Pearl Gouramis

George Farmer · Jul 30, 2006

Hello everyone,

I'm in the planning stages of setting up my Juwel Rio 125 (32x14x20"H - 33 US gal.) It will be heavily planted with soft and acidic water and a dark substrate. I'm contemplating keeping some Pearl gouramis (Trichogaster leeri) and a shoal of a dozen or so Harlequins (Rasbora heteromorpha).

My questions -

How many gouramis would you recommend? I like to understock so would three be ok?

I understand they're easy to sex, what ratio of male:female should I aim for? Does it matter? I'm not interested in breeding particularly.

Are they likely to bother Amano shrimp?

Thanks.

Majjie · Jul 31, 2006

I think three would be fine - as long as at least two of them are female (I suspect five would be even better, but I've never kept that many). I had trouble with aggression when I had pairs (1m/1f and 2f). They are easy to sex - as long as they are old enough. The ones in lfs's tend to be very young and a bit difficult to sex.

Mine showed no interest in amano shrimp - but the one predictable thing about gouramis seems to be that they are unpredictable

My current male has taken a violent dislike to platys!

Well worth keeping though - as you might have guessed pearls are my favourite

And in general they have a reputation for being one of the least aggressive gouramis

Paradise_Gourami · Aug 2, 2006

Definatly 3 would be great because their are no other fish in your tank that will agrevate them :good:

. also gouramis love planted tanks. Pearls are great fish i have 2 in my 55 with a moonlight and everything is great.

Mr Miagi · Aug 3, 2006

3 sounds fine to me too! Two females : One male and things should be fine. They dont bother any other tank mates, so a school of Harliquins would suit. Both from the same region aswell. :good:

They like planted tanks, so no probs there for you! :lol:

One thing they do like is floating plants, or plants that reach to the surface. If you can provide them such an area, they really show off great colours as they relax.

Mine loved frozen and prepared foods, but LOVED live. Especially mosquito larvae and black worms. :good:

From this Profile done by PT (Both my pics from my old 30G planted)

Male: (Note the red chest, and the longer anal fin).

Female: (Lack of red chest and lack of trailing anal fin).