Can I Add A Pair Of Dwarf Gouramis ?

[Glod]

My 75 UK Gallon (approx 90 gallon US) tank is listed in my profile, but for ease of answering it currently has 2 Pearl Gouramis, 5 Danios, 6 Harlequin Rasorbas, 7 Cardinal Tetras, 9 Platies, 1 Bristlenose Plec. All of the fish are currently small but I don't plan on adding much more, maybe some Corydoras.

Would it be a bad idea to add a pair of Dwarf Gouramis with the Pearls being in there ?

The tank is moderately planted with plenty of hiding spaces, but I do realise it's only a 4ft tank and the Gouramis are mostly top level swimmers.

I'd like to add a pair or trio of Dwarfs, but if that's no good I'll leave it and go with the Corys.

 

[sylvia]

First of all, I wouldn't add a pair - add a trio.

Secondly, yes, go ahead, but at the same time add a couple more female pearls. That should distract your established pearls enough to allow the peaceful integration of the dwarfs.

Do be aware that dwarfs are rather fragile and easily stressed. As a precaution, re-arange the tank before adding the new fish so that the existing inhabitants are on 'equal standing' so to speak.

 

[rhysiboy]

shouldnt they be fine i mean i have 2 dwarf gouramis in a 14g and theyve done incredibly well never attaked anything and are perfectly healthy. Ive had them for a long time now

 

[Glod]

I wasn't really worried about the dwarfs doing anything bad... It was more a case of will the pearls harrass them since they're also top level fish.

If I can get a trio that is what I would add, however my local lfs only sells pairs or single males which might make it tricky. I guess it will end up coming down to how nice the dwarfs look next time I am in

 

[rhysiboy]

lol well they are nice fish but if oyu think they might get attacked then dont buy them as we dont ewant to send fish to their deaths do we really. buuuuut if your tank is planted well then you could get away i think just chek withg others first.

 

[confusion]

I don't know if I just got unlucky or what, but I tried adding a dwarf to my 55G community that has a pair of pearl gouramis (male and female) and they picked on him to no end. I ended up having to take the dwarf out and put him in a different tank with my angels. The pearls are normally a very very peaceful fish. They don't harrass any of the other tankmates, but the minute I put the dwarf in, the fight was on. Both the male and the female equally harrassed him.

 

[Glod]

Hmm, that's what I wondered. Don't want to add them if they're going to get picked on, even tho my pearls seem very docile, even my platies make them back off



Perhaps another female pearl will be the way to go. Thanks for sharing your experiences Confusion.

 

[sylvia]

A single pearl could be bullied when first introduced because she may be seen as an intruder on the established fish' territory. To solve this problem, firstly make shure the female is the same size or larger than the existing fish and also try re-aranging your tank before adding her and/or introducing some new hiding places, plants etc. If you can, try to add 2 females instead of just one - this'll devide any aggression and they'll soon settle in and everything'll be fine.