Schooling Fish To Go With Gouramis

[Ruskull]

I have (4) Gouramis and I want to add a schooling fish to the tank. PetCo has a sale on Black Neon Tetras but I read on a site that they aren't compatible with Gouramis. If so why not? Can you think of any other schooling fish that are compatible with Gouramis, Corys & Otos?

 

[creeker]

What species of gourami? And what are the dimensions of your tank? Some species of gouramis get too large and can be a bit aggressive around small tetras, especially in close quarters.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Ruskull,

You'll want to include tank size and other inhabitants as well so that folks can give a full description of what works. Be as specific as possbile (or better yet, just include what you have in your tank - size of tank, and inhabitants to your signature so people can just check there).

 

[Ruskull]

Ruskull,

You'll want to include tank size and other inhabitants as well so that folks can give a full description of what works. Be as specific as possbile (or better yet, just include what you have in your tank - size of tank, and inhabitants to your signature so people can just check there).

Thanks again Eagle, I added a signature. I would like a nice schooling fish for the 36 gallon. I checked my fish compatibility site & they said no to Black Neon Tetras & Harlequin Rasboras
PetCo has a sale on the Black Neon Tetras, 5 for $5. I was thinking of adding 5 in a week, and maybe 5 more a couple of weeks later.

 

[Ruskull]

What species of gourami? And what are the dimensions of your tank? Some species of gouramis get too large and can be a bit aggressive around small tetras, especially in close quarters.

They are all color variations of the Three Spot Gourami, and I plan to add (2) female Pearl Gouramis. The tank is a 36 gallon bowfront that also has (3) Albino Corries & (2) Oto Catfish. The tank is fairly heavily planted & the substrate is a mix of black sand & black gravel.

 

[creeker]

Ok. Your tank is big enough, but I would be hesitant to add Black Neons to a tank with Three Spot Gourami varieties. These gouramis get 5 inches long and can get aggressive to small tetras. If it were me, I would choose a mid size tetra like a Bleeding Heart. They would be a more appropriate size fit.

 

[onidrase]

Agreed. Try for larger species of tetra. Pretty much anything slim bodied and small is gonna be in trouble with large fish. They look like tank mates at first, but then they look like food once they mature.

 

[creeker]

If you have a Petsmart near you, they are having a big sale on fish this Friday. I have found some awesome deals there.

 

[Ruskull]

If you have a Petsmart near you, they are having a big sale on fish this Friday. I have found some awesome deals there.

Yes, I have a few Petsmarts near me, thanks for the info.

EaglesAquarium had recommended Harlequin Rasboras but according to the following site they aren't compatible:

http/tropicalfishandaquariums.com/Compatibility/index.php

The site is Tim's Tropical Fish

I really wanted to get a small school of Black Phantom Tetras but the same site also says those won't work with Gouramis.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I did?

I guess I got confused between you and someone else who wants to put fish with red flame gourami or honey gourami. Gourami are such a diverse group in terms of size and temperment! <_<

They probably wouldn't be the best choice, as they are rather small by comparison to the gouramis. They aren't nippers though, which is good for putting them with the smaller gouramis.


If I were you I would wait to find some other folks thoughts. Bleeding hearts are a good option though. (For my taste, they aren't very active though, especially when full grown.)

 

[Ruskull]

I did?

I guess I got confused between you and someone else who wants to put fish with red flame gourami or honey gourami. Gourami are such a diverse group in terms of size and temperment! <_<

They probably wouldn't be the best choice, as they are rather small by comparison to the gouramis. They aren't nippers though, which is good for putting them with the smaller gouramis.


If I were you I would wait to find some other folks thoughts. Bleeding hearts are a good option though. (For my taste, they aren't very active though, especially when full grown.)

Yeah, when I was talking about how the Tiger Barbs weren't working in my Gourami tank. Yep, those little b@stards were nipping at my Gouramis fins. The Gouramis would give chase & the Barbs would just school away................

You recommended Rasboras or Five Banded Barbs. I haven't seen any of those Five Baned variety available around here. That same site I posted says that Tiger Barbs ARE compatible with Three Spot Gouramis! Clearly they weren't. They did say that the Tigers weren't good at all for the Cory Cats, that was my original concern, then they started messing with the big fish and they had to go.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Apologies. I believe I misunderstood which gouramis you had. The harlequins are probably not the best choice. The five banded barbs should work though.


I will point out that the website you mentioned also said that Tiger Barbs were compatible with Three Spot Gouramis. You can't always trust what you read on the internet. (This included.)

 

[onidrase]

If you have a Petsmart near you, they are having a big sale on fish this Friday. I have found some awesome deals there.

Yes, I have a few Petsmarts near me, thanks for the info.

EaglesAquarium had recommended Harlequin Rasboras but according to the following site they aren't compatible:

http/tropicalfishandaquariums.com/Compatibility/index.php

The site is Tim's Tropical Fish

I really wanted to get a small school of Black Phantom Tetras but the same site also says those won't work with Gouramis.

I never trust compatibility sites, to be honest. They all have different opinions and conclusions. It's easier to do a lot of profile researching and come to your own conclusions based off of water conditions, size, and temperament.

 

[creeker]

Yeah, finding tankmates for Three Spot Gouramis can be challenging and hit and miss at times. Too small or slow and the gouramis might pick on it. Too fast or big and it might pick on the gouramis. Some of the calmer medium sized barbs might just work out. I'm thinking along the lines of Long Finned Rosey Barb. Avoid the barb species that get five inches long as the suggested minimum of six for a shoal would overstock your tank in a hurry.

 

[Greg_DS]

I have rummy nose tetras in with gourami, nice fish.