Mixing Gouramis

[McKevlar]

I have a pair of Pearl Gouramis and I'm exploring the idea of adding a group of another peaceful Gourami to my tank. Perhaps something like Honey, Thick-lipped, Croaking or Sparkling. Does anybody have any experience of mixing any of the above with Pearls? If so, how did it go?

 

[lock77]

I have a pair of Pearl Gouramis and I'm exploring the idea of adding a group of another peaceful Gourami to my tank. Perhaps something like Honey, Thick-lipped, Croaking or Sparkling. Does anybody have any experience of mixing any of the above with Pearls? If so, how did it go?

I have:

1 pearl
1 opaque
2 Golden
and 1 moonlight.

Never had any trouble.

Until recently there was also a 3 spot in the tank but he died.

 

[McKevlar]

Thanks for the reply but I am really only interested in the more peaceful types of Gourami. I know males of the three-spot variants can be troublesome, so I'd rather avoid them.

 

[thereverendturtle]

Any of them should be fine with your pearls. The concern I might have is the thick lip. The croaking or sparkling would definitely be the best choice, as they occupy a different section of the tank.

 

[McKevlar]

I went with a lovely pair of Honeys, in the end. Everybody is doing fine, so far.

 

[thereverendturtle]

I went with a lovely pair of Honeys, in the end. Everybody is doing fine, so far.

 

[McKevlar]

And it's all gone bad. The male Pearl went nutso on the male Honey (who went and hid behind the filter outlet, and wouldn't move from there). I took them all back today and replaced them with a group (1m, 3f) of Paradise fish. I know they're aggressive but their only tank mates are some robust loaches and (non-nippy) barbs. Hopefully that'll do the trick but I'll keep an eye out.

 

[Tuxyu3]

Gutted i didn't see this earlier. I would never advise keeping two males in the same tank.

 

[McKevlar]

Ah well. I knew it was a possibility when I tried it; you live and learn!

 

[Tuxyu3]

Tis' true. What size is your tank out of curiosity?

 

[McKevlar]

36" x 18" x 19".

 

[Ruskull]

I also wish I saw this thread earlier. I keep a pair of Pearls with a single female Opaline and just recently added a single female Paradise Fish. KEEP AN EYE ON THOSE PARADISE FISH! Mine is a little terror, but due to her smaller size she's not much of a threat to the other Gouramis. She sorta hangs out with them and they tolerate her for the time being. There's also (6) Cherry Barbs, (5) Lemon Tetras, (4) Otos & (1) female Bristlenose Pleco in that 36 gallon Bowfront. Eventually I'll be moving the Lemons out to replace with the (5) Glass Catfish I have in another tank. The Lemons & the Barbs aren't big fans of the new Paradise Fish at all.

I also have a very tough Thick Lip Gourami in yet another tank that I've considered moving to the 36 gallon, but having 2 males in a medium sized tank doesn't seem like a good idea. That Thick Lip currently rules over a 55 gallon & I can't really picture him getting along with the male Pearl, the female Opaline or the female Paradise fish. Not enough territory to go around IMO.

 

[McKevlar]

My four Paradise Fish (1m, 3f) are in with 8 Black Ruby Barbs, 8 Odessa Barbs and 5 Golden Zebra Loaches. The Barbs have occasionally had a go at the male's tail, and he's doing the same to them from time to time, but other than that, the tank is very calm. I'm just going to give them time to settle and see how they go. I'm aware they may not workout in the long term but I'm prepared to give them a chance because they just look so great.

 

[Ruskull]

I know what you mean, I made an impulse buy when I saw one available at a local fish store. We never get those in around here so I just had to have her. How big are yours? My girl's body is about 2 inches long and the tail adds another 3/4's of an inch or so.

 

[McKevlar]

The male is a bit over two inches in body size with lovely caudal fins. The females are all a smidgen more than an inch and much duller (although still nicely coloured). I can't wait to see what they look like once they're properly settled.