Dwarf Gourami & Betta Splendon compatiblity?

[xanthianacid]

In my 8 gallon tank I have the following inhabitants:
1 Male Dwarf Gourami (blue and orange striping)
1 Female Emerald Betta Splendon
1 Teeny Tiny Baby Angel (who will be moved when 2 big of course)
5 3 week old Fry Guppies
1 BN Catfish.

I introduced my female Betta to a male Betta, she made it very clear she wasn't ready for breeding by showing the horizontal stripes, but she made great fuss over protecting my Dwarf Gourami whom the Purple Maurader was chasing.
So naturally he was removed into another tank. All harmony returned to the tank. Now it seems the Betta and Gourami have 'paired up', and are often seen together, rubbing each other up in the tank. They are totally incompatible aren't they? Is it normal behaviour for such a strong bond to develop cross species like this?

What do you think? The only others I have known to come close in closeness is in my hubbies tank with a three spot Gourami and his blue Gourami friend. We think are male and female.

 

[JacopoFishy]

my gourami and betta got along nicely when they were in my tank together.
the betta was quite old and laid back, however.
so yea, I'm not sure, but mine never fought.
(my gourami was a moonlight)

 

[Ferris]

Betta's and Gourami's are not supposed to be good together although i've never had a problem. I've kept male and female betta's with dwarf and full grown Gourami's and they completely ignored each other, no interest whatsoever. I like the idea of your female betta and dwarf gourami being pals though, that is unusual.

 

[xanthianacid]

Actually, as far as gourami's go we've been very lucky, so were told. Our two first ones paired up (in the big tank) a blue and a 3 spot, and get along very very good. I think all choc gourami's are sociable to each other, so our five are very happy in my 4 yo's tank. And now after I was contemplating getting a female dwarf, Emerald (my Betta girlie) is so friendly with the Dwarf, I think it's hardly worth it as it was only for companionship anyway. I guess, in my experience, we get great tempered gourami's, which is a rarity. But me happy, they are all sweethearts.

 

[xanthianacid]

I thought I might add that they are building a bubble nest together. Odd. very Odd.

 

[50000_tears]

wow! Gourami and betta..well they are both anabids ......it might work

 

[JacopoFishy]

I thought I might add that they are building a bubble nest together. Odd. very Odd.

whoa, cool! how's it coming along? hehe
take pictures?

 

[xanthianacid]

I'll take some pictures tonight. They've got a cute little bubblenest happening, attached to a piece of driftwood that is lodged up above the water line. It's so cute!

 

[Ben]

wow, i never thought i would see the day....a gourami x Betta hybrid...

interesting,
keep us updated

DD

 

[xanthianacid]

I'm having the time of my life trying to get pics of them and having everything work out. This pic probably looks like a butterfly painting, but it shows my Betta girly next to the dwarf while she is blowing a bubble on the surface.

I'm afraid their little nest was destroyed by food delivered in the top of my tank and a mad rush on behalf of the fish to feed, it wasn't huge, about 4 cm long and just a line or two... If they get a decent one happening I'll post pics of it.

Cheers, Xan

 

[Gill]

If They have Paired up.
Beware, The Gourami will not be able to "wrap" the Female, Frustration may get the better of him, a Fight could Break out.

But All the Best if they o manage to Couple.

 

[Undawada]

now I've heard it all...

I wonder if they can produce viable young... I somehow doubt it... It is a cute love story though...