Pearls Vs. Dwarfs

[Mariposa]

I have a 21 gallon U.S. tank with 9 harlequin rasboras ... was going to get three dwarf gouramis but am leaning toward a pari of pearls now .
Is my tank big enough? I want happy, healthy fish ...

 

[sylvia]

Yes but a trio would be better - 1 male, 2 females. Keep in mind that, with 9 harlequins and 3 pearls, you are at your limmit with stocking.

 

[Mariposa]

Thanks Sylvia, do you think a pair of females would be OK, or would they get bored or aggressive with eachother? The dwarfs just seem so susceptible to disease, I've yet to see a really healthy looking one in a LFS, but the pearls always look so hardy and healthy.

 

[Weaver]

Ive found pearl gourami to be one of the hardiest fish that I own.I keep them in every suitable tank that I have.Ive definitely found them to be hardier than dwarfs.

 

[sylvia]

Two females should be fine And they are hardy fish - except when it comes to pH fluctuations which you need to avoid (as with most fish).