Can an opaline gourami mix wiht tiger barbs

[k2snowboards88]

I plan on having 8 tiger barbs and one gourami. Would they do ok together?

 

[sylvia]

I would advise against it. Though the opaline would probably not get 'ripped apart', its long ventrals (feelers) would almost certainly get picked off. They grow back but I'm sure you don't want your fish to have to suffer this ordeal over and over again...

 

[Gourami Lover88]

I have 2Golds and a paradise, and they never get botherd by the barbs. But different fish have different personalities, so if the barbs harrass the gourami move him.

 

[k2snowboards88]

hmm, hopefully someone knows from experience, but yeah, it probalby woudln't be a good idea. Paradise fish are alot more agressive than opaline gouramis. So it probably wouldn't be the same situation.

 

[sylvia]

It *is* from my experience that I suggested against it but GouramiLover88 has had different experiences with gold gouramies (same species as opalines), as well as paradise. Personaly, I still think it's a bad idea - even just to try it is risky and I wouldn't put a fish though that - try a different tankmate. If you have room for an opaline I'd think you could have a red tail black shark in there instead. The barbs wont bother them. Of course it depends on your other fish (if any)...

 

[k2snowboards88]

I've changed my mind anyway. Right now i have 4 tiger barbs, a red fin shark, and a peacock eel. I think i'm just going to get 4 more tiger barbs and 4or 5 clown loaches. \

Thanks for your help though. But i really wouldn't want to risk the fishes life.

 

[sylvia]

That's fine then - but do remember that clown loaches grow to 12 inches (if you don't have a large enough tank).

 

[k2snowboards88]

I know. The place i'd be getting them from sells them at 1.5 inches. I have a 55 gallon tank, so that should house them for several years. If they start to outgrow it, i'll buy them a new tank.

 

[sylvia]

Great excuse to buy a new tank

 

[digital_run]

Just my 0.02$...but i have a blue gourami with 8 tigers barbs...and ive never had a single problem or sign of aggression. When kept in the right numbers and with adequate swimming room tiger barbs will stay amongst themselves with llittle problem. Tigers get the reputation as being fin nippers..but this is only when kept improperly. Someone has to defend the tigers