A Few Quick Questions

JohnDyer · Feb 25, 2012

Can you have 2 male gouramis together? I've tried twice, but they usually end up swimming separately anyways. If not, where can you usually find females?
Can you have many male guppies together? I've tried this also, and they stick together and seem to be happy, but slowly die off until I have 1-2 left. If not, how many females should I get?
One of my fish has a few scratchs, no more than 2 mm. One's swelling just a little, but not bleeding. He's still swimming around fine, eating fine, and doesn't really seem bothered at all. Should I be worried? Will it heal on its own, or should I get some medicine?

fluttermoth · Feb 26, 2012

Male gouramis don't generally get on; you need one per tank, unless it's a huge tank! Females are usually in with the males, although I know some shops only stock male dwarf gouramis, as the females are almost colourless.

You can have groups of all male guppies; they may nip at each other a bit, but that's all. I'd suspect another problem; a lot of guppies nowadays do seem to be very difficult to keep. I wouldn't get female guppies; you'd be overrun with fry in no time.

Scratches normally heal up well with nothing but good, clean water, but you can get secondary infections, like fungus, set in, so watch out for that. You'd need to use a fungus med if that does happen.

JohnDyer · Feb 26, 2012

Sounds good, thanks!

One last question - I currently have 3 adult tiger barbs in my tank. I'm thinking about adding 3 more, but the stores around here only sell juveniles. Will the adults pick on them?