Keeping Neon Blue Dwarf Gourami's

[Kelly]

HI All,

I have decided which fish to stock in my 29 gallon, which is almost done cycling, but have a question on the Gourami's.

I really want to have Neon Blue Dwarf Gourami's, I think they are just beautiful. But how many should I have...and should they be male/female or all males or what?

This is what I will be stocking...

7-8 White Clouds
4 Cory's

How many Gourami's should I get and what sex for this tank?

I had thought of getting Blue Rams, but I can't find them around me. Could I add a pair into my tank later if I find them? Even with the Gourami's?

Thanks so much for any advice!! I appreciate it.
Kelly

[OrionGirl]

The dwarf gouramies will be fine if you can get a trio--1 male, 2 females. Avoid getting multiple males, as they are territorial and may fight in a smaller tank. If you provide lots of hiding places (plants and wood), a pair of males should work out. Females are hard to find--you may have to specially order them, or be very patient. Also, dwarf gouramies are among the many fish that are farmed commercially, and often are diseased on purchase. I strongly recommend a good quarantine, and be very picky with the fish you buy.

I'm not sure if they will mix well with rams. Both tend to prefer the shelter of plants in the lower levels of the tank, so may conflict.

One other minor point--white clouds prefer slightly lower temps than other 'tropical' fish--70-74, ideally. They can tolerate warmer temps for a while, but ultimately, it will reduce their life span. You may want to replace them with a similarly sized tetra, or even 4-6 hatchet tetras if the tank will be covered.

[belmont0182]

how would one of those male gouramis do in a tank with mollys and otos?

[Leopardess]

Just fine and dandy. They are not aggressive fish at all - they are simply territorial towards other male gouramis.

But, I think that gouramis are much like bettas in that they have different personalities. I got lucky and got three males that live peacefully (ie. no chasing, biting, nipping) in a 10g. I have moved one out into the 55 just to add color to it, but the other two are fine.

That said, it is best to *generally* avoid putting males together....

but yes, a dwarf gourami would be just fine with mollies and otos.

[belmont0182]

thats really good news, i think that those are beautiful fish