Gourami Dilema

[Gilli]

Hi guys

I had a male dwarf honey gourami for approx 9 months in my tank. I was really fond of him as he was a little character but a few weeks ago he got dropsy and I had to euthanise him.

Heres my problem - I would love to get more as ive upgraded to a brand new 250L tank (which ive not set up yet), but on reading up on gouramis on the net it seems that everyone is of the opionion that 99% of them die as they are very prone to this through too much intensive breeding. I would hate to go through it again and lose one.

What are your opinions on this? Also how many could I house in this tank if I did decide to risk it again?

 

[Ludwig Venter]

This is a very, very grim view.... I've had numerous Gouramis, and most of them pegged of old age, (6 to 8 years).... I currently have about 1,200 Blue Gouramis, and have yet to see a case of dropsy.....

 

[Colin_T]

Ludwig, why do you have 1200 blue gouramis?

Gilli
dwarf gouramis have problems with Tuberculosis and an irido-virus. Both a lethal and kill every fish that's infected. It isn't caused by inbreeding but from contaminated breeding stock and ponds in Asia. If you can find locally bred fish then they should be free of these problems. However, virtually all gouramis come from Asia and they are normally infected upon arrival into your country.

 

[Ludwig Venter]

Ludwig, why do you have 1200 blue gouramis?

No deliberate breeding.... In the outside ponds,.... They just carry on & that is the size of about 1 brood.... No market (or takers) around here

 

[Gilli]

I dont think im going to take a chance with another then - its too upsetting . Pity I dont live near you Ludwig - i could have taken a few off your hands!

 

[Ludwig Venter]

I dont think im going to take a chance with another then - its too upsetting . Pity I dont live near you Ludwig - i could have taken a few off your hands!

There was this incident this afternoon, which actually deserves a topic of its' own... guy came around and said he has some goldfish to swap for a coupla Blue Gouramis.... See the photos below as to what he offeres for 10 adult Blue Gouramis....

This one just lays on the bottom & is completely "wasting away" as we know it.....

Lookit the bent features of this one due to neglect....

Some of the others (there were 7 in total) had open gills etc... showing mass neglect... Only after he left, I realised that I am now subjecting my Perfect Blue Gouramies to this treatment... I did leave (at least) full directions of how to care for them,... But some people??

 

[Inchworm]

Poor little fish....... At least they will have good care for the rest of their lives.


_____

To get back on track with Gilli's question, are we talking about Dwarf Gouramis (Colisa lalia) or Honey Gouramis (Colisa chuna)? I just won't buy any of the fancy colored Dwarfs or any other fish they won't sell females of. The natural Dwarf Gouramis are perfectly lovely little fish.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I suspect the Blue Gouramis Ludwig Venter is talking about are the big opalines or three spot gouramis (Trichogaster trichopterus.) These are something else again.

I know there have been a lot of problems involving the Dwarfs, but have the little honey gouramis and the standard gouramis been coming down sick too?

 

[Ludwig Venter]

It is indeed the Trichogaster Trichopterus that I have (one year old) Inchworm,... but since you mention it, I do recall an incident with Dropsy in the normal dwarf gourami several years ago, but deffo not 99%, as is quoted.......

 

[Colin_T]

I know there have been a lot of problems involving the Dwarfs, but have the little honey gouramis and the standard gouramis been coming down sick too?

Dwarf gouramis (Colisa lalia) is the main one with TB and viral problems. However, any Labyrinth (gourami or betta) that has been in a tank with these fish, or has been in contact with these fish could pick up the diseases. But generally the other gouramis are fine and it is only the dwarf that has real issues currently.

 

[Gilli]

So colin - if its only the dwarfs that are affected would my tank be big enough for an ordinary gourami? It will be a 250L tank? And if so would it get on with my current fish

German blue rams
Platy
guppy
Zebra danios
Black phantom tetras
Panda corys
BN Plecco

 

[Ludwig Venter]

Adressed to Colin, but I take the liberty.... Mosaics (pearl Gouramies) will fit in nicely there, and 250l.... Yes 1 pair.

 

[Gilli]

Thank you for your reply Ludwig. I thought that you were not supposed to keep one female with a male but 2-3 females per male because of aggression? Also any other gourami types incase I cant fin a pearl in my FS?

 

[Colin_T]

silver or moonlight gouramis, (same fish) and snakeskin gouramis are peaceful. Both species grow to 5-6inches but are normally fine with other fish including small ones.

 

[Gilli]

Could I keep one male and one female then?

 

[Colin_T]

I don't see why not. The tank is big enough for them