Honey Gouramis-Need Advice Before Buying Today!

[alexpb22]

Hey folks,

I'm looking to buy some Honey Gourami (Colisa Sota/Chuna) later this afternoon and was hoping to buy several.

I was hoping to get all females or one male plus females. I spoke to my LFS who have a few in and they said that you can't really sex them at the age they are which is what I have gathered from research.

I do know what you're supposed to look for but I suspect that they're all going to look identical when I get there.

My question is if you are buying several, how do you know what you're getting? For the reasons we know you do kinda need to know what sex you're buying otherwise it could be a whole world of chaos but do I just hope for the best or avoid them altogether?

I haven't got a plan b fish in mind but want to buy fish today.

I may go and have a look anyway in case I can sex them but wanted some advice before I go.

 

[Ninjouzata]

Males have a pointed dorsal fin and females have a rounded one, is about all I know. THIS has some more info under 'Sexual Dimorphism' if you want to look. They have pics labeled male and female as well.
 
Hopefully someone with more experience in gourami can add to this

 

[fm1978]

My male Honey had a very definite colour difference. His face/upper chest (if that's the right terminology) was noticably darker and almost turned blue/black when he was feeling particularly feisty for the females. 
 
In general the males are that bit bigger and more vividly coloured. If they're all still quite young that might be hard to spot.

 

[alexpb22]

Thanks for your help. I'm going to have a look and see, I had forgotten about the dorsal fins so will bear that in mind as that may be the only indicator.

Hopefully they will be mixed sex so I can compare two together. If they're all the same I may be in a bit of trouble lol.

If I get any, Ill post some pics later

 

[PrairieSunflower]

That;s what they said when I went to buy mine too, I looked at a lot of pictures online before buying and found it easy to tell in the shop otherwise.

 

[alexpb22]

Thanks everyone for your help. I bought three yesterday and I believe they are all females. They have rounder dorsal fins, black stripe along the side and paler colour. There we're know about 8 in the shop and most seemed to be female which was lucky for me.

What do you think?

I know the pics are blurry but couldn't seem to get a decent one

 

[PrairieSunflower]

They all have the stripe so yes, female!
 
I love these fish... I love to watch mine interact, they are so friendly.

 

[alexpb22]

They all have the stripe so yes, female!
 
I love these fish... I love to watch mine interact, they are so friendly.

They are great fish although the females aren't quite as bright but mine all seem to be settling in well. One is a bit shy still but I haven't seen any bullying or bad behaviour and they often swim round together. I would love to add a couple more

 

[PrairieSunflower]

I have only two (male and female) and I find my female has a lot more personality and is so much more reactive to me.  The male is rather focused on just a few things.  LOL
 
You can also get them in red and yellow, the females are still less colorful but they do have  a bit of color instead of the regular brown.

 

[alexpb22]

I have only two (male and female) and I find my female has a lot more personality and is so much more reactive to me.  The male is rather focused on just a few things.  LOL
 
You can also get them in red and yellow, the females are still less colorful but they do have  a bit of color instead of the regular brown.

I avoided getting a male as wanted to keep it as peaceful as possible. I would love to have two red ones but can't find any near me other than petsathome but am reluctant to buy from there

 

[PrairieSunflower]

Do you have any Maidenhead Aquatics near you?  A location near me had them last summer when I was looking.

 

[alexpb22]

Do you have any Maidenhead Aquatics near you?  A location near me had them last summer when I was looking.

I do, I have a couple but neither sell honey gouramis at all!

 

[Shelster]

Bit late for this post, but my profile is my male I owned and below is my female, you can tell the difference between them.

Looking at your pics, you definitely have females, lovely lovely fish, I hope you're enjoying them

 

[alexpb22]

Bit late for this post, but my profile is my male I owned and below is my female, you can tell the difference between them.
Looking at your pics, you definitely have females, lovely lovely fish, I hope you're enjoying them

It all helps at least to confirm what I was hoping. I spoke to my LFS and they said they usually get red honeys in but they haven't had any in for a month so I'm going to hold out for when sons come in. Hopefully the sexing will be as straightforward.

My honeys are out all the time now, I will take a pic at some point but not very good at capturing them.