Thinking About Getting An Opaline

[SnBMeg]

I'd really like to get an Opaline (my first Gourami, though I've been considering one for some time now) for one of my tropical tanks, however, I've already got a few fish in there, and I want to be sure that they'll be compatible.

How would a female Opaline do with a Dwarf African Frog, Otocinclus, and Emerald Catfish? And, while I'm on the subject, Balloon Mollies (different tank, but if things don't work out in the first, moving is an option)?

I'm quite new to Gouramis, so I'm doing my research now to make sure I've got my bases covered. I've found a lot of stuff about male Opalines being somewhat aggressive, including toward other, smaller fish, but I'm hoping that a female would be okay.

If not, do you have any suggestions for a Gourami that would be okay?

 

[stang1]

I found Opalines to be a little aggressive. You could try thick-lipped or Pearl Gouramis as they are quite peaceful.

 

[sylvia]

A single female would be alright for the most part - but what size tank. I wouldn't put mollies in with her and preferably not frogs either. (Mollies don't generaly get along with gouramies - not a clue why and frogs are generaly rather fragile things and need live foods which most tankmates will steal)

Alternatives would be a single male pearl (Trichogaster leeri - and my personal favourite - get to 4-5"), banded gourami male (Colisa fasciata - 4") or a thick-lipped male (Colisa labiosa - 3.5"). These are all peaceful so it's best to go with males if you can, seeing as females do better with others of their own kind around.

 

[SnBMeg]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys!

sylvia, the tank is 30G. I had been really wondering about the mollies--I read on one site that they were really good tankmates for Opalines, but it seemed a bit odd to me, so it's good to know for sure. The froggie is used to competition; he's always been with tankmates who eat the same foods as him, and who are invariably faster, so I'm always careful to make sure he gets his share. However, if problems arise I can move him to another tank (actually, now that I'm thinking about it, I may do that regardless...)

 

[Dagu]

I have just got 2 female Opaline's for my tank, They have not touched any other fish, but they do like to have a pop at each other!!