My Tank 2.0 - Gouramis And Swords And Synos Oh My.

[skiltrip]

So this weekend I officially went cichlid free and started my community tank.
I took my one Blue Cobalt Cichlid back to my LFS and they gladly took him off my hands for a very very modest price. But that's ok.

So all I had left in my tank was my Synodontis Multipunctatus (Cuckoo Cat) which I love. He's 4-5" or so.

So I wanted to start off light,and not spend a lot of money, so I bought 3 female red-wag swords (they had no males left), and two gold gouramis. After some further research I read that gold gouramis can be aggressive, but so far, they are cowards, always hiding behind the plants, while the 3 swordtails freely explore their new 29 gallon home. Any aggression I've seen is simply one gourami chasing the other a bit.

Good thing is my Synodontis catfish is pretty much king and everyone knows it. I think that's kept the gouramis in line.

Anyway, and suggestions on completing my stock lineup? I'm thinking I'd very much like to see a bunch of livebearers in there. Possibly pick up a male swordtail to go along with the three females I have, some black mollies, maybe some platties, and possibly even guppies. Would the Gouramis mess with the Guppies? As of now they don't bother with the swordtails at all.

 

[Bebobb]

The platties and swordtails will interbreed.

 

[skiltrip]

The platties and swordtails will interbreed.

I'm not sure any of the fry would actually survive anyway with my Synodontis cat in there, i'm sure the other fish would eat them too no? In any case, I can pass on the platties and just stick with swords, mollies, and guppies.

 

[Bebobb]

The platties and swordtails will interbreed.

I'm not sure any of the fry would actually survive anyway with my Synodontis cat in there, i'm sure the other fish would eat them too no? In any case, I can pass on the platties and just stick with swords, mollies, and guppies.

Most any fish would eat the fry. Even the parents. But if you plan on saving the fry (which I think PERSONALLY is overrated, unless you are making money) then I wouldn't put platties and sword tails together.

 

[jourdy288]

I would probably recommend that you keep more female than male swordtails, about a ratio of 2 females per male.

 

[skiltrip]

I would probably recommend that you keep more female than male swordtails, about a ratio of 2 females per male.

My current ratio is 3:0, so i'm doing ok so far.

I'll probably actually add two males and three more females for a ratio of 2:6, that should work right?

So far I'm loving my swords, they are so mellow, and aren't skittish or nervous at all. They have no problem coming right up to the glass and spend most of their day eating algae in the tank.

 

[jourdy288]

At 3 females per male, you'd be doing just great.

 

[skiltrip]

At 3 females per male, you'd be doing just great.

Very good. I'll probably swing my one of my LFS's one evening this week to increase my stock.

Any idea why my Gold Gouramis are so timid? I thought they were more on the aggressive side? I only catch them coming out now and then. Usually only when I shut the lights out in the room so they can't see me. hahah.

I think maybe they are afraid of my Synodontis catfish? The Syno hasn't done anything to them, and keeps to himself quite nicely, but maybe that's it. Not sure. Anyone else have timid Gouramis?

 

[Bebobb]

The reason that you want a 1:3 ratio, is so that the male won't harass one female.

And I have read many cases of gouramis being shy. One o the things you can do is get some floating plants. This will make them feel much more secure, and they might come out a bit more.

 

[skiltrip]

The reason that you want a 1:3 ratio, is so that the male won't harass one female.

And I have read many cases of gouramis being shy. One o the things you can do is get some floating plants. This will make them feel much more secure, and they might come out a bit more.

I picked up some more stock last night. 3 black mollies (1m, 2f), and 3 neon swords (1m, 2f). I still need to pick up a red-wag male sword to go along with the 3 females I have. Right now that one neon sword has 5 females to pick from (or take 'em all. lol). swords will regularly interbreed between different color strains right? Reason I ask is the male I got 100% sticks by the two females neons. Maybe because he is more familiar with them having come from the same tank at the LFS.

 

[jourdy288]

Yes, different colors will interbreed, in fact, they'll also breed with platies.