarf Rasbora or another shoaling fish that can handle my alkaline water. The CC states I could get a dozen of these without getting close to overstocking. I also really like Pseudomugil species too, but given their larger size I would have to have a smaller shoal. Would these fish work with my current inhabitants or are there any other species that I've overlooked that would work well?

Thanks Richard. I've read that Xray Tetras' natural environment swings from soft alkaline water to hard alkaline water during the rainy reason, so they are very adaptable. That was one of the main reasons for me picking them as one of my first fish. I worry that the 40cm cube is a little small for most tetra, as I've read most like longer tanks (60cm+). Ember tetras would be fine, but I'm thinking Rummynoses would be out of the question for example.

My pH has levelled out at 7.6, which I believe is due to the bogwood and liquid carbon I add to the tank. However, having read many posts from you I am now considering ditching the liquid carbon. Do you have any pics of your tanks? I'd really like to see how they're getting along after reading so much about them.

Have you kept any Pseudomugil species?

So I went for a stroll at my local MA this morning and lo and behold I didn't come back empty handed. I was casually checking out the CPDs and Threadfin Rainbowfish when a shop assistant asked if I was looking for anything in particular. I asked if they had any Pseudomugil species in store and by chance they had 4 Pseudomugil Iriani (aka red neon rainbow fish) left in a tank full of Barbs and Redtail Black Sharks. They were marked at £3.50 each but the chap said I could have them for a tenner. As I've seen these marked at £5 each in another MA I went for it. He then spotted another in the next tank and threw that in too.

I have to say that these are some of the most beautiful and interesting fish I've ever seen. They have beautiful blue eyes (like Norman's Lampeyes) but a much more colourful body, with an iridescent blue shimmer along the top. Their behaviour is quite remarkable, with the males fanning their fins in a courtship display for the females.

I need to track down a few more to get a decent shoal together, doubt I'll be able to get them for £2 each though! I am absolutely blown away by the beauty of these fish.

Great - sound lovely.  My local MA has had some lovely miniature fish in the last few times I've been in, ones which I've never heard of and which aren't on their website - so it's always worth calling in to see what they have.