Betta With Gourami

[The Barb]

hi

i currently have a gourami community tank,and would love to add a male betta.

been doing a bit of research some say no way and others have had no probs. so here i am asking the experts

tank:
200 litres 101x41x51
2 snakeskin gourami
2 moonlight gourami
3 three spot gourami
3 polkadot loach

tank is very peacefull no squables or bullying

thanks

 

[Davo86]

Its not likely to work, the majority of male bettas don't take kindly to other anabantids and would probably harass your smaller gouramis, The three-spot gouramis may also turn on the betta as they can be highly territorial when they mature. (You may also find that the three-spots turn on each other when they mature)

 

[The Barb]

ok Davo thanks

 

[Bubblenester]

I've never actually tried a male betta with gouramis, but from everything I've heard they will mistake gouramis for bettas and attack them. Also, like Davo said, the three-spots would probably be too aggressive for the betta.

I keep female bettas with a pearl gourami and honey dwarf, no problems there. If it weren't for your three spots, I'd suggest a group of female bettas.

 

[Lindsey88]

I have tried a female betta with my dwarf gourami and it worked out but the betta killed my guppy male so I removed her to her own tank. Not sure how a male would do.

 

[stang1]

I wouldn't risk it as Gouramies and Bettas can both be aggressive and territorial. As they are all anabantoids and come to the surface for oxygen, they will all end up fighting over the same territory at some point.