bad or good idea?

[titus]

Have just bought a new Vision 180litre tank (not sure for certain what this is in gallons - prob about 40!)
We are just about to set up tomorrow, and begin a fishless cycle. However we are starting the fun part of considering what to put in! Most will be small community fish, and 1 pair of angels. HOWEVER we were also looking at dwarf gourami, and considering one pair as shown here:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=44123&hl=
(first picture)
And a pair of blue dwarfs.
However after researching here, I am wondering will the two males (even though they are different subspecies) fight, and whether a female of each species is enough? Sadly if more females are needed, then the stocking plan might go out of the window / Or should we stick to one subspecies only?
(this will be a planted tank of course).

Thank you for the advice

 

[GSD]

not 2 males,dunno about the rest

 

[sylvia]

I'm not entirely sure I understood correctly - are you thinking about getting 2 dwarf gourami males, 2 blue dwarf gourami males and one female dwarf and one female blue dwarf?

If this is the case, let me first say that the 'blue dwarfs' are actualy the same species as the dwarf - they are just a selectively bred color mutation. Both are colisa lalia.

Next I should say that actualy 2 males would be fine - even the 4 should be fine. BUT I wouldn't put only 2 females with 4 males. The males will constantly bully and chase the females.

Normaly, I suggest 10 gallons per male dwarf or 15-20 gallons per trio. It's usualy also best to keep 2 females per male to lessen aggression. In your case, I think you'd be best off just skipping the females and getting the 4 males. It would be better still if you went for a single male and 2 females or 2 males and 3-4 females.

The color of these fish realy doesn't matter (though females are always duller and grey-ish) so you could combine blues, powder blues, neons blues, flames, flame reds, the wild color - whatever - as long as you stick to the ratios and don't get more than 4 males or less females than males.

I'm also wandering whether you are set on dwarf gouramies. They are very attractive fish but there are other similar colisa species that don't seem to get the attention they deserve.

 

[titus]

Thank you for the advice thus far...I apologise for not making myself clear!

What I meant was one male and female of the dwarf striped variety, and one male and female of the dwarf blue type. Sorry for any confusion. But from what I understand you are saying that this combo would not work (with the sex ratio)?

Thanks - we are just trying to get it right before we get them!

 

[sylvia]

Oh I see!

If all you want is 2 pairs in a planted 40 gallon it should work. The females might get chased a bit but it shouldn't be too serious. It would still be best to have an extra 2 females but the two pairs should be ok as long as the females have places to retreat to if bullied.

 

[titus]

Thank you for the advice Sylvia - we are most grateful for it!