Opaline Gourami Aka Trichogaster Trichopterus

[snowflake311]

So I have a 36 gal tank. 6 red tail rasbora, 2 key hole cichlids, 1 BN pleco, and 1 Clown pleco.

I would like to get one male opaline gourami or a pair. I know they get to be 6 inches so I'm thinking I really only want one but 2 would be fun. What do you think should I add one or a pair?

Also how fast do the grow?

 

[Miah002]

You have enough space to house a pair as a pair need 20 gallons.

Try to get two females and one male as the male will constantly harass the female.

This is what most people would say. It really depends on the personality on the male.

To be safe get one male and two females. They grow to full size within two years.

 

[snowflake311]

You have enough space to house a pair as a pair need 20 gallons.

Try to get two females and one male as the male will constantly harass the female.

This is what most people would say. It really depends on the personality on the male.

To be safe get one male and two females. They grow to full size within two years.

Would it be ok to get just one male?

 

[Miah002]

Yeah you can get one male on his own.

 

[stang1]

If you only want to add one Gourami, then I'd add a female and not a male.
Males can become aggressive and may end up terrorising your other fish.
Why not consider Pearl Gourami instead, a lot more placid and just as pretty.

 

[snowflake311]

If you only want to add one Gourami, then I'd add a female and not a male.
Males can become aggressive and may end up terrorising your other fish.
Why not consider Pearl Gourami instead, a lot more placid and just as pretty.

I never seem to find any Pearl gouramis at my LFS And I love the color blue these fish are. I bought a opaline Gourami Today and I am pretty sure it is a female the dorsal fin is short and rounded. all the other fish in the tank are checking her out and she just does her own thing.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi snowflake311

I hope you do have a female there. Females are generally peaceful and even like to swim together with other females. It's the males that are usually a problem.

 

[Miah002]

All of fish are quite big and the tanks big aswell so the opaline should have enogh space to establish a teritory.

 

[snowflake311]

thanks everyone. I added her yesterday afternoon. all she does is hide I know they are kind of shy but how long do they take to adjust?

 

[EcoGeek]

I LOVE opalines!! I used to have a male, and he had a lot of different shades of blue, and was the first fish anyone saw when they looked in my tank. I have kept lots of Trichogaster trichopterus, and they are by far the most peaceful gourami species I've ever had, save maybe dwarfs.

 

[Miah002]

Give her two weeks maybe a month then ypu'll find that she'll come to the front of the tank whaen she sees you.

 

[snowflake311]

Give her two weeks maybe a month then ypu'll find that she'll come to the front of the tank when she sees you.

Wow it takes that long for them to warm up? I notice at night she will come out but if i walk by she is gone. This is my first gourami I have always wanted one but i kept female betta in the tank so I never felt i could have one till now. Do you think if i got another female that would help her be less shy?

 

[pippoodle]

Give her two weeks maybe a month then ypu'll find that she'll come to the front of the tank when she sees you.

Wow it takes that long for them to warm up? I notice at night she will come out but if i walk by she is gone. This is my first gourami I have always wanted one but i kept female betta in the tank so I never felt i could have one till now. Do you think if i got another female that would help her be less shy?

wouldnt make much difference she still needs the time to get to know her new enviroment and feel safe that there are no predators then she will be out all the time

 

[snowflake311]

So I did my bi weekly water change this morning. But this time and I vacuumed under decorations too. I moved every thing around. I filled up the tank and guess who is out exploring. YUP My Gourami is out and not being as shy She was staying in one corner and now she is out. I named her icy-hot. maybe I should do weekly water changes instead of every other week.

 

[Miah002]

You should be doing weekly water changes.

Don't worry gouramis like to explore. After a while they get used to their enviroment and they'll come out to you all the time.