Tankmates For Mean Opaline

[ragdoll]

I finally gave in and separated my 2 opalines ... the fighting was just unbearable. So I've moved the villain into a smaller tank now - 60L and I don't want to leave him in there by himself for too long. He does seem very subdued and sad all by himself, but I just can't put him back in the other tank because he was really aggressive to the 2nd gourami.

Which other fish would be ok to keep with him? I was thinking of some cories or khulie loaches??

My local P@H suggested keeping 2 angel fish with him. I'm not so sure ... any thoughts on this??

 

[sylvia]

Angel fish are an absolute no-no. If your LFS suggested that knowing the tank size, never listen to them again. Not only do three-spots not make good angel tankmates in general, angels need double that size for even a single pair - not taking into acount the extra space needed to accomodate the gourami as both species occupy similar regions.

If your fish seems lonely, it's only an illusion and I wouldn't rush to get him a tankmate. 60 litres is only 15 gallons and this is very small for a three-spot. These fish are territorial and like to have their own space. If he is also a particularly aggressive individual, cories will not be safe - though kuhlies might if you have a sand substrate and include lots and lots of small ceramic pots and things that the opaline cannot get into. A group of 3-4 would be about as much as the tank could handle as the grow to at least 3".

 

[ragdoll]

Angel fish are an absolute no-no. If your LFS suggested that knowing the tank size, never listen to them again. Not only do three-spots not make good angel tankmates in general, angels need double that size for even a single pair - not taking into acount the extra space needed to accomodate the gourami as both species occupy similar regions.

Thought so
Have to say that I wouldn't buy my fish from that particular store anyway, and after that advice from them it's even less likely now.

Thanks for the info! I've been looking for an excuse to keep a well-planted tank. I feel a bit mean keeping one fish on his own, but I'll add some khulie loaches in a few months time and hopefully they'll all agree to avoid each other.