Betta splendens w/ Croaking Gourami

[Kiarra]

I tried posting this in the Gourami section, but it's been almost 24 hours, and not a word, and I really need to know.

"I have a pair of fish originally sold to my LFS as Betta imbellis. I knew immediately that they were not, as I am familiar with that particular species, but I figured that they were of Bettas genus, as they looked very much like flattened Bettas, so I purchased a pair. I have had them several weeks, perhaps as long as a month. In that time, they have come to live in a tank with 5 female Betta splendens and seem quite happy there. I've been actively researching the correct species for these two the entire time I've had them, and found nothing under the Betta genus that resembled them close enough to say, "yes, that's it!" It was only completely by accident that I found the picture that led me to the truth.

These fish are Trichopsis vittatus...the Croaking Gourami. Well then. Imagine my surprise. My strange little unknown Betta genus fish aren't Betta genus at all.

While I've done my own research on this fish, there doesn't seem to be much out there to be found on how to keep them happily in captivity. For as long as they've lived with me, they've lived with 5 female Betta splendens, an African Dwarf Frog, and an Albino Cory Cat, and there has been absolute peace in that tank. They've learned to eat Betta pellets instead of just worms (which was all they'd eat when I got them), and have actually varied their diet considerably. They seem happy. I don't have to move them, do I?

I'd appreciate any advice offered, and I'd really prefer to leave them with the female Betta splendens unless there's any big reason I shouldn't. PLEASE advice. As strange as they are, and as musical at night (in combination with the frog, no less), I don't want to miss anything big with them that would cause them to die."

That's a cut and paste copy of the text from the original message. Does ANYONE have any advice for me on this? The fish in question seem to be in good health, and get along fabulously with their tank mates, which just got switched around and are now: 5 female Betta splendens, 3 African Dwarf Frogs, and 2 Otos. Tank size isn't an issue, neither are conditions. It's a matter of compatibility. I've had no problems, but I don't really want to wake up with a massacre.

 

[cometcattle]

When I had Croakers, I was always afraid to keep them with female bettas, because they look so similar. It just seemed like an unnecessary risk.

I have kept them with ottos, ADFs, and corries. They make great community fish.

I have noticed they can be a bit territorial among themselves. I had 4 in a 29g, and ended up having to remove one.

Did you read Julie's profile on them?
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=35158

Croakers are often mis-labeled Sparkling Gouramis (Trichopsis pumilus) in stores. I found my first Croaker mixed in with Sparklers in a LFS.

 

[Kiarra]

I read the profile, but I didn't really get anything definitive, saying, "don't put this with Bettas!" which was really what I wanted. A definitive yes or no.

Honestly, when it was just the two Gouramis (then, I was calling them weird Betta genus critters), the larger one picked on the smaller one. I ended up separating them, and felt bad, because they both got lonely and stopping being active. So I put them in together with the female Bettas, and everyone was happy, so I kind of just left it that way.... I watched them a lot in the initial few days, never saw a SINGLE problem. Since then, they've gotten a lot less shy, they've fattened up, they eat whatever is offered to them, and they hang out a lot with the Betta girls. I really think it's been beneficial to them, but if there's a REALLY good reason they shouldn't be together, then I'd pull them.

I was a little worried at first about putting them in with female Bettas, but, on the day I did it, I watched them like the proverbial hawk. Not a single bit of squabble. Just very curious Betta noses glued to the Gouramis for about an hour. Then they just became tank mates, no big deal at all. My girls are pretty good...that batch, anyway. I do have some snotty hags elsewhere.

I know for a fact that mine are Croaking Gouramis, because I did the research myself over the course of a month, extensive research. Thinking they were Betta genus.... Whoops. Ah, well, it all worked out. They're no worse for it, anyway. And I no longer blame the frog for ALL of the croaking at night....

Thanks so much for replying. Seems that either no one is willing to discuss these critters, or no one knows anything about them.

 

[BettaMomma]

I know NOTHING bout them, but is it possible that if it acts like them, looks like them, they think they ARE other female bettas? Can they tell the diff??

I'd LOVE to see a picture of them!!!

 

[Kiarra]

Unfortunately, I don't have a camera. But I'll google them!

http/www.solodvds.com/images/fish/croakin_gourami.jpg

They look like flattened fish of Betta genus, I tell ya. Had me pretty convinced for a long time. They shimmer a nice, pretty green, too.

 

[Bettaman]

 

[Kiarra]

Yeah, mine look like a color combination between the pic I linked to and the pic Bettaman (thanks!) attached. Cute fish. Just look all...squished...compared to the Bettas.

 

[BettaMomma]

Dang!
Here's my Millie:

Very similar!

 

[Kiarra]

Until you see them from the front. They're VERY narrow. I can't find any pictures of them from head-on, but, yes, from the side, they look very much like Bettas! Had me SOOOO confused!

 

[cometcattle]

I read the profile, but I didn't really get anything definitive, saying, "don't put this with Bettas!" which was really what I wanted. A definitive yes or no.

Honestly, when it was just the two Gouramis (then, I was calling them weird Betta genus critters), the larger one picked on the smaller one. I ended up separating them, and felt bad, because they both got lonely and stopping being active. So I put them in together with the female Bettas, and everyone was happy, so I kind of just left it that way.... I watched them a lot in the initial few days, never saw a SINGLE problem. Since then, they've gotten a lot less shy, they've fattened up, they eat whatever is offered to them, and they hang out a lot with the Betta girls. I really think it's been beneficial to them, but if there's a REALLY good reason they shouldn't be together, then I'd pull them.

I was a little worried at first about putting them in with female Bettas, but, on the day I did it, I watched them like the proverbial hawk. Not a single bit of squabble. Just very curious Betta noses glued to the Gouramis for about an hour. Then they just became tank mates, no big deal at all. My girls are pretty good...that batch, anyway. I do have some snotty hags elsewhere.

I know for a fact that mine are Croaking Gouramis, because I did the research myself over the course of a month, extensive research. Thinking they were Betta genus.... Whoops. Ah, well, it all worked out. They're no worse for it, anyway. And I no longer blame the frog for ALL of the croaking at night....

Thanks so much for replying. Seems that either no one is willing to discuss these critters, or no one knows anything about them.

It sounds like it's working well, and you have a good balance in the tank. It's always good to have a back-up plan, in case things take a turn for the worst.

When they are stressed, they will show the horizontal stress bars, and get lighter in color. You should see those beautiful blues eyes clearly. I like to refer to them as little Sinatra fish.

Mine seemed to be more relaxed when their tank had a dark substrate (black sand).

 

[Kiarra]

Yeah, I saw the horizontal stress bars in the store, which had led me to think even further that they were Bettas.... Ah, I was so confused....

There's a couple of different back-up plans in case something in that tank goes foul, but that's really the most comfortable arrangement for them. No horizontal bars are showing, and we have bright blue eyes and green iridescence. Very cute right now. I was a little disappointed when I found out they were Gouramis, because I had thought they were Bettas, but, hey, they're cute, and I like them. And they're bubblenesting! They AND my girly Bettas. Same areas...and opposite areas. It's kinda cute, really. Everyone's inept, though, and can't produce a cohesive nest. Either that, or the frogs keep breaking them up. Uh...probably a little from column A, and a little from column B.

 

[Dorkhedeos]

sweetness! are you going to sell the croaking betta?

 

[squeeker]

I bought 3 sparkling gouramis last week. However, they look exactly like the pic posted in the index. Does this mean that they are actually croaking gouramis? What is the difference between the two?

I have mine with a variety of fish: a female krib, 2 female bettas, 3 ottos, 4 gold tetras, and 3 threadfin rainbows. The tank is planted, and the little gouramis are only 3/4" long.

However, I have no problems! They are colored up, and active. No one bothers them, and they don't bother anyone either.

I think you'll be fine.

 

[Kiarra]

Nah, there was a confusion with the pic on that index profile page. Those are actually Sparkling Gouramis on the profile for the Croaking Gourami.

 

[squeeker]

OK, that's what I thought. Good to know I'm not going crazy!