Could a Paradise Fish and a Bristlenose Catfish live together in a 10 gal and other questions?

Question by Taronblade: Could a Paradise Fish and a Bristlenose Catfish live together in a 10 gal and other questions?
Basically, long term could it work and the fish be fine? I would love a why or why not. Also, if it’s a stupid question, I would like to apologize ahead of time, I know its an odd set up with a lot of potential problems. I’m relatively new to the hobby but want soemthign a little different. If it helps any I have a 20 gal biowheel filter and plan on doing thinds right with some fishless cycling for the first time (I’m learning at least). I want to upgrade my tank size, but a 10 gal is all I’ll probably have for a while. I have seen or heard of some odd tanks work out pretty good (like guppies in a saltwater tank and certain brackish fish living fine in freshwater). If you think it would be possible to make the 2 fish comfortable, what other potential problems could I expect to run into? I know there will likely be many, but I’m really hoping there might be ways to get around these. I’m really not expecting to get many yes’s, but I can only ask and see right?

As for other questions, what are some good reading books you would suggest for the hobby (I was already planning on getting the For Dummies take on fishkeeping) and what other good online guides and websites could I find out there that I may have missed (links much appreciated). Also, I already have a guide on fishless cycling, but any extra tips would be awesome!
@Stella, HEY AGAIN! I think I can pull it off. My biggest problem is figuring out the proper temperature. I know they can both survive at a variety of temps, but Plecos tend to be in heated tanks while Paradise are kept colder. I’m sure I can find a happy medium, but I’m having problems finding that medium. As for plants I already have a good idea what it would look like and I’m also thinking of adding bamboo and temple style decorations. But we’ll see.

Best answer:

Answer by Stella
you again eh?It sounds like a more exotic version of the betta cory combo, lots of people are successful with that. You’d have to make sure you have driftwood for the BN and a place for him to go if the paradise fish gets finicky with him.

Here’s a forum about a BN and a betta

http://www.fishlore.com/fishforum/pleco-plecostomus/21618-bristle-nose-pleco.html

http://www.fishlore.com/ is my favorite forum

you might want to check out http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/ too, they have lots of oddball fish.

If you get into plants at all (I vote you at least throw some java moss on your driftwood ) this site is my favorite http://www.plantedtank.net/

I’m not too big on fishkeeping books, you can find just about everything in them on the internet, and you don’t even have to pay for the info.

If you’re still thinking about crayfish too you should look at the mexican dwarf orange crayfish, they’re little bitty guys. http://www.shrimp-n-it.com/invertebrates/mexicanorange.shtml

I think i’d be hard to find real ones too look at though, they’re not very common

edit: they both do well between 60-80 paradise fish are kept on their own a lot and don’t really need heaters so people don’t buy them, a heater certainly wouldn’t hurt. I would check the temp of your tank while it’s cycling, if it stays in the low 70′s or so I don’t think I’d even bother with a heater if I were you

just remember to add some driftwood to your temple

http://www.aquariumlife.net/profiles/plecostamus/bristle-nose-pleco/100049.asp

http://www.aquariumlife.net/profiles/labyrinth-fish/paradise-gourami/100156.asp

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