Bad Conditions For A Dwarf Gourami

[DanielKeepsFish]

Red tail sharks are more aggressive towards vertically striped fish right? So some green tiger barbs would be ok for the red tail I'm assuming.
 
Just a side note; today at my LFS (i was picking up some tropical fish flakes) i saw 2 red tails in one tank, one was about 4 inches, the other was maybe 2. Anyways, the smaller one had its right pectoral fin hanging by a thread, and it looked very pale. The tank next to it was full of completely compatible fish and no one even seemed to notice. Thats cruel.

 

[Byron]

Red tail sharks are more aggressive towards vertically striped fish right? So some green tiger barbs would be ok for the red tail I'm assuming.
 
Just a side note; today at my LFS (i was picking up some tropical fish flakes) i saw 2 red tails in one tank, one was about 4 inches, the other was maybe 2. Anyways, the smaller one had its right pectoral fin hanging by a thread, and it looked very pale. The tank next to it was full of completely compatible fish and no one even seemed to notice. Thats cruel.

Yes, it is.  When the store received the shipment of red tails, presumably there were a number of them, and it is one of the quirks that such fish can sometimes remain in such close confinement without incident, though over time this changes as the more dominant fish begin to act like it.  But when the numbers decrease to just a few, or two as here, the store should recognize the issue and separate the remaining fish.  Sadly, many stores have inexperienced staff who know next to nothing about fish; or the loss of a few fish is probably meaningless in the greater scheme of things so they ignore the needs of species.  But in fairness, store tanks are intended as very temporary housing for fish, and they hope to sell them quickly.  Unfortunately, many new or inexperienced hobbyists see what stores allow and assume it must be OK, but at home the fish usually behave very differently.  Nothing beats research before buying any fish.  For years I have followed the advice given me long ago, that I will not buy any fish without knowing what it is, where it comes from, its requirements in terms of water parameters, aquascaping, water flow, etc, and its behaviours within the species and externally.
 
To the barb question, yes, Green Tiger Barbs would likely stand up to a belligerent red tail and they might give as much as they get.  There are many interesting barb species to consider though.
 
Byron.

 

[DanielKeepsFish]

Just when i thought i had it solved...
 
So the problem has started again. It seems like when the tank lights are on, the gourami starts swimming up and down on the side of the tank again. I have no idea what to do. Adding hiding places seemed to help for a while but not any more. When i turn off the lights, within 2-3 minutes, the gourami becomes much more sedate and hangs out around the floating plants at the top of the tank. Im not sure what the issues are, but my red tail(growing ridiculously fast) is still completely normal and swims around my anubias plants. Should i return the Gourami? Take it to the vet? please help

 

[Meeresstille]

The behaviour could very well just be stress. If you can separate the two fish safely I would do so. Returning one of them to the LFS would be a good option as well.

 

[DanielKeepsFish]

If i were to return one to the LFS, which one should it be? I really like the red tail, but the gourami might have some permanent issues

 

[Meeresstille]

If I were you I would plan a stocking for the tank and decide from there which fish can stay (based on compatibility). In the right group of fish I'm sure your gourami would no longer have any issues. If your LFS accepts fish back you could exchange the gourami for a fish (or group of fish) that make better tankmates for the red tail shark.

 

[Byron]

I agree with Meeresstille's first sentence, and I would agree with the rest except that here you have a smaller tank than what should be afforded to the shark.  This fish is almost guaranteed to cause you issues later.  They really can become quite nasty as they mature to their five-inch size.  And that will impact many possible tankmates.
 
The Dwarf Gourami may just be nervous.  But this fish is prone to serious health problems.  I am of the same mind as Dr. Neale Monks who has frequently advised aquarists not to consider acquiring this species unless you get them direct from the breeder so you know exactly where they come from and that they are likely to be healthy.
 
Byron.

 

[DanielKeepsFish]

Ok, I'll see if they accept fish back. All I want in my aquarium are some tiger barbs the rts and possibly other compatible fish. Nothing too fancy.


would adding another gourami help? I doubt it but just a thought.

 

[DanielKeepsFish]

I just looked up his behavior and it seems like a lot of people have the same problem. Could he be just chasing his reflection?

 

[Meeresstille]

Yes, he could be. But you best separate these two fish either way.

 

[DanielKeepsFish]

Today i found that my fish store would not take back the gourami if it had any sickness, so they said that if i gave them back the rts they would accept it.
I gave them the rte, got 4 bucks store credit, and now my gourami has started eating and acting normally. 
 
I guess the rts was the problem. :{

 

[Meeresstille]

Oh, that's wonderful! 
Have you looked into how you want your tank to be stocked? With the right tank mates you're experience will be a lot better.
 
I have a yellow honey gourami in a 40 gallon long tank with 10 Harlequin Rasboras and Red Cherry Shrimp. Lots of plants, driftwood and a fake tree-stump decoration. I placed an order at my LFS for 2 female honey gourami. 

 

[DanielKeepsFish]

I was planning on some angels. Those are the only ones i have decided on, but i am researching gold nugget plecos. The size varies greatly depending no the site e.g. some say 6 inchess, some say 10-12, I have no idea. 
I also might get a couple tetras or rasboras. And some chameleon Badis would be cool.

 

[Byron]

This 45g tank measuring 36" long by 18" high is not going to provide adequate space for angelfish.  This is a shoaling species, that should be maintained in a group of five or more [except when a breeding pair is alone] and that requires at least a 4-foot tank with height.  At 6 inches body length and a vertical fin span of 8 or more inches, this is not a small fish, and they are not "peaceful" either so they need space.  There is quite a good article on this fish in this or last month's PFK if anyone doesn't believe me.
 
The Gold Nugget Pleco attains 8-9 inches, so also a 4-foot tank or longer.  Badis badis is something of a specialist species, not a general community fish, so this choice would be going down a different road; read more here: http/www.seriouslyfish.com/species/badis-badis/
 
Not sure just what "a couple tetras or rasboras" means, but all these are shoaling fish that must have a group.  Six is often mentioned as minimum, but the truth is that any of them will be better with more than this, and some species need more.  Most of them are good commujnity fish though, but some would be food for angelfish if they were feasible.
 
Putting together a successful commujnity aquarium takes a lot of planning.

 

[DanielKeepsFish]

yeah i was just throwing ideas out there. Haven't done too much research on these species yet.
 
I read the article on Badis Badis, seems like an interesting fish to keep, but a lot of work. 
 
For the angelfish, I could move them to a 55 gallon tank, but i might hold off on them until it's for sure.
 
Any other suggestions? 
 
I would get a zebra pleco if it wasn't 500 bucks...