Whats the maximum Dwarf Gouramis I could have?

[MNfishy]

Change in plans!!!! My parents just told me they would pay the extra to get 55 gallon tank for the living room!!!! YIPPI!!! Ok so this changes everything. I still want dwarf gouramis because they are just so awesome. So my new plan is to get 2 emperor 280's. As for gouramis i want as many a possible!!! But i would also like to put 2 plecos in there, along with asorted tetras (probably cardinals). Would almost all tetras get along with the gouramis? If not which ones wouldnt? And just out of curiosity what other fish go good with gouramis and tetras?
Thanks
- Joe

 

[modernhamlet]

Nice choices. Should be an attractive, lively tank.

My suggestion would be:
1M:3F Dwarf gourami
6 cardinal tetra
4 dwarf coryadoras

All of these fish would appreciate live plants and somewhat subdued lighting if you can provide them.

Good luck with your new tank!

 

[MNfishy]

could i get like 2 males with lots of places to hide, like 3 females and a like a dwarf flame gouramis?

 

[MNfishy]

Figured i wouldnt start a whole new topic, please read first post! Thanks

 

[sylvia]

You could keep three males easily, with at least two females for each. Also consider skipping the two plecos and either go for several cories or just one bristlenose pleco. Other plecos get too large and they are solitary fish so (unless you will be breeding them) you are best with only one. Most tetras would be fine with dwarf gouramies (as would be danios, non-nipping barbs, rasboras - especialy harlequins are pretty - and anything else that is peaceful, similarly sized or a little smaller and doesn't nip). My personal favourite tetra is the black phantom but there are many others that are just as suitable and cardinals are especialy beautiful if combined with harlequin rasboras in a heavily planted, established tank. Tetras that don't go well with gouramies are anything too large or nippy (like Buenos Aires).

BTW, flame dwarf and dwarf gouramies are the same species so consider any flame dwarfs as one of the three males (you could also keep four with a couple more females).

 

[MNfishy]

Ok well im pretty sure im going to get 2 male dwarf and 2 fire and maybe what like 6-7 female dwarf gouramis, 8 serpae tetras, and 6 blak tetras, and i cant decide if i want pleco/corys or not, seems like alot of work for some lazy fish, i like active fish a lot more i have a 10 gallon tank now ith some cardinal tetras and corys so. Oh and my friend got 3 2.5" bala sharks that are gettting pestered by his other fish and he wants me to keep them for a while untill they get bigger, how long could i keep them in a 55 gallon tank, like maximum

 

[sylvia]

Hmm... I realise you don't like bottom feeders but I still think a single bristlenose plec would add interest to your tank and fill the bottom layer. As for those balas, they are already larger than your dwarf gouramies will be but I suppose you could keep them for a bit longer though they do grow realy fast (or so I've been told, never kept any myself). Just keep in mind that you will need to monitor nitrate levels and remove the fish when you can no longer keep them at an acceptable level. They grow to 12 inches so I would only keep them until they are about 5 inches long and then move them. Your dwarf gouramies may feel intimidated by them and I don't know just how well the smaller tetras will get along with big fish like this. Unfortunately, I've never kept these fish myself so this is just what I assume. Someone else may be able to help you with more accuracy.

 

[MNfishy]

Ok i think i could go for a pleco, i dont know much about them. Would i just have to drop an alge tablet in once a day and maybe some cucomber every once in a while, or what? Thanks for the help BTW

 

[sylvia]

Some algae pellets/waffer and an occasional treat of live/fresh foods are fine. You may want to feed after you turn your lights out, though I think bristlenose plecs (which are my personal favourites) are not strictly nocturnal (while most other plecos hide during the day). It is likely that they will also scavenge for any uneaten food. They also like some driftwood in their tanks (it is said that they eat it but I'm not sure whether this is true or not - I've never seen this - though I'm sure they appreciate it anyway) and your other fish will like the cover it provides also.