Dwarf Gourami

[Tropical_Fish]

I've got 5 male guppies and want to add some dwarf gourami,

I deliberatley got 5 male guppies to prevent them breeding like crazy.

If I got a female gourami and a male gourami how likely are they to breed if left to their own devices. Will they be OK together and will they be OK with the guppies?

I'm not fussed if they do breed and I'm not fussed if they don't providing I don't end up quickly overrun with them.

Any advice?

 

[Curiosity101]

There's no way you would become 'over-run' with gourami fry. They are bubble nesters like betta fish and more than likely will not breed in the 'average' community set-up.

Then if they did breed the nest + fry probably wouldn't last long with guppys around.

My experience with dwarf gouramis is that they tend to be short lived and quite territorial.
So it's a bit hit and miss as to whether you can keep a male and female in your tank (presuming that it's the 70l?)
I had a male and female in a 60l and the male did nothing but chase the female from one side to the other. I re-homed her as soon as possible, but was informed she'd died soon after. Probably due to the stress she had indured from the male.

In my experience unless you have at least 80+ litres then you'd be best sticking to all female dwarves or honey gouramis.

 

[Tropical_Fish]

Thanks for the reply - yes it is the 70L

I guess from the comment about keeping all females that a pair of males isn't advised?

Will one Male on his own be lonely? - It's just the males look more interesting to look at.

Cheers

 

[Curiosity101]

A single male would be fine alone

And I'm not saying that you WILL have issues with a m/f pair (Though I'm 100% certain you'd have a problem with a m/m pair).
But I certainly wouldn't even try keeping a male and female in anything less that 80l

Have you considered the Colisa fasciata ?
It might be a bit big for 70l...I'm not sure. But it is a lovely coloured fish and is much much hardier than most dwarf gouramis.

 

[Tropical_Fish]

Looks a lovely fish but maybe a bit big. From what I've just read in 30 seconds it grows up to 10-12cm.

Thanks for the suggestion though!

I'm having real difficulty working out what to put in with my guppies! Everything I come across has a reason not to! Have you got any other ideas?

The other problem I have is that I don't like the way the LFS's are run around here and don't trust the fish from them - so I travel 1/2 an hour away to two shops which are a lot better, but then I get there and find they don't do the fish I've researched etc!!

I'm after something for the bottom and something for the middle.

People say my gravel isn't suitable for corys - some people have said it will be fine?!

Picture of my tank:

The gravel isn't as thick as it looks - I did a water change just before that photo so it had disturbed it all, when laid flat it's about 1 inch thick

 

[Curiosity101]

Oo it's a nice long tank then

And I'll have a think on suitable fishies.

By the way, not to state the obvious here. But why don't you just phone ahead to the fish shops before you go?
Also most good shops will order in for you if you want a specific fish...

Edit: To add the bit below about corys.
I had my cories on Mediterranean Blue Roman Gravel
For over a year before switching to sand.
Their barbels were fine as it is very small and smooth gravel.
However I wouldn't have them on anything bigger, and I REALLY noticed a dramatic difference in their behaviour on sand.
They'd snuffle around in sand, where as they'd only ever 'hoover' gravel.

 

[Tropical_Fish]

I'd say my gravel was bigger than that, but it is very smooth - I can't see how anything could hurt themselves on it.

That would be great if you could think of anything else.



The tank is a bit over 30" long x 12" deep x 12" high - so the height restricts me from discus and angels.

The newness of the tank restricts me from neons etc

Endlers were a no-no due to them not liking guppies

The gravel seems to restrict me from most bottom feeders!

I was thinking of putting a few platies in, but we went for the guppies due to the platies looking a little boring in comparison. Mollies are a possibility but I'm not convinced on them.

Other than that it's some variety of tetra which is hardier than a neon (so can go in now), which won't nip the guppies.


Any suggestions will be welcomed

 

[malakye]

Gravel can trap cory barbels damaging them, they are better on sand.
Endlers and guppys can live together the problem is endlers and guppys are related and will cross breed.

One of my favourite fish is the rainbow threadfin, have a look at them, they will not breed in your tank but are stunning.
A single Dwarf gourami male would be fine in your tank also.

 

[Ludwig Venter]

A view of my Blue Gourami tank...... (they're from one of my outside ponds, where I had more than 1 500 a while ago, and they were also breeding in this single species "community" pond...... These are a few I brought into the garage from this pond.....

I also bred Colliso Lalia (I think it was) the common blue fluorescent dwarf gourami, Pearls, and blue paradise in the same way.... It was only the blue paradise which really showed aggression and intollerance to community socializing.

I'll try find photos of my pond to edit in here as well....


EDIT: (TOP VIEW INTO THE POND)

 

[Sirron]

I have a pair of yellow honeys and a pair of red honeys in my community tank and they get along with everyone. I've never noticed the males harassing the females. And honeys don't get very big, maybe 2inches i think.

 

[keenonfish]

A view of my Blue Gourami tank...... (they're from one of my outside ponds, where I had more than 1 500 a while ago, and they were also breeding in this single species "community" pond...... These are a few I brought into the garage from this pond.....

I also bred Colliso Lalia (I think it was) the common blue fluorescent dwarf gourami, Pearls, and blue paradise in the same way.... It was only the blue paradise which really showed aggression and intollerance to community socializing.

I'll try find photos of my pond to edit in here as well....


EDIT: (TOP VIEW INTO THE POND)

Wow Ludwig that is amazing! I am going to assume male gourmis are okish in large groups but not suited to pairs or a few here and there..? I have two males (lfs advised would be ok in my 180 liter) and tbh I doubt I would get two males again. They are funny to watch though when one leaves it's nest the other will come along and steal material for it's own nest. Quite funny to watch as they sneak accross the tank being careful not to be spotted hehe. However they do get caught and come to blows occasionally!

@OP I wouldn't put a single female with a male and especially in that tank of yours too small, knowwhere for the female to hide. My local LFS describes gouramis as wife beaters and recomends seperating as soon as possible after succesful breeding. In fact non of my locals sell female dwarf gouramis anyway as they apparently can't sell them!

 

[reeeedfish]

Well, how about dwarf gouramis, or honey gouramis? A pair? They are both peacefull and pretty.