Dwarf Gourami

[Debbie_19]

Just a quick question, could you keep a dwarf gourami with a female betta? I currently have two female bettas (used to have more) but rehoming one as they keep wanting to fight, they never hurt each other or nip but constantly chasing each other around the tank so was thinking about getting a dwarf gourami to replace her.

 

[windandfire12]

Well from what they tell me Gouramis and bettas should not be kept together because they'll end up fighting. If you still want to get a Dwarf Gourami, I suggest you read NMONKS post on this page about Dwarf Gouramis because they are prone to illness. His post is at the top of Gouramis and Anabantoids page.

 

[aiwenbettas]

Hi. I definately agree with the post above about the Dwarf Gourami illness issue. Fortunately, the specimens I acquired were QTed and disease-free. I have my M/F pair of Dwarf Gouramis in a 37g with 5 females bettas no problem whatsoever. There may be problems with smaller tanks because of the territory issue.

However, in your case, I would not suggest getting a Dwarf Gourami to replace the third female. That will not help much. In order for female bettas to be able to establish a peck order, you need AT LEAST 3 females; having only two is just asking for trouble. They may be fine together now, but once the betta instincts kick in, both will want to be alpha female and constantly fight until one or both are severely injured or even till death.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[sylvia]

How many gallons is your tank? Instead of trying to solve the problem by introducing a different gourami (bettas are a species of gourami), which won't help, add 2 or more female bettas around the same size as your existing two. That should reduce the aggression soon enough.

BTW, to spell it out, dwarf gouramies are extremely prone to disease - they should not be put in a tank with anything liable to chase or harass them and hence stress them (which leads to disease) - so a betta is a no-no (IMO at least ).