Which Gouramis and how many?

[psilo]

Hi
I have always loved the look of gouramis and have only ever kept dwarf and kissing gouramis. I used to love my kissing gourami. He grew quite large and i had him for 7 years.
My question is this. I have recently got back into fish keeping and have set up a new 4 foot tank. How many pairs of gouramis could i safetly keep that would allow a mix of other community fish too? Also which species would you recommend to start with?
Thanks Psilo

[dorkfish]

Can you give tank dimensions and/or volume?

I would do a school of three spot gouramies, 1 male to several females. I can't give you a number becuase I don't know the information I asked for above.

[psilo]

Tank dimensions are 48" X 16" X 18"

48 gallons

[D-Bak]

my personal favorite of the gouramis ar ethe cobalt blue....

I think they are about the best looking fish out there....

[psilo]

but would it be better to have a couple of pairs of different species or a small school of the same species?

[dorkfish]

So how bout' 6 three spots(only 1 male) and a few yoyo loaches or corydoras sp.?

IMO it would be better to have a small school of the same species with only one male or a single m/f pair. The reasons behind this are simple, try putting to male bettas together(they'll kill or severely damage each other). Gouramies and bettas are closely related.

[psilo]

Thankyou Dorkfish. I did think that two males together would be a definate no no but wondered whether their behaviour would prefer a school. I prefer to see larger amounts of one variety rather than many different varieties.

I have never heard of yo yo loaches but have always fancies clown loaches.
One other fish i also used to love keeping were bleeding heart tetras. Would these mix well with gouramis?

[dorkfish]

Depends on the temperment of the individual fish, some are completely peacefull, some are phsycopaths who will kill all tankmates, the same aplies to all labrinth fish species. But most of the time three spots are relitively peacfull(except with other gouramies) and they should get along.

Use the species profiles at Age of Aquariums (http://www.aquahobby.com/e_gallery.php) to choose your other fish and/or wether or not you want this species of gourami or would like a different species.

[psilo]

Many thanks for your help. It is greatly appreciated. :clap:

[psilo]

Ok then one more question on this theme. Taking into account that fish have different personalities would it be better to gradually build up a school to see how the fish behave together or buy them all at once?

[dorkfish]

Do have a quarantine tank or a tank that you can keep empty until this tank is stocked?

[LunchBox]

I would hazard a guess that all at once would be better since they would establish their territory at the same time. normally if you wait a while, the fish will find their own turf (so to speak) and defend it once you add newcomers.

I dunno though. some of the more peaceful fish I've dealt with don't seem to mind if you add some now and some later.

[psilo]

No I dont. My two other tanks are full.

[dorkfish]

can you get a divider for it just incase you one of the gouramies goes at the other ones? I think it would be best to add the whole group of gouramies at once, then add the other fish a group at a time.

Example: first add the 6 gouramis, then the bottom feeders, then the bleeding hearts.

Also, make sure you have an LFS that will do trade ins and/or will acept donations should one of the gouramies start atacking the other fish. The divider will be used to seperate a gouami should it decide it doesn't like it's tankmates.

[psilo]

Dont think i could fashion a divider as the tank is too big. Think Iwill have to get a few and see how it goes on the understanding that i can maybe take any back that are too aggressive, thanks.

[dorkfish]

Forgot to mention this, make sure you provide lots of tall plants and decor for the fish to establish teritorys with, this should help dampen any agression.

[psilo]

Well i have just half buried two four inch terracotta pots and I have ordered a selection of fore middle and back growing plants online. I have never had a tank as large as this one before, 30 inches being the biggest and I am concerned that maybe the filter is too strong? I have the magi 1000 that is suitable for tanks of 100-300L. This filter came with the tank package but i notice there is also a magi 700L for 80-200l tanks. Mine is 186 litres. The flow is quite vigorous would gouramis like this? or would shortening the output arm of flow be better?

[dorkfish]

Three spots are big fish by nature(grow to 6"), and should have no problem putting up with he flow.