Gourami's, Good, Bad Or Evil In A Community Tank

[KittyKat]

* 1 Trichogaster trichopterus (blue/opaline/gold/three-spot gourami) or 1 lace gourami or 1m 3f honey gourami or 1m 2f dwarf gourami or 12 sparkling gourami

Just going to nit-pick

Always good to do that

Although tiny, I wouldn't advise getting 12 Sparkling Gourami together. Chances are you will get a few males in there, which will start a war zone. IME the males are pretty boisterous, aggressive and territorial when there are more than 1 males in the tank. Personally, I would only keep them in small groups with only 1 male, this way they are less aggressive AND less timid (Sparkling Gouramis are very timid FYI, not usually a good choice for no plants/lightly planted tanks)

Actually, I found exactly the opposite from keeping them: in groups smaller than 6-8, the males would always attempt to go on a murder spree if there were any more around, but in deep 3 ft and standard 4ft tanks, groups of 10+ were much more successful, breading regularly and generally being peaceful.. definitely agree that they do much better in planted tanks. Maybe had something to do with there being enough females to keep the males busy with babies?

*1 Big Gourami such as Pearl Gouramis, 3 Spot/Opaline/Gold Gouramis, Moonlight Gourami but do this with caution...these Gouramis grow large and will eat anything that fits into their mouths, including small fishes (Lampeyes... ).

Was suggested because in my experience do not bother anything at all (not even livebearer fry) if reasonably fed (read: not starved)..

 

[Carlovel1]

Actually, I found exactly the opposite from keeping them: in groups smaller than 6-8, the males would always attempt to go on a murder spree if there were any more around, but in deep 3 ft and standard 4ft tanks, groups of 10+ were much more successful, breading regularly and generally being peaceful.. definitely agree that they do much better in planted tanks. Maybe had something to do with there being enough females to keep the males busy with babies?

Maybe so...my experience is that the Sparkling Gouramis would gang up on my other fishes. I found reducing the numbers reduced aggression significantly.

 

[Carlovel1]

*1 Big Gourami such as Pearl Gouramis, 3 Spot/Opaline/Gold Gouramis, Moonlight Gourami but do this with caution...these Gouramis grow large and will eat anything that fits into their mouths, including small fishes (Lampeyes... ).

Was suggested because in my experience do not bother anything at all (not even livebearer fry) if reasonably fed (read: not starved)..

Gouramis vary in temperament massively. I have kept tons of Gourami in the passed and in general, I can say they WILL eat small fish if they can fit into their mouths. Cardinal Tetras are a particularly favourite meal . In particular, it is older Gouramis that will prey upon small fish. And no, of course I don't starve my fish...

 

[KittyKat]

*1 Big Gourami such as Pearl Gouramis, 3 Spot/Opaline/Gold Gouramis, Moonlight Gourami but do this with caution...these Gouramis grow large and will eat anything that fits into their mouths, including small fishes (Lampeyes... ).

Was suggested because in my experience do not bother anything at all (not even livebearer fry) if reasonably fed (read: not starved)..

Gouramis vary in temperament massively. I have kept tons of Gourami in the passed and in general, I can say they WILL eat small fish if they can fit into their mouths. Cardinal Tetras are a particularly favourite meal . In particular, it is older Gouramis that will prey upon small fish. And no, of course I don't starve my fish...

I wasn't implying that you do, more that I didn't try to make them feel hungry on purpose!

Actually, I found exactly the opposite from keeping them: in groups smaller than 6-8, the males would always attempt to go on a murder spree if there were any more around, but in deep 3 ft and standard 4ft tanks, groups of 10+ were much more successful, breading regularly and generally being peaceful.. definitely agree that they do much better in planted tanks. Maybe had something to do with there being enough females to keep the males busy with babies?

Maybe so...my experience is that the Sparkling Gouramis would gang up on my other fishes. I found reducing the numbers reduced aggression significantly.

As in, other species?!? No, mine most definitely did not ever even look at other species.. they were only concerned with each other!

 

[Carlovel1]

Fair enough..different experiences

 

[KittyKat]

Fair enough..different experiences

No, seriously, I want to know what you kept them with!

 

[Carlovel1]

Fair enough..different experiences

No, seriously, I want to know what you kept them with!

IIRC... ... Harlequin Rasboras, Corydoras Habrosus and some Hisonotus leucofrenatus
I lost a C.Habrosus due to stress and my Rasboras were showing nipped fins so I am guessing it was the Sparklers.But this happened when there were 9 Sparkling Gouramis in the tank.
Twinklecaz also had some aggressive Sparkling Gouramis