Pearl Gourami Advice Please

[stoneagedinosaur]

Apologies - I have posted in the gourami section but to no avail



I'm right fed up with my angels - so I'm taking them back to the pet shop this weekend. They are so aggressive and really are terrorising each other and everything else in the tank.

I've done lots of reading around and looking for a suitable replacement and I really want a pearl gourami or two.

Just wanted to sound out some PG keepers and get some opinions before I buy.

Would they fit in with my existing stock (please see signature line below) obviously it will be without the angels and I would like to add another of each sort of cory.

Do they need to be in pairs? Would two fit into my 165 litre tank with all the other fish?

They are absolutely beautiful fish and and I really want some... I just don't know if I should.

The idea is for a pair of showcase fish and I think that they would be superb

Thanks for your time

 

[Curiosity101]

Pearls are probably the most peaceful of the 'big' gouramis. So I'd definitely opt for a pair if you like the look of them, but they're fine as a single specimen aswell.

 

[umpsfar]

speaking as someone who has taking up the hobby for 2 years now,.
Ive found my 2 pearls (both male) to be the only non aggressive fish in my tanks & i love em .(they've been there from the start.,
They are bullied by a female angel and a 3spot gourami(he got big very quickly), but before that happened they where extremely graceful and they are hardy.
I would hold out for the smallest one or 2 or 3 you can find and go for it.
I'm considering putting the two into my 180 with baby angels and baby guppies, just not sure though cause the babies are very small..(angels= 1cm)
Pearls are small bio load on the tank id say.
oh and get rid of the female angel if ya can,ive 3 in a 145 and the female is the instigator, its amazing how she goads the male into fighting the other male and then takes cheap shots at the younger angel ,ive had to separate the tank thanks to her and the 3spot gourami(i may return 3spot & her(shes given me 100 babies ive gota make room)
youve made me decide to bring em back to the shop, they are nice looking fish so it shouldnt be a problem..

 

[nyx2k]

i have a adult moonlight gourami and its my favourite fish. mostly peaceful until food time.
paels are great aswell

 

[stoneagedinosaur]

Thanks for the advice - you've made my mind up! Now off to find some pearls and to take back the angels

 

[stoneagedinosaur]

Just back from LFS with a pair of Pearl gouramis for £5 (and some cherry shrimp, 2 cory sterbai and 2 apple snails and 2 banana plants - seemed rude not too) Maidenhead Aquatics more than happy to exchange the angels even after a couple of months

Huzzah

 

[Curiosity101]

Did you get them sexed before you bought them?

 

[stoneagedinosaur]

They're VERY young, just a couple of inches, but one has a reddish throat. Hopefully one of each...

 

[Curiosity101]

It's probably better to go on fins. As the male should have larger longer and more pointed fins than the female. Also the female will be rounder as she holds eggs.

 

[BlueGuppy]

Good luck on your pearls! Great choice btw.

I have Gouramis myself and find them to be cute characters.

 

[stoneagedinosaur]

They're a groovy little pair - haven't done much except hide so far! Would a floating plant help to bring them out?
Also... feeding with tetramin flaked food supp'd with weekly bloodworms and lots of peas. Will they go for that. and there's more ... are they nocturnal or diurnal?

They are a pair of crackers - I'll try to pop a piccy on soon, just would like to see more of them.

btw - the cherry shrimp (I always seem to type cheery shrimp ) have gone nuts since the angels have gone and the whole tank seems happier. Bloomin bullies

 

[stoneagedinosaur]

Here they be!

 

[Biulu]

Very nice!It is hard to sex them from that picture though: fins look the same. They should be getting out and about soon, just make sure you have enough decoration (plants, rocks etc.)They will feel better with hiding places around.

 

[Jenste]

lovely! the one on the right looks like your male - once he settles in and grows up a bit he should color up nicely!

 

[umpsfar]

They look sweet .
and don't worry if they loose one of their "feelers" they grow back rapidly.