View Full Version : Bettas and Gouramis--can't they all just get along?
momnatur
10-16-2003, 2:18 PM
I have a male Betta in my 20 gal (and a female, too). When I bought my male Gourami, I was told the Betta would likely leave him alone. They didn't have any females at the shop that day, so I only got the male. Well, Roho, my Betta, is picking on the Gourami. Will this change if I get a female Gourami to add to the tank, or should I just take the Gourami back? I also have a female Betta in the tank, but she doesn't interact much with Roho.
Any advice?
Andrea Z and the Z Zoo
demon_surfer
10-16-2003, 2:29 PM
anabatids dont mix well. your gourami and betta will likely keep fighting till one is dead.
I head the very same thing happen to me with 2 female bettas and paradise gouramis.
Bettas and gouramis are both great fish... but not so great together as you are observing first hand. Male bettas will 'hit' on just about anything that could be remotely mistaken for another male betta... they're just kind of ornery like that. Unfortunately, your gourami, with its beautiful fins, looks too much like a betta for Roho to ignore.
I'm sure you don't want to give up either of your fish, but you may have to look into a way to separate the two of them if the harassment is persistent. A tank divider and/or an in-tank betta refuge are options, but both detract from the appearance of the tank, in my opinion. Twenty gallons is a decent sized tank, so there is a chance that if you had enough cover in there, like in a well planted tank, the two fish could coexist relatively peacefully.
Good luck!
-fpsiv
Locust
10-17-2003, 4:00 AM
That's the problem with bettas in mixed tank, you never know how they'll react until you try it. Keeping them together sounds pretty risky to me. I'd suggest either dividing the tank or moving the betta out. As much as I like bettas, a single betta in a 20G sound a little excessive. ;)
You could also try other fish instead of the gourami... but there's no way to be sure the betta won't show aggression to them as well (It doesn't matter if the fish doesn't look betta like, my betta wouldn't leave my hatchetfish alone at night when they were together).
I would return the gourami and get another female betta. They might not interact now but soont he male will probably feel like doing some cuddling and if the female isn't excited about it he may harrass her to death. Generally 2 females to 1 male (or more females) is the best way to keep many fish species happy except maybe fish like convicts that seem to take specific mates.
momnatur
10-17-2003, 9:36 AM
Okay, I guess I'm planning on returning the gourami. It isn't fair to keep him in there if he has to live in fear for his life. I may get a little group of platys instead, plus another female Betta since that sounds like the thing to do. :rolleyes: Men!
It was funny, though. I came home from work yesterday, and there were the gourami and Roho, side by side, asleep in the tank. I peered at them, and Roho woke up and I could almost see him gasp "Mom's watching! Gotta chase the gourami!" He flared his gills and took off after the poor gourami who had just been sleeping so peacefully. Crazy fish.
Andrea Z and the Z Zoo