Small Fish Resembling Kisser?

[Fintastic!]

Hi Guys, sorry to keep on about the kissing gourami but I was wondering if there are any tropical fish I could get that looks like a kisser but only grows to an inch or two. My daughter won't give up on our gourami who now resides in the lfs so I'm thinking of telling her some tale about how he has shrunk to fit so we can take him back. Ok, I accept that I'm losing it but I'm desperate. I'm also considering buying a Juwel 180 so I can rehome him but advice is that I'd need a bigger tank again. Thanks soooo much in advance!!!!!!

 

[KittyKat]

Not as far as I know..

Edit: have you thought of maybe using this opportunity to teach your daughter about responsibility? Maybe explain to her that if you take the fish back, it will be hurt and die? Or ask her if she wants the fish to be hurt and when she probably says "no", then explain that it needs a bigger home so it is happy? Or just explain that it will not be happy in the small tank?

 

[Louiseness]

Dwarf gouramis have a similar body shape (and are more attractive IMO) but they're bright blue and red so you wouldn't be able to say it'd shrunk!

Personally I'd just say that he's happier in his bigger home and it's unfair to keep him somewhere too small, and leave it at that. There are plenty of other attractive, interesting fish that won't grow to the size of a dinner plate.

 

[Jamepsss]

What size is the tank again and what else is in there? There's much nicer fish out there than kissing gouramies,. Especially for kids. (No offence to KG fans).

 

[Fintastic!]

I've explained it all to her but she gets hysterical. I have a 10 gal hex with 3 platys, 1 molly, 1 albino cory and 1 pepper cory. I love the pepper, cutest thing I ever saw. I'm aware that he/she needs friends. Eeeekkk!

 

[Jamepsss]

I've explained it all to her but she gets hysterical. I have a 10 gal hex with 3 platys, 1 molly, 1 albino cory and 1 pepper cory. I love the pepper, cutest thing I ever saw. I'm aware that he/she needs friends. Eeeekkk!

Ah, see once you increase your cories you're gonna be pretty packed. Another platy maybe? A different colour one?

 

[coldcazzie]

How old is she? My daughter is 7 and my son 4, and they are very understanding about how we need to be responsible pet owners, and that includes cleaning the tank as required (because fish can't use hoovers/brooms), feeding them responsibly (because if they get fat they'll be poorly), and housing them in appropriately sized tanks (big fish/active fish/fish that likes to have lots of friends = big tank).

 

[Fintastic!]

She's 5. I think she's just stuck on him as he's her first pet. I overheard her wishing on a dandelion this morning, you know when you blow the spores and make a wish?, she was whispering 'please, please can we get a big tank for Nemo.' Yeah, I know. Nemo. Is there any possibility he'd be happy in a Juwel 180? It's all I have room for not to mention the cost.

 

[KittyKat]

No, kissing gouramis can grow up to 30 cm long and that tank is only 100 cm long.. it will barely be able to turn around, if the tank size does not stunt it.

 

[Fintastic!]

Ok, I'll sort this out once and for all. Coldcazzie I think i'll take the lesson on responsibility route. Wish me luck!!
Ahem. Taking into account what I currently have, If I do invest in a 180 ltr, what could I add without overstocking? Thanks guys, I'm off to do a bit of a clean and waterchange.

 

[Louiseness]

Ahem. Taking into account what I currently have, If I do invest in a 180 ltr, what could I add without overstocking? Thanks guys, I'm off to do a bit of a clean and waterchange.

10 Gal is about 50 litres, am I right? So, quite a lot

I'd up the numbers of cories so they can shoal properly, after that it's really up to you. You can have some really lovely fish in that size tank.

 

[KittyKat]

I recommend increasing the number of Corys to at least 6 per species, preferably 10+ per species.. so for example 10 bronze Corys in albino colour morph and 10 peppered Corys. Stock very slowly, of course.

Platys and mollies are more difficult.. how many females and how many males do you have right now?

 

[coldcazzie]

Good luck, I think it would be better - you'll be teaching her a better lesson in the long run: for all that we want to give them what they want, and we want them to be happy, there is a more valuable lesson to be learned in choosing not to have something you really want because it's not appropriate. All teachers worth their salt will say that the most valuable lessons are learned at home - this is one of them. By being responsible about what you can and can't have, doing research into different fish, different decor, different plants, you're teaching her about more than just fishkeeping, you're teaching her that forward planning and realism pays off in the long run. I know it's difficult for them (children) to see it, especially when they're young, but you're doing the right thing

Why not find various suitable fish for a community that you would be happy to keep, with tidbits of information about them, and then present them to her and ask her which she would prefer to see in the tank? And whatever she chooses, take her with you and go and buy them.

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Honey Gouramis are nice as a replacement

 

[Fintastic!]

Yeah Coldcazzie, that's a plan.She seems to be in mourning but as you said, it's an important lesson. Kittykat, I have 3 female platys and 1 female molly. I don't know the sex of either cory yet. What's the best way to mix them so they're happier. They both sleep side by side hidden away. Breaks my heart! Considering I didn't want the tank in the first place, I'm becomming obsessed!