Dwarf Gourami’s

[Joshy]

I just wanted to know what they are like in general?
Are they shy and hide given the opportunity? Or do they come to the front and show themselves?

Just thinking about having them as a nice centre piece fish.

Thanks

 

[Sunny_Bee]

I've kept them in community tanks with varying results. Sometimes they do swim around quite a bit and show themselves, but others are quite shy. I've also found them less hardy than other fish, I never got one to last longer than 6 months...but that may have just been hard luck.

What size tank do you have and what's in it? It's not a good idea to keep more than one together unless you have a large, heavily planted tank. They really like plants that rest or reach the surface. The best results I had keeping one was when I got him a female. The females aren't nearly as pretty, but the pair can be quite active.

 

[ALW]

My Dwarf Gourami is always out swimming around the tank showing his colours off.

 

[jimmyringo]

I have 2.They both have a side of the tank each for their quiet times,but they do swim "front and centre" regularly.I couldn't ask for more from Butch & Sundance

 

[Biulu]

In general these fish are not shy and can even dominate the tank. The problem seems to be that in Europe dwarfs are prone to disease since breeders in Singapore have weakened them through inbreeding.

I have personally not had many problems with that (only in one ocasion but that was due to hierarchy stress) but many people on the forum have complained about deadly sicknesses, especially ulcers.

As a centre piece fish in a community tank I think they are great as they only get agressive with their own kind (over territory) and are tranquil with other fish.