Stocking Question - Honey Vs Pearl

[AZplaya]

Hello all,

I received a 36 gallon bowfront as a gift. I've got the tank set up heavily planted and cycling. Here is my stocking idea:
Large shoal of cardinal tetra 12-15 ish
6 Cory's
1 Bolivian ram
1 gourami

My question surrounds the gourami...it appears that either a pearl or honey would be the most peaceful. I'm curious if anyone has experience on which one would get along best with this group of fish. Also, any idea if the pearl would view the cardinals as a snack someday? Any issues with a pearl in a 36?
Thanks in advance for any wisdom

 

[Blondielovesfish]

Personally, I'd go with a honey.
 
Although they're smaller, I do prefer them over pearls.
 
A good thing about them being smaller, is that you would have more stocking room, so you could have a larger school of corys and/or cardinals (if you wanted).

 

[BelldandyShanny]

I'd also get a male/female pair of rams, and my personal opinion is for the pearl, a male.  But you get what you think is cutest!

 

[Fishmanic]

I'd get a pair of rams---they like company---mine hang together all the time

 

[richpowell1989]

I like pearls im not a fan of honeys

 

[BelldandyShanny]

I also had a flame gourami that was pretty nice, if you want something inbetween honey and pearl size

 

[AZplaya]

Thanks for the replies! My only concern with the pair of rams is I've heard the males get super aggro when they breed. I do have a couple caves and alot of plants so maybe that would help. Just trying to keep my new aquarium as chill as possible

 

[Shelster]

I would go with honeys, mine work really well with neons.

Two or three females to one male

 

[BelldandyShanny]

I have a pair of rams and a pair of kribs (55 gallon) they tend to bother eachother if they bother anyone at all, I suspect you'd be fine with a pair.  Lots of guppies in with them.  But if you only get one, get a male cause they have more color.  I have blues I've never had bolivians.

 

[AZplaya]

Beautiful fish Shelster! I'm leaning towards honeys. I like that they are small which gives me more stocking options. Quick question, how long should a tank acclimate before you add honeys? I was planning on letting it cycle with plants ad tetras for at least 3 month before I get a ram, should I wait that long on the honey as well?

 

[Shelster]

I have always added them to a very mature tank, although this isn't completely necessary.

I have previously read that they can be very susceptible to water parameters - having said that I use RO water and therefore also use PH buffers and minerals plus adding micro and macro ferts which also mean my nitrates are high for my plants. Touch wood my honeys all appear in good health.

If you go down the honey route I don't think you'll be disappointed

 

[Ruskull]

Thanks for the replies! My only concern with the pair of rams is I've heard the males get super aggro when they breed. I do have a couple caves and alot of plants so maybe that would help. Just trying to keep my new aquarium as chill as possible

 
Go for a male Pearl Gourami, you won't regret it.  I've had both and my male Pearl is my favorite fish.  Graceful swimmers, very peaceful with only an occasional playful nip at the female Pearl.  Far less aggressive than a Three Spot/Blue/Gold Gourami even though they're around the same size.
 
Here's some pictures of him in my 36 gallon Bowfront:
 

 

 

 

 

[PlumbersMerchant]

A pearl mate. Atm I got one in with 8 neon tetras and 6 harlequin rasboras as a kind of centerpiece fish. If I wanted a group does anyone else have opinions on numbers ? (Not meaning to steal your thread, thought it may help you too )?

 

[Ruskull]

A pearl mate. Atm I got one in with 8 neon tetras and 6 harlequin rasboras as a kind of centerpiece fish. If I wanted a group does anyone else have opinions on numbers ? (Not meaning to steal your thread, thought it may help you too )?

 
 
The thread starter's tank would be over stocked with more than 1 Pearl Gourami judging from the rest of the planned stock.  Normally I'd suggest a trio of 1 male to 2 females.  What size tank do you have and what fish do you already have?
 
My Pearl pair are in my 36 gallon bowfront tank below in my signature.  I only have 2 because the male isn't too aggressive and the tank is sorta over stocked as is.  If/when the Paradise Fish or the Opaline Gourami passes on they will be replaced with more female Pearl G's.

 

[Seal36]

I would go honey gourami

1. They are smaller which opens your stocking options up and can get more fish in the tank
2. Very colourful and brings out the plants in your tank
3. Mine are very active and are always swimming around the tank

Just my suggesting from Tom