So I've had a little Honey Dwarf Gourami in my 10 gallon for a good 4-5 days now... Today is also one of the only days for a while where I can go out and buy fish. Do you think adding 4 neon tetras would do anything severe to my tank? Maybe 5?
How Many Can I Add?
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AmtotheBurr
Fish Crazy
I believe tetras need like 6...
AmtotheBurr
Fish Crazy
I don't know much about gourami and what their compatability is so I wish I could help suggest tank mates. 
How long have you been cycling your tank?
And what parameters were your most recent water test?
How long have you been cycling your tank?
And what parameters were your most recent water test?
Yes, is the tank fully cycled...how did you cycle it? Another aspect, do you have live plants?
Leaving those very important factors aside, with respect to the numbers it is always better with shoaling fish (all tetra are shoaling, as are many other fish) to add all of them at the same time. Not doing this with neon tetra should not cause trouble, but with some other species it could, especially when one gets in to the various barbs but some of the tetra too. The reason is that once a group of fish are introduced to a new environment, they begin to settle down and their natural traits and behaviours begin to emerge. Each species can be different, but there are those that will quickly establish an hierarchy within the group now present, and once they do, adding other new fish can be a recipe for trouble. Some will form territories, individual fish within the shoal perhaps, or as a group. Adding new fish in this scenario is also often trouble.
Another aspect of this is that the more fish there are in the initial group, the more relaxed they will be, with less stress, and thus they will settle in faster, which means fewer health risks now and down the road. Stress itself is the root cause of about 95% of all fish disease, so avoiding stress as much as we can will always be better long-term, as stress affects fish physiologically and sometimes the effects can be permanent.
A 10g tank is a very small space, and even neon tetra should have more room, so they can have a larger group. The Honey Gourami is another factor in this. Plants can make a difference here too. However, provided no other fish are intended, a group of seven neons and the HG can manage, with weekly partial water changes of half the tank, not overfeeding, and lots of cover (live or fake plants, bits of wood, and floating plants are important).
Byron.
Leaving those very important factors aside, with respect to the numbers it is always better with shoaling fish (all tetra are shoaling, as are many other fish) to add all of them at the same time. Not doing this with neon tetra should not cause trouble, but with some other species it could, especially when one gets in to the various barbs but some of the tetra too. The reason is that once a group of fish are introduced to a new environment, they begin to settle down and their natural traits and behaviours begin to emerge. Each species can be different, but there are those that will quickly establish an hierarchy within the group now present, and once they do, adding other new fish can be a recipe for trouble. Some will form territories, individual fish within the shoal perhaps, or as a group. Adding new fish in this scenario is also often trouble.
Another aspect of this is that the more fish there are in the initial group, the more relaxed they will be, with less stress, and thus they will settle in faster, which means fewer health risks now and down the road. Stress itself is the root cause of about 95% of all fish disease, so avoiding stress as much as we can will always be better long-term, as stress affects fish physiologically and sometimes the effects can be permanent.
A 10g tank is a very small space, and even neon tetra should have more room, so they can have a larger group. The Honey Gourami is another factor in this. Plants can make a difference here too. However, provided no other fish are intended, a group of seven neons and the HG can manage, with weekly partial water changes of half the tank, not overfeeding, and lots of cover (live or fake plants, bits of wood, and floating plants are important).
Byron.
TwoTankAmin
Fish Connoisseur
On the other hand, you might consider this from the Seriously Fish site about Honeys before you determine what to add:
/www.seriouslyfish.com/species/trichogaster-chuna/
http
/www.seriouslyfish.com/species/trichogaster-chuna/
AmtotheBurr
Fish Crazy
Thanks Byron
If you're trying to pop neon tetras into an uncycled tank, they *will* die.
I know you said you can't get to the store again for a while, but it would be better to wait and have a well cycled tank than stick them in a new tank and kill them.
Unfortunately I know the neons dying easily in an uncycled tank from experience a few years ago
If you're trying to pop neon tetras into an uncycled tank, they *will* die.
I know you said you can't get to the store again for a while, but it would be better to wait and have a well cycled tank than stick them in a new tank and kill them.
Unfortunately I know the neons dying easily in an uncycled tank from experience a few years ago
Alright guys. Thanks for the advice. I think for now then I'll get some other fish. I might not get neons after all... What are some good 10gallon tankmates for my Honey Dwarf? Also, I'll be rearranging all live plants and rocks when I add new fish so territorial issues stay minimal.
Edit: I also think my tank is pretty well cycled. There's some light grime on the filter floss and my readings are pretty much perfect. I did a 25% water change last night in preparation for today's purchases and added some quick start for reassurance.
Edit: I also think my tank is pretty well cycled. There's some light grime on the filter floss and my readings are pretty much perfect. I did a 25% water change last night in preparation for today's purchases and added some quick start for reassurance.
AmtotheBurr
Fish Crazy
For smaller schooling fish, I would personally suggest white cloud mountain minnows. They are very hardy, easy to keep, and they're small enough that a 10 gallon would be fine.
You're going to want peaceful community fish. Since the gourami is sizable already for a 10 gallon I don't know if I would suggest an angelfish or other larger fish.
Some barbs may be ok. Don't get nippy tetras because they may harrass your gourami. I'd stick to small schooling fish like the white clouds personally. Neon tetras would get along fine with what you have like Byron was saying and as long as the tank is cycled I dont think you'd have an issue keeping them.
You're going to want peaceful community fish. Since the gourami is sizable already for a 10 gallon I don't know if I would suggest an angelfish or other larger fish.
Some barbs may be ok. Don't get nippy tetras because they may harrass your gourami. I'd stick to small schooling fish like the white clouds personally. Neon tetras would get along fine with what you have like Byron was saying and as long as the tank is cycled I dont think you'd have an issue keeping them.
I will be brief as I am about to head out, so not meaning to be snippy. A 10g is much too small for any barb species or angelfish. The white cloud minnow fits the bill size-wise, but as this fish must have temperate temperatures (it will not be healthy for long at tropical temps like the gourami need) I would not.
Increasing the Honey Gourami may be a good solution. I was thinking the common Dwarf previously, sorry...the Honey is a better fit and less likely to be trouble with other fish though in such a small space, one never knows what an individual fish may do. The tank size does affect fish behaviours. But a trio of one male and two females would be nice, and provide for the interaction TTA referenced.
That of course will impact other fish. All of the common "tetra" are not that small, most will grow to over an inch. I could suggest several suitable fish among the "dwarf" species of characin and cyprinid, but the existing HG has to be worked around.
Other ideas perhaps tomorrow when I return. B.
Increasing the Honey Gourami may be a good solution. I was thinking the common Dwarf previously, sorry...the Honey is a better fit and less likely to be trouble with other fish though in such a small space, one never knows what an individual fish may do. The tank size does affect fish behaviours. But a trio of one male and two females would be nice, and provide for the interaction TTA referenced.
That of course will impact other fish. All of the common "tetra" are not that small, most will grow to over an inch. I could suggest several suitable fish among the "dwarf" species of characin and cyprinid, but the existing HG has to be worked around.
Other ideas perhaps tomorrow when I return. B.
AmtotheBurr
Fish Crazy
I've kept white clouds in a tropical tank around 75 degrees and they lived for years. I dont know the exact temp a gourami needs but it could be possible (in my opinion).
Byron is more knowledgeable on the fish front than I am. I just suggested the minnows because I've kept them in a similar kind of tank and they're hardy, active, and have done well for me.
I agree with Byron that more than one gourami would be lovely
Byron is more knowledgeable on the fish front than I am. I just suggested the minnows because I've kept them in a similar kind of tank and they're hardy, active, and have done well for me.
I agree with Byron that more than one gourami would be lovely
75 degrees Fahrenheit (which is about 23 °C) is just on the edge of both species. The gourami's would be better off if they where kept warmer, while the white clouds would be better off kept a bit colder.
Besides health issues, a warmer environment will also shorten the life of fish due to the processes in the body going faster. A colder environment (for the gouramies will cause their processes to slow down. So in case of sickness, their own immune system would work slower. This causes that fish will gat ill easier and when ill, it will be harder to fight the disease.
For the main question, I would indeed suggest small species since 10 gallons isn't that much water. Personally, I would stick with just the gourami's. In the case that you really want some additional fish, I would suggest Hara jardoni or micro species.
Besides health issues, a warmer environment will also shorten the life of fish due to the processes in the body going faster. A colder environment (for the gouramies will cause their processes to slow down. So in case of sickness, their own immune system would work slower. This causes that fish will gat ill easier and when ill, it will be harder to fight the disease.
For the main question, I would indeed suggest small species since 10 gallons isn't that much water. Personally, I would stick with just the gourami's. In the case that you really want some additional fish, I would suggest Hara jardoni or micro species.
RobRocksFishTank
Moved On
ChrispTho said:
None of that determines if your tank is cycled or not. You need to do water tests over a period of time for ammonia and nitrite. 4 or 5 days is not enough to cycle a tank without lots of help.
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