Gouramis

[newbie_alicia]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone can tell what the smallest community non aggressive gourami is. I would like to add two to my 29 gallon tank. I already have neons and blue ram cichlids. I think a dwarf gourami would be a good addition but am unsure of which kind to get. I have heard they eat snails and was wondering if that were true for all gouramis.
~Alicia~

 

[Mr Miagi]

I dont really think that all gouramis eat snails, but im sure if they reached a reasonable size they would!

Anyways, all gouramis, MOST gouramis i should say, make great community fish and there is tones of choice. I love dwarf gouramis but there are also realy cute gouramis called "chocolate gouramis" or "licourish gouramis" which are really small and would be great for your set-up.

 

[Doggfather]

I disagree, chocolate gourami are rather delicate and should not be kept in a community aquarium, the main reason being water paramaters and aggresion. They require very sotf and acidic water to thrive and can be extremly shy when kept with other fish, so shy that that may refuse to eat! Chocolate gourami also need a large amount of protein in their diet so live/frozen food is a must :nod They must also be kept in large groups (no less than 6!)

Heres a quote from a profile Ryan wrote on them...

One of the most delicate species of fish to keep, it is very fussy about water quality and food. It should be kept in a densely planted aquarium with subdued lighting, perhaps under a blanket of floating plants. Water deteriation will leave the fish open to bacterial and fungal infections. Keep a group of 10-12 individuals. A species aquarium deicated to these fish is best. A small peaceful species of loach may be added for example as long as they do not unsettle the Gouramis.

I would stick away from dwarf gourami irrispective of whether they eat snails or not due to the health risks involved in keeping them. Due to inter-breeding the fishes immune system has been worn down and they are prone to disease which is not only a threat to them, but to other fish as well.

Any other member of the genus colisa, such as honeys and banded gourami should fit in well, but if you dont mind getting a slightly larger gourami, i think 2 pearls would go great!

 

[sylvia]

Also note that licorice gouramies are almost as difficult to keep as chocolates and also a bad choice.

You mentioned you wanted a 'dwarf' gourami but don't know which kind. Well all dwarf gouramies are colisa lalia but there are several color morphs (such as powder blue, neon blue, flame red etc) all of which suffer from poor breeding and often weak immune systems.

Colisa chuna/sota (honey gourami), colisa fasciata (banded/indian/giant gourami) or colisa labiosa (thick-lipped gourami) would all make good additions. The smallest and most peaceful is the honey of which you could easily keep a trio (or more) in your tank. I'd reccomend 5 or so with 2 males and 3 females or a similar ratio. Honeys get to around 1.5-2". The other two species get to around 3-4".

I would also highly reccomend pearl gouramies. these are lovely fish and my absolute favourite species. A pair or trio would work well but they get to around 4-5" so you wouldn't have as much space left for other fish. They are worth it though. The males develop stunning coloration and finnage once mature. Deffinately take these into consideration. If you don't want many, due to size, a single male (or female) would do just as well on its own. You could also get some of the colisa species if you got a single pearl as they are all quite peaceful - just make sure they are not over-crowded as all need to establish territories in the upper water layers.

 

[newbie_alicia]

Are sparkling gourami's dwarfs?

 

[sylvia]

No, only colisa lalia is called a 'dwarf gourami'. However, croakers only get to about 2.5" and aren't very aggressive towards one another so 2-4 or so of these (or sparkling gouramies if you preffer) would work. They like planted tanks.