Looking For A Peaceful Pair

[coldcazzie]

what about a pair of kissing gouramies? they are really interesting fish

Tank isn't really big enough for a kissing gourami, and definitely not a pair!

Hoplos are very nice - they would fit well in a 55gal. Again though, you run the risk of a breeding pair. And they will breed. Lots!

I did not realise they were prolific breeders, its till very early days but I've had four ~5cm ones for a few weeks. Absolutely loving them, so bold and friendly, had them eating defrosted food out of my fingers this week!

Have they been known to breed in hard alkaline water like we have here on the south coast?

Yes, they're like bristlenose in that respect. I've never bred them, but I know of a few people who have. As for water hardness I am unsure I am afraid. Sorry

 

[KittyKat]

well thanks for all of the great info and advice kittykat! I think i will be making a trip to the LFS tomorrow to do some window shopping! that should help narrow it down a bit, knowing what is available!

By the way, gouramis can be quite territorial, especially the males… so if you go for large ones, 1m 2f is the maximum you could have! But you would be able to have more of the smaller species

 

[thisguyek]

what would be best to get first... the shoal or the pair?

 

[KittyKat]

Depends on the species of both: if you're getting keyholes, then a shoal is better as they can be shy and need dithers.

 

[Inchworm]

Trichogaster trichopterus, aka Three Spot Gouramis would be a good choice for you. I suggest getting all females since they tend to swim together and are less likely to become aggressive than the males are.

 

[thisguyek]

Trichogaster trichopterus, aka Three Spot Gouramis would be a good choice for you. I suggest getting all females since they tend to swim together and are less likely to become aggressive than the males are.

I was reading up on these last night after seeing some at my LFS. I've read a lot of good reviews on them, so i think i will actually give them a try!

 

[thisguyek]

well i came home with (what i am 95% sure) two female three spot gouramis. One blue and one gold. they seem to be doing alright. havent seen them with the lights on yet, kinda anxious they looked great in the store, so i can only hope that once they settle in the should become stunning!

through research i found that one way to differentiate sexes is the shape of the dorsal fin. males being longer and coming to a point, where the females are shorter and more rounded. is that true? thats how i made my decision...

once they settle in ill try to snap a picture!

 

[KittyKat]

through research i found that one way to differentiate sexes is the shape of the dorsal fin. males being longer and coming to a point, where the females are shorter and more rounded. is that true? thats how i made my decision...

It is true for young adults: juveniles usually all have rounded fins because they haven't had time to grow long, while many mature adults (1-2+ years old) have mostly pointy fins as even in females as the rays often won't stop growing. In short, it is accurate enough for sexing fish which are of the age when they are sold in shops

 

[thisguyek]

yeah that makes sense kittykat!

well its almost been a week and my two girls are doing quite well. very beautiful fish

I noticed a couple days though that one of them has a crippled side fin... it doesnt look like fin rot or anything.... just a short small fin... kinda like nemo! doesnt seem to bother her at all. think it will straighten out eventually at all?

ill try to get a picture someday