How Many Opaline Gouramis?

[liolios]

The tank is 115lt.I have 2 opaline guramis ( 1 male 1 female).It s a new tank cycled with the filter of another tank in use.There are no other fish at the moment in there.The male looks sometimes a bit agressive towards female, I m not sure if he is playing with her...Should I buy a second female or another pair of gouramis (blue or pearl)?Anyway,I m going to add 6-8 harlekins and 4 catfish in a few weeks.


Thanks

 

[sylvia]

What kind of catfish?

115 litres is about 30 gallons so it's just about large enough for you to add 2 more female three-spots. Just so you know, opalines and blues (as well as gold(en), cosby, platinum and lavender) are the exact same species - trichogaster trichopterus. You MUST make sure the new females are the same size as the one you already own and make a point of re-aranging the tank just before you add them so that everyone is placed in unfamiliar territory and can establish hierarchy without the newcomers being bullies too much.

Also, try to re-arange the tank before adding the harlequin rasboras and before adding any 'catfish'.

Don't add anything else to the tank - it'll be fully stocked. And deffinately avoid adding any other kinds of gourami besides 2 mroe FEMALE three-spots as adding something more peaceful like a pearl would likely result in the new fish' death and adding another male three-spot or a three-spot of a different size is bound to cause serious conflict.

Last thing - test your water params. and make sure you have 0 ammonia/nitrIte and nitrAtes below 20. If your nitrates are high, a water change should be done before you get the new fish. If the problem is either the ammonia or ntirites, wait a little longer, testing regularly, before adding anything else. I know you said you are using mature media and the tank's cycled but it's better to be safe than sorry

Actualy, this is the last thing - there's no guarantee keeping the 4 three-spots in your tank will work. To be honest, I'd have preffered you returned the male and, instead, added the two females I suggested before. idealy, you shouldn't have more than 3 gouramies in a 30 gallon - at least not gouramies that are ont eh larger side like three-spots are - but I also wouldn't suggest keeping a pair (as the female would likely end up dead); nor would I suggest getting only 1 extra female as the single newcomer would be bullied constantly and the aggression would not be spread as it would be if you are adding 2 individuals at once. Just be ready to remove fish if they become too aggressive. Good luck with them all!

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

You can prob see by my siggy I keep a tank for three spots. It's a 35g. One male and four females, along with two otos (early residents before the breeding started) and 2 b.n's (1 male, 1 female). Personally I'd say forget the harlequinbs and go with the gouramies, but each to their own. If you want the harlequins you would be better off moving the male or finding him a new home. Males can become highly aggressive at breeding age and may harass the female to death and may kill the harlequins. Mine also became highly aggressive to the young synos that were in the tank at the time of the first spawn. They were bigger then he but he had them all cornered and hiding. They don't live there anymore naturally but do bear that in mind if getting a breeding group of gourami. Plec types are most often the best, just be sure they won't grow too large for your tank!
Hugs,
P.