What Do You All Reckon?

[johnboy!]

Had my chocolate gourami for almost 2 weeks now, and i'm looking at setting up a tank to breed them in, just them and possibly a bulldog plec to keep the tank clean, i'm just wandering what size tank would be seen as an absolute minimum for a trio of chocolate gourami and a bulldog plec?

 

[fluttermoth]

I wouldn't put any kind of plec in a breeding tank; they're far too keen on sucking up eggs and fry if they can; I know the gouramis are bubble nesters, but it's not worth the risk, IMO. All plecs make far more mess than they ever clean up!

As chocolates are so delicate, I'd use a largish tank just to make sure your water stays stable; 80l would be a good size. You want to have room to grow the fry on in there as well; too small a tank will stunt fry, and you don't want to be moving them to different tanks either.

Best of luck!

 

[johnboy!]

appreciate the reply, i know someone selling the twin of my current tank, 24x24x16 so i think i may split it in half?

 

[fluttermoth]

No, I'd keep it in one; sounds like a nice size

 

[johnboy!]

16" high, kinda ideal for them i think

 

[fluttermoth]

Yes, as you do want to keep the water level quite low (and have a really tight fitting cover glass) to make sure the air is warm and moist; lots of labyrinth fry die when they fill their labyrinth organ ('take their first breath') if the air is too cold or dry