Rtbs, Jewel Cichlid Plus Gouramis?

[wetdude92]

I have a 4" RTBS and recently added a jewel cichlid (bout 2") in a 20 g tank with plants and lotsa hidding spots. I was wondering if it would be ok to add one or a few blue gouramis?(not sure how many would be ok, or if it'd be ok at all). the sark isnt that agressive, mostly sits in its corner all day, the cichlid is pretty active though and eats a lot, eats the sharks share of food the shark eats the algae so I hope its ok...so ya main question is the gouramis?

 

[Wills]

No the jewel would batter the gourami quite easily, I think that your RBTS is lucky at the moment that it hasnt been attacked. Also what is the footprint of the tank? A 2 foot tank is a bit small for a RBTS as a long term home. If it was me I think that I would rehome the RBTS and get a mate for the jewel do you know which sex it is?

 

[wetdude92]

k well i got 2 female(i think) blue gouramis and then the jewel started getting really mean and chased the other 3 into a corner and wouldnt let the shark come out, seemed fine with the gouramis for the most part. So i took the cichlid back to the store cuz i think he was really stressing them out, and now they're all out and about and seem more relaxed, though one of the gouramis kinda picks on the other one a bit, hope thats ok...? the tank is ya about 2 feet long, the shark is at least 4 years old and about 4" long, i just got the shark from a friend last week, and i dont think its grown much in a long time...do you really think i'll eventually need a bigger tank?

 

[Wills]

Yeah all three of those fish will reach at least 4 inch, Ive had opaline gourami reach 5-6 inch in the past. I think eventually maybe a 40 - 47 inch long tank though even a 3 foot would be ok so long as no other big fish were added. The bit of fighting between the gourami is normal they should calm down in a week or two. And also you did the right thing with the jewel cichlid good job