Newbie Question

[kadkins20]

i was thinking of getting some gouramis to go with my platies and mollies, cuz i wanted some more color and variety in my tank.

Gouramis are a bit bigger than my livebearers though, and i was wondering if they would be aggressive towrads them because of that, and if they were, if there were any smaller gouramis i would be able to buy

i was also hoping for some hardy gouramis with bright colors

any advice would help, thanks

by the way, i have a 55 gallon tank, and i dont plan on getting more than three gouramis

 

[Ludwig Venter]

i was thinking of getting some gouramis to go with my platies and mollies, cuz i wanted some more color and variety in my tank.

Gouramis are a bit bigger than my livebearers though, and i was wondering if they would be aggressive towrads them because of that, and if they were, if there were any smaller gouramis i would be able to buy

i was also hoping for some hardy gouramis with bright colors

any advice would help, thanks

Generally, gouramis are not really aggressive, But I'd suggest you get Honey gouramis or dwarfs.

 

[kadkins20]

sounds good, i saw some brilliant dwarf gouramis at the lfs

i asked about this in the new to the hobby forum, and someone suggested that dwarf gouramis tend to get diseases and are short lived. Could that be an issue?

 

[Biulu]

Gouramis are not agressive towards other fish, but are territorial. This means that they will be agressive towards their own kind and close family members (other gourami types). 3 in a 55 gallon is not a problem, provided that youhave enough hiding places in the form of rocks, wood and plants. Especially plants are appreciated.

Dwarfs have become prone to disease due to inbreeding. It is said that this is especially true for imports from Singapore. I do not know where the US sources their dwarfs from. Here in Mexico I have kept dwarfs for reasonable times and only 1 got the ulcer disease but that was due to hierarchy (he was the lowest in the ranking).

In your case I would try to get a trio (1 male, 2 females). Females are less colourful though, but you might lay your hands on a nice orangy female.

Btw, mollies don't seem to like gouramis and can harrass them.

 

[omega59]

i have had my red dwarf gourami's for almost a month now, they are very gentle fish

 

[kadkins20]

u guys got me all interested now and also not worried... but i do have a couple more questions

ive got high ph and reltively soft water. Will the gouramis be okay with that?

i also add a small amount of salt to my water for my molies, will that be okay for them as well?

 

[Ludwig Venter]

u guys got me all interested now and also not worried... but i do have a couple more questions

ive got high ph and reltively soft water. Will the gouramis be okay with that?

i also add a small amount of salt to my water for my molies, will that be okay for them as well?

Gouramis have a wide range of conditions they can adapt to..... in moderation, I don't think the salt will be a problem for most dwarfs. (except croaking pygmies)

 

[kadkins20]

hmm they had no females at my lfs

would it be ok to get a couple males or should i just get one? or pass on it till i can find a female?

 

[ALW]

Males can become very aggressive toward each other, if you are only buying males then get 3 or more this way they will spread any aggression out and are less likely to kill each other!

 

[Biulu]

Salt is not good for gouramis, plus mollies don't like gouramis for some reason. It is very likely they will harrass them.

 

[kadkins20]

well then id say its fortunate i decided on rainbowfish

maybe ill try some gouramis out as well, but for now ill not get them

thanks everyone for the advice

 

[Gilli]

I think you are losing out on a great little fish. Ive had my male flame gourami for 8 months now with no problems. He is a real character and called Mr Banana because he loves them. He is very tame and will eat out of my hand. He is king of the community tank and swans up and down patrolling the area and is not only very cute but also a beautiful and colourful fish!