Snakeskin Gouramis?

[SickFlickCichlid]

Anybody have any info about them? Anybody have experience with them? My LFS was selling them and they look like absolutely fantastic creatures! I can't get any solid info on them though. Some say they are highly aggressive, some they are peaceful. Some say they grow to monstrous sizes other,s say only around 7 inches. Any intel would be appreciated!

 

[Wei_pad]

Well, I'm no expert on fish but I do know a lot about them. After all, I've owned countless ones. They really are fantastic creatures! They are, in general, very peaceful. They often mind their own business and stay clear of any other squabbles. Of course, you may end up with a ruffian but this isn't always the case. Despite being timid and peaceful most of the time, they may fight back if they get attacked by other fish multiple times. My current Snakeskin is gentle most of the time but turns into a passionate fighter when oppressed too much.

They don't grow to "monstrous" sizes

but they do grow quite big. In captivity, they ground to be around 8 inches so it would be recommended to put them in a bigger tank so they don't get stunted.

 

[SickFlickCichlid]

That's great! I think I'd like to buy one! I have a 40 gallon tank so that should be okay. What though, it stunting? I know in human terms that it's when a person can't walk. What's it in fishy terms? Also what do they like to eat? And what would be suitable partners for them?

 

[benzenering]

A potentially larger fish will have its growth stunted when it doesn't have enough room to swim. I can't comment on your particular fish, as I've never had snakeskins, but pretty fish!

 

[Wei_pad]

Basically, stunting in fish is when it stops growing physically (I imagine quite painfully). Stunting can lead to death or a shortened lifespan. As for what Snakeskins eat, they eat almost anything. Flakes, bloodworms, pellets, peas, etc. It isn't hard to feed them.

Tank mates? Less-agressive barbs, loaches, cory catfishes, plecos, loricariids, larger danios, rasboras and some angelfish.