Three Spot Gouramis And Loaches.

[Rynoah]

I'll be getting a 29 gallon tank for my three spot gourami rather soon (another three weeks or so), and I plan to move the snails he's got in his current tank over to the new one as algae control. The folks over in the Cyprinids section recommended that I get Botia striata or Botia rostrata to control the snails. I've seen loaches listed as suitable tankmates, but I want to be very sure because this boy has a history of aggression towards smaller fish and he's now four inches long. Has anyone kept a three spot gourami with either of these species, and what was the result? If the loaches and gourami are added at the same time, will it be helpful, or should the loaches go in first and get established?

Also, with three loaches, some snails, and a male three spot, would it be possible to add two females, or would that overstock the tank? I really love these gouramis and would like to keep a pair of females with the male, but I don't want to try it if it'll be a problem. He's also got a history of being aggressive towards females, but he was with only one female, and I think that was part of the problem (he nearly beat her to death).

 

[diademhill]

If you want any snails don't have loaches - they will eradicate them. If you are worried about population control get nerite snail or a single apple snail which won't breed.

I wouldn't get any females & would consider barbs as tankmates. Rosy barbs are reasonable hair algae eaters.

 

[sylvia]

I'll back that point up - loaches will eradicate all your snails - they won't just keep the population 'under control'. It's probably best to just use an algae scraper for algae cleaning and go for the loaches anyway

As for the gourami and the loaches... With either species, in a 29 gallon, the gourami and loaches should be able to stay out of each other's way. However, I'd add the loaches first and let them become established anyway. It also helps hugely to provide the loaches (and any other bottom-dwelling tankmates) with caves and things into which the gourami is unlikely to wander. Equaly, it's crucial that your gourami feels he has an undisputed 'territory' within the tank. To help him with this, very tall or floating plants are useful and will encourage him to choose a spot near the top of the tank (as is natural), far away from the loaches.

As far as adding females goes, while adding a couple may enable the male to get along with the two girls, the moment he starts building a bubblenest/they spawn, you'll have trouble - he will chase and bully the females and any tankmates may well be killed. At this point, the loaches would certainly be at risk.

The way I see it, go ahead and add the loaches, plant the new tank a bit and then add the male but skip the females and go for some other tankmates instead. You should find that pretty much anything that doesn't compete with the gourami for the top layers/territory and moves quite quickly will work fine. Barbs are an excellent choice but avoid anything that nips (as that'll encourage the gourami to be aggressive as he'll feel threatened). Rosy barbs (suggested previously) are fine if you are also looking for something that'll help with algae but, equaly, you could try an american-flag fish and then add some smaller barbs (such as checkers) so that you have more room for a good sized school.

 

[Rynoah]

I won't even worry about transferring the snails, then (unless they become particularly bothersome and need eliminating), nor will I attempt a pair of females. Those American flag fish look very interesting; I'll have to do more reading-up on those. Another quick question: fancy guppies aren't suitable tankmates, are they? What about platies?

Thanks very much for the feedback!

 

[sylvia]

No, guppies are probably not the best tankmates for three-spots but platies can work though I suggest you add the platies before introducing the three-spot just to be on the safe side. I have kept them together without problems in the past, so I think platies will work if you choose to go that route - as do swordtails.

American-flag fish are lovely. They do well kept as trios (or singly) and behave somewhat like a cichlid or gourami but look more like a platy in shape and are, in fact, killifish - very interesting blend of behaviours and appearance IMO. Males are brightly colored, females are duller. Both sexes are relatively boisterous but not to the extent where they become bullies and they are quite easy to breed in a well-planted tank. They are also very hardy, not fussy about conditions or food and will eat algae quite effectively. American-flag fish are one of the few killi species I've ever kept and I highly reccomend them - so deffinately read up on them if you like the sound of them.

 

[Rynoah]

I see. I only asked about the guppies because I have a sister (GuppyMommy on this board, I believe) who owns guppies and has some fry she's trying to get rid of. I also like the idea of platies, but I'll have a look at swordtails, since those interest me as well.

Thanks very much again for the information!

 

[bjw]

hi i have a horse head loach but he is so shy i dont see him at all is there any food that will bring him out of hiding any advice would be helpful cheers.

 

[sylvia]

You would probably get a better response to your loach question by asking in the relevant section (cyprinids, characins and atherinids). However, I can tell you that your horse head loach isn't 'shy', he/she is just nocturnal - ie: this species of fish rpefers to come out at night and tens to hide in pipes or buried in the sand if you allow it to. It's also generaly a good diea to feed them sinking foods such as catfish pellets just ebfroe the lights go out - if you do this regularly, he/she may even learn it's feeding time and start coming out just before you add the food so you'll see him/her more often. Note, BTW, that these loaches grow quite big - make sure your tank is large enough.