I just got 2 honey gourami

[Ravenes]

Is it natural for honey gouramis to stay awhile at the top of the tank? I got rid of my dojo loach. And now I’m wondering if the honey gourami are stressed out or dying. Here’s a pic

 

[itiwhetu]

These little guys need lots of floating plant and other plants in their tank. If you don't give them that cover over their heads they think all day that a bird is going to take them for it's dinner. Please if you are going to keep Gourami's give them some cover from above.

 

[Ravenes]

Oh

 

[Ravenes]

I’ve read online on various sites that they stay at the top because they’re labyrinth fish. I do have plants but not floating ones which floating ones do you recommend?

 

[itiwhetu]

I’ve read online on various sites that they stay at the top because they’re labyrinth fish. I do have plants but not floating ones which floating ones do you recommend?

You can basically get any stemmed plant or things like frog bite and duckweed. I'm not sure what is available but any of the stem plants can float and will do the job.

 

[DoubleDutch]

Wow those are beautiful gouramis, but actually not Honey Gouramis. These are C.labiosa (thicklipped).

 

[itiwhetu]

Wow those are beautiful gouramis, but actually not Honey Gouramis. These are C.labiosa (thicklipped).

I was going to say something, but I didn't really think it mattered at this time.

 

[DoubleDutch]

I was going to say something, but I didn't really think it mattered at this time.

I did think it mattered. Happy I can decide for myself.

 

[itiwhetu]

I did think it mattered. Happy I can decide for myself.

Good job. This one is all yours.

 

[Ravenes]

Okay so should I rehome them?The guy said they were honey gourami.

 

[DoubleDutch]

Okay so should I rehome them?The guy said they were honey gourami.

No. No need to.unless they're 2 males

 

[Ravenes]

No. No need to.unless they're 2 males

They were in the same holding tank does that matter any?

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

Okay...your fish were probably labelled as 'Red Honey Gourami'. My local Pets at Home has the same fish. Males and females were in the same tank and the ladies were a paler silver-grey, rather than the russet of the males. They generally get classed as Dwarf Gourami, even though the Dwarf Gourami is a different species.
Most Gourami like to inhabit the upper part of the water column, pecking amongst floating plants for food items.
The detail that they are 'labyrinth fish' does not really matter in this instance.

Male gourami will fight for dominance between themselves, often with the loser ending up dead.
One male and one female will usually result in the lady being so harassed that she too might expire soon.
The most recommended combo for these are in threes; two female and one male.

Small gourami are not the bravest of fish.
These fish do need some security in the form of plants and it appears that you've just put them in a big glass box, with potential threats coming at them from all sides.
As soon as possible, get a load of cheap plants and stick 'em in the tank.

Then, if you really want to go further with this, we'd need to know the chemistry of your water (use a Test Kit), the set-up of your tank and what else you have in there.

 

[Ravenes]

Okay...your fish were probably labelled as 'Red Honey Gourami'. My local Pets at Home has the same fish. Males and females were in the same tank and the ladies were a paler silver-grey, rather than the russet of the males. They generally get classed as Dwarf Gourami, even though the Dwarf Gourami is a different species.
Most Gourami like to inhabit the upper part of the water column, pecking amongst floating plants for food items.
The detail that they are 'labyrinth fish' does not really matter in this instance.

Male gourami will fight for dominance between themselves, often with the loser ending up dead.
One male and one female will usually result in the lady being so harassed that she too might expire soon.
The most recommended combo for these are in threes; two female and one male.

Small gourami are not the bravest of fish.
These fish do need some security in the form of plants and it appears that you've just put them in a big glass box, with potential threats coming at them from all sides.
As soon as possible, get a load of cheap plants and stick 'em in the tank.

Then, if you really want to go further with this, we'd need to know the chemistry of your water (use a Test Kit), the set-up of your tank and what else you have in there.

Ah ok I have
6 white skirts
6 of those corys
And I will test the water today

 

[Essjay]

The red honey gouramis sold in shops near me are mislabelled thick lipped gouramis rather than mislabelled dwarf gouramis. Those in the photos in post#1 don't have the turquoise blue dorsal fins typical of red dwarf gouramis.