Pearls in a 75

[CockroachTheory]

I’m looking to keep a group of pearl gouramis as the centerpiece fish in a 75gallon community, with small rasboras and a couple smaller/not too boisterous barbs.
I am hoping to keep 3 males and 5 females.
Would this work out or should I consider 2 males and 6 females instead? I want good color and natural behavior, without aggression that would be considered cruel to the fish.
Thank you for your input.

 

[Byron]

One never can be certain when it comes to individual fish behaving according to or contrary to the norm for the species. But I would consider 3/5 worth doing. Make sure to add all 8 together, this goes a long way with even mildly territorial gourami.

I would not do barbs though, most are much too active. This tank is where the rasboras do well, perhaps Trigonostigma espei, or T. hengeli, in a good group of 15-20. Other rasboras worth considering too. Lots of floating plants necessary for both gourami and rasboras.

Welcome to TFF.

 

[CockroachTheory]

One never can be certain when it comes to individual fish behaving according to or contrary to the norm for the species. But I would consider 3/5 worth doing. Make sure to add all 8 together, this goes a long way with even mildly territorial gourami.

I would not do barbs though, most are much too active. This tank is where the rasboras do well, perhaps Trigonostigma espei, or T. hengeli, in a good group of 15-20. Other rasboras worth considering too. Lots of floating plants necessary for both gourami and rasboras.

Welcome to TFF.

I plan to follow that advice, even introducing the gouramis last, as the largest fish in the aquarium.
Lots of articles about them living in groups of 6 or more, but just as many stating issues with aggressive pearls in a group setting.