Dwarf Gourami Compatibility

[kvnkne]

Hi there, I have a 75 gallon setup, fully cycled, with 2 blue gourami, 2 opaline gourami, 2 gold gourami, 4 bala sharks, 1 pink gourami, and a pesky tiger barb I could not get out of the tank. They have all been living together without incident fro 6 months. I want to add some more color to the tank. I was wanting to add 2 dwarf gourami to the mix. The existing fish dont have any issues other than the barb nipping like usual but without damage. I think that there is enough space for the dwarfs but I want to be sure. I know its prob hit or miss but there are only so many color options with this type of tank I guess. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Curiosity101]

How large would you estimate all of the current inhabitants are?

And what are your current tank stats?

 

[kvnkne]

Most gourami are about 2-2 1/2 inches about the same as the balas. Current levels are ph 7, ammon 0, nitrite 0 nitrate 10-20 ppm

 

[Curiosity101]

Thought they would all be quite small at the mo.

This will be the main reason you've seen no issues yet, cause most of the fish are still relatively you. Often the displays of agression we see (and that cause problems), come when the fish begin to get near maturity/breeding age. So it makes sense that you've had no issues so far.

Not saying you definitely will have problems, afterall you do have quite a large tank, but it is quite likely you'll end up with issues with that many gouramis... imparticular the kissing gourami (presuming you meant kissing gourami when you said pink?).

I'd definitely hold off with regards to more anabantoids, particularly small dwarf gouramis. Have you considered some large colourful shoaling fish instead?
Or some nice bottom dwellers such as mid sized cichlids or corys...?

 

[kvnkne]

The kissing gourami is actually 3 years old and is 3 inches in size and the most skittish in the tank. Scared of pretty much everything save for food. Ive been told by the LFS I could not keep cichlids and gourami together. What would you recommend?

 

[Curiosity101]

Perhaps it isn't a kissing gourami then...? Cause I would expect a 3 year old kissing gourami to be at least nearing full size (12")...

And it sounds like your LFS (or at the very least the person you asked), isn't particularly knowledgable.

You can't make a sweeping statement like that about many fish tbh. And especially not gouramis and cichlids. Many get on fine, for the most part they inhabit different areas of the tank and so completely ignore each other.

Also, just a note, but bala sharks actually grow quite large (12"+) and as they're pretty active shoaling fish they require a 6ft+ tank as they grow. I know you said 75gal, which is a really decent sized tank, but it's not really practical for balas for their whole life.

 

[kvnkne]

Yeah Ive been looking for something larger than 150 gallons for the balas. I got this 75 with a 35 gallon wet/dry filter for 100 dollars online so... What would be a good choice for cichlids that would go well with these gourami.

 

[Curiosity101]

I'd rather know what the 'pink gourami' is before suggesting anymore tankmates...

But tbh most mid sized Cental and South American cichlids should work well. Some of the larger apistos would be nice like the Agassiz. Also... Dwarf flag cichlids and thomasi cichlids could work. Basically anything that sticks to the lower levels of the tank and is relatively peacful should be fine.

 

[kvnkne]

My link this is a link to a video of the tank so you can look at the pink gourami

 

[BethK]

Pink Gourami is a kissing gourami

 

[Curiosity101]

My link this is a link to a video of the tank so you can look at the pink gourami

Well yeah it definitely is a kissing gourami. Just seems odd that it'd only be 3" after 3 years. It does look alot bigger in the video though..?

As for other tank mates, definitely try posting in the New World Cichlids part of the forum.

See if they can come up with some good ideas with regards to suitable cichlid tank mates.