Can Gouramis Be Lonely?

[lisie]

I've pretty much fallen in love with banded gouramis... they are so cute and beautiful yet simple. I'd one for not keeping fish alone unless they prefer it that way, but I don't want to have to deal with gourami breeding behaviors (i.e. having to remove the female). Would a gourami be lonely if I just got one or are they happier in pairs? Would having two of the same sex make them happier or would that not make a difference (or would it make things worse)? Thanks.

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

Females are happy in pairs or more. And I believe males are ok in pairs too, so long as the tank is big enough and there are no females present. The only thing you really want to avoid is one male and one female, as the male will chase her constantly as an adult to try and make her spawn. This will tire and stress her. You can have one male and two females though.
Hugs,
P.

 

[lisie]

Thank you very much.

 

[boblus]

I have the same kind of problem. Would it matter if I got two males instead of a male and a female. same goes for having two females. Would it matter? Would the males fight?

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

It depends entirely on the breed of gourami and the tank in question. A heavily planted largeish tank can accomodate two males although I wouldn't recommend three spots as even then you can have serious issues with fighting. I had two sparkling gouramies that fought last year, not realising both were male at the time. Naturally they were seperated. In a circumstance where you have two three spot males the easiest way to stop aggression to have them in seperate tanks! Or have 4+ females to keep them preoccupied. That and loads of plants (Think overgrown ditch but with clean tropical water).
There are a few species that'll live happily as a pair of males with no females present but I don't keep any. Sylvia is probably one of the best to answer that for you.
Hugs,
P.

 

[noodles]

just to add, I had a single male honey gourami, and he was miserable! After introducing two lovely females for him (ok it was a stressful process, but thats off topic!) he was full of colour and prancing around as soon as he saw them and still is!

there is no way I would ever keep a single one!