Starting over with gouramis

[dualexcess]

I began fishkeeping with gouramis, and had them til we made an 800 mile move. We all loved the pearl, whose name was Pearl, most. But she was so shy.

I have a 14 gallon tank I'm going to restart up and I'm looking to get sparkling gouramis. My idea is that when I buy the 55 gallon community one in the next little while, I'll make the 36 gallon one into a gourami tank, with a new pearl as the centerpiece.

I've never kept the tiny ones; will they be too much for a big shy one? I remember that the three-spots were always kind of mean, and she got along with the dwarf, but everyone has terrible things to say about how those are bred...

I'm on my way to the fish store to take notes on which varieties they have, but though the people are knowledgeable and they care for the fish beautifully, they're kind of unfriendly.

 

[abstract]

i cant get over how much i love sparkling gouramis since i have had them (over a month now)...they have such great personality and are so curious all of the time...you can see the current stock i have in with 8 sparklers in my profile - i haven't had a single issue yet...all of the other fish are large and completely ignore the sparkling gouramis..

although i have paradise fish, which are known to be agressive with similar kinds, i have never kept any other types of gouramis with them...however, from my observations they pay absolutely no attention the sparklers...i think the fact that they are so small and do not really resemble other gouramis makes them fit in just fine...i'm pretty sure you could get away with putting these fish with just about any other type of fish that couldn't fit it in its mouth..

 

[sylvia]

3-5 sparklers would be fine - both in the 15 gallon or the larger tank with pearls. A male with 2 females or a couple of males with about twice as many females would be ideal. They love a planted tank.

When/if you decide to get a pearl gourami again (my favourite fish ), unless you will only be getting a male, I'd get mroe than one. They do like the company of others of their own kind and they are less shy this way. Also, planting the tank and providing lots of hiding places makes them feel more secure and gets them to come out into the open more often as well. Floating plants, especialy, will help. Obviously, their tankmates should also be peaceful.

It's true that dwarf gouramies are very in-bred and not as hardy as they once were but they are still a beautiful fish and you should go right ahead and get one if that's what youw ant. However, I would reccomend a trio or honeys (colisa chuna/sota) or a thick-lipped or banded gourami as better alternatvies because they are hardier but look similar. All these should get along with pearls or sparklers. Croaking gouramies would also be an option (as a trio).

Regardless, I think the original pearl/sparkler idea is the best. Don't get more than 3-5 pearls for the 36 gallon though or you'll be over-crowding them (same applies to other top-dwelling gouramies - doesn't apply to sparklers though which would be fine in a group of 3-7).

As for three-spots, I'd avoid them. If you want some, get 3-4 females and leave it at that - no pearls or dwarfs. Never keep 2 males together in a tank smaller than 55 gallons either. In fact, if you want three-spots, maybe consider a single male for the 55 gallon instead of for the gourami tank (I think every community tank should have a gourami ).

Oh and I agree that a paradisefish (macropodus opercularis) would probably be ok with sparklers (particularly aggressive males, however, are a danger to any small fish so watch out). But I would not keep them with pearls.

 

[dualexcess]

Thanks so much for the great information. I especially appreciate advice about how many pearls to keep in the larger tank, as it's so easy to get conflicting advice about gouramis.

I found a shop about an hour away that carries the sparklers. So now I just have to get set up for them. I'm excited!

 

[abstract]

Thanks so much for the great information. I especially appreciate advice about how many pearls to keep in the larger tank, as it's so easy to get conflicting advice about gouramis.

I found a shop about an hour away that carries the sparklers. So now I just have to get set up for them. I'm excited!

don't forget pictures