Blue Dwarf Gourami

[lym]

Hi,

I want to get a pair of Blue Dwarf Gourami's, a lot of websites I've looked on said they can be kept in pairs. But I have now been told that I can't because they won't get along. Can anyone give any advice?

Thanks!

 

[Biulu]

Hi,

I want to get a pair of Blue Dwarf Gourami's, a lot of websites I've looked on said they can be kept in pairs. But I have now been told that I can't because they won't get along. Can anyone give any advice?

Thanks!

Yeah, I know what you mean! I had the same information until I found this forum.....
It is being advised to keep them in trios (1 male, 2 female) to avoid that the male hassles the female too much. In this way he will divide his attention over 2 females.

 

[james41683]

Hi,

I want to get a pair of Blue Dwarf Gourami's, a lot of websites I've looked on said they can be kept in pairs. But I have now been told that I can't because they won't get along. Can anyone give any advice?

Thanks!

Yeah, I know what you mean! I had the same information until I found this forum.....
It is being advised to keep them in trios (1 male, 2 female) to avoid that the male hassles the female too much. In this way he will divide his attention over 2 females.

really i think it comes down to tank size and how much cover is in it. i had a pair of male dwarfs in a 60 gallon and one claimed each end with no problem between them.

 

[lym]

The tank I'm getting is 25 gallons, would that be too small? Would a one male and female work?

 

[sylvia]

There is a big difference between keeping two (territorial) males in a 60 gallon and a pair (1 male, 1 female) in a 60 gallon. Granted, even the pair would be alright because of the tank's size (provided it was relatively well planted) but in something small like a 25, you'll have trouble.

As a general guideline, never keep gouramies in pairs. There are a few species that do fine this way - the common ones do not belong on this list. Dwarf gouramies, in particular, are fragile and prone to disease brought on by stress. The female in a pair is going to get harassed, and therefore very stressed, constantly by any males in the vicinity.

I'd either go for a trio or stick to a single male.

 

[lym]

I've found out today that the shop I want to buy the pair from said that they sell in male and female pairs, they said most shops do this. Will these be ok in my 25 gallon?

 

[sylvia]

No they won't really be ok. Go to that shop and make a fuss. Tell them they absolutely have to sell you two females and that they are being completely irresponsible. Usually they have this system to ensure that the females get sold (otherwise people only buy males). It's stupid and it leads to deaths... If you aren't up for this or can't get them to change their minds, try buying them from a different LFS in your area. Or else buy two pairs and return the extra male the next day I've had this problem myself a few times - but after shouting at them for a while, they get the point and give in