Dwarf Gouramis

[Chri$]

Ok, so i'm trying to decide weather or not to add 1 male dwarf gourami to my new tank.
Are they reasonably hardy fish? or are they prone to illness and infections etc??
Thanks in advance
Chris

 

[sylvia]

What else is in your tank and how big is it?

Unfortunately, dwarf gouramies have become increasingly fragile over the years and are extremely susceptible to disease so, if you are looking for something hardy, they are not the way to go.

However, there are many other gourami species that could be added as alternatives - but I'd like to hear what size tank you have and what other fish you have before I suggest anything.

 

[Chri$]

Ok, well i currently have a 14 gallon with:
4 black neons
4 black widows
2 platys
1 molly
I am upgrading to a 20 gallon in a couple of weeks. I am moving all of my current fish into the new tank(havn't room for 2 lol).
I'm looking for a centerpiece fish really something a bit bigger maybe. I've had suggested Bolivian Rams and Gouramis, but after a week of extensive reading i'm confused about what to do lol.

 

[sylvia]

In your 14 gallon you don't have room for any more fish (but I assume you knew that already) so we must be talking about fish for the 20 gallon.

If you didn't have those black widows (because they have a tendency to nip), I'd have suggested getting a single male pearl gourami. However, as you do have those widows, perhaps consider a single male banded gourami (Colisa fasciata). These grow to 4" and are similar to dwarf gouramies in appearance but much hardier and (IMO) somewhat prettier as well.

Here are some pics: http/www.akwafoto.pl/konkurs/konkurs03/fotki141_150.htm (4th and 5th pic down - ignore the honey gourami just above the banded in the 5th pic )
http/www.igl-home.de/bilder/fasciata.jpg
http/membres.lycos.fr/aqua5/aquariophili...sa_fasciata.php
http/www.akvariumas.lt/zuvys/belontiidae...asciata_big.jpg (female below - males are brighter and have logner and more pointed dorsal and anal fins. Also, females are 'stockier', deeper-bodied and wider when viewed from above. Males will eventualy turn out larger than females but this, obviously, isn't a reliable way of sexing them as juveniles.).
I see you've used the term 'black widow' (as oppsoed to 'black skirt') so I expect you live in the UK - I've seen Colisa fasciata quite often here - even in places like pets at home. Be careful though - they are not always labelled correctly

Depending on exactly what type of molly you have, you may also have room for a couple of female bandeds. However, as the potential size of your average molly is impossible to predict, I'd leave that option out for the time being.

Croaking gouramies are another species you could keep - a trio would be ideal (1 male, 2 females). These may nto be quite the kind of fish you were after though.

Concerning bolivian rams - a pair would work but would be quite aggressive when breeding. German blue/gold rams are equaly suited to your setup and less aggressive but are somewhat less hardy and more likely to get picked on (when not breeding ).

You may want to look into obtaining a trio (1 male, 2 females) of american-flag fish (a killifish) as an alternative to both cichldis and gouramies: http/www.aqualandpetsplus.com/Oddbal1182.jpg
They are easy to breed compaired to gouramies but less aggressive towards nonconspecifics than bolivians. Males are especialy brightly colored whereas females are a bit duller and smaller in size.

 

[Chri$]

In your 14 gallon you don't have room for any more fish (but I assume you knew that already) so we must be talking about fish for the 20 gallon.

If you didn't have those black widows (because they have a tendency to nip), I'd have suggested getting a single male pearl gourami. However, as you do have those widows, perhaps consider a single male banded gourami (Colisa fasciata). These grow to 4" and are similar to dwarf gouramies in appearance but much hardier and (IMO) somewhat prettier as well.

Here are some pics: http/www.akwafoto.pl/konkurs/konkurs03/fotki141_150.htm (4th and 5th pic down - ignore the honey gourami just above the banded in the 5th pic )
http/www.igl-home.de/bilder/fasciata.jpg
http/membres.lycos.fr/aqua5/aquariophili...sa_fasciata.php
http/www.akvariumas.lt/zuvys/belontiidae...asciata_big.jpg (female below - males are brighter and have logner and more pointed dorsal and anal fins. Also, females are 'stockier', deeper-bodied and wider when viewed from above. Males will eventualy turn out larger than females but this, obviously, isn't a reliable way of sexing them as juveniles.).
I see you've used the term 'black widow' (as oppsoed to 'black skirt') so I expect you live in the UK - I've seen Colisa fasciata quite often here - even in places like pets at home. Be careful though - they are not always labelled correctly

Depending on exactly what type of molly you have, you may also have room for a couple of female bandeds. However, as the potential size of your average molly is impossible to predict, I'd leave that option out for the time being.

Croaking gouramies are another species you could keep - a trio would be ideal (1 male, 2 females). These may nto be quite the kind of fish you were after though.

Concerning bolivian rams - a pair would work but would be quite aggressive when breeding. German blue/gold rams are equaly suited to your setup and less aggressive but are somewhat less hardy and more likely to get picked on (when not breeding ).

You may want to look into obtaining a trio (1 male, 2 females) of american-flag fish (a killifish) as an alternative to both cichldis and gouramies: http/www.aqualandpetsplus.com/Oddbal1182.jpg
They are easy to breed compaired to gouramies but less aggressive towards nonconspecifics than bolivians. Males are especialy brightly colored whereas females are a bit duller and smaller in size.

Thank you for your detailed reply

Ok, for the killfish and the croaking gouramis, they aren't really what i was looking for, they don't appeal to me in the way other fish do

The banded gouramis - i like these but am unsure - i've read they like to be kept in pairs i.e a pair of 2 males - and can hide quite alot -not sure if this is true??? i wouldn't have enough room also for 2.

The bolivian rams - i really like these fish - would 1 male work??? which would then leave room for a couple more small fish.

I am looking really for 1 centerpiece fish, more than 2" adult size, will get along with the other tankmates and is generally quite an active tankmate (not hiding a lot).
I would also like some room for a 2 - 4 small fish i.e neon tetras or black neons.

I suppose my other option is another shoal of small fish i.e harlequin rasaboras but i'm not sure .

As regards to filtration i am overfiltering the new tank - 700lph, so that shouldn't be a issue.

Thanks for your help

 

[sylvia]

Yes, you could go for one male bolivian ram.

If you add any other 'small' fish, go with one of the tetra species you already have as they should realy be in a group of 6 or more anyway.

2 male banded gouramies might work if your tank has plenty of hiding places and they are not shy fish like you may have heard but they are not overly-active either.

 

[Chri$]

Are bolivian rams generally active tankmates? or do they hide a lot?? I think i may just go with 1 male ram and get 2 more black neons so i will have 6.

 

[sylvia]

Once settled, it should be quite active. You'd probably be given more detailed info. on their behaviour if you asked in the new world cichlids forum - but they are active fish.

edit: BTW, make shure you are getting a BOLIVIAN ram. German blue/gold rams, which are mroe fragile and somewhat mroe brightly colored, need, idealy, to be kept as pairs.

 

[Chri$]

Once settled, it should be quite active. You'd probably be given more detailed info. on their behaviour if you asked in the new world cichlids forum - but they are active fish.

edit: BTW, make shure you are getting a BOLIVIAN ram. German blue/gold rams, which are mroe fragile and somewhat mroe brightly colored, need, idealy, to be kept as pairs.

Excellent - i will ask in the new world cichlids forum as well. Don't worry i will make sure i get a Bolivian Ram

Thanks a lot for all your help Sylvia, greatly appreciated.