question for gourami owners

My experience with blue gouramis has been rather good. It's those dwarfs that always seem weak. I have yet to see any of them last more than a few weeks in any of my tanks. I've given them up at this point.

But I wouldn't keep too many blue gouramis in a small tank like that. Remember that the volume isn't as important as the footprint - and a hex has a very small footprint. Blue gouramis come from shallows and generally like a lot of horizontal space for territory otherwise you're looking for aggression.

They also like a lot of plants, and somewhat acidic, very soft, still water. Sure you can keep them happy in other conditions but for them to truly thrive and really show off their gouraminess you'll want the heavy planted soft water system with a minimum of flow.

I think your idea is a good one. A blue gourami tank sounds wonderful. Good luck with it.
 
First off, blue gouramis (Trichogaster trichopterus) are not delicate. Also, gold, opaline, snakeskin, lavender, and a few other color morphs are ALL the same fish.

My best recommendation as a gourami breeder is 1 male and 2-3 females. Floating plants are good as they provide cover and break line of sight on would be attacks.

True dwarf gouramis (Colisa lalia) are not weaker than honey gouramis (Colisa chuna). The oft bred morphs of various different colors (neon blue, flame, etc. are weaker than any other gourami and are all males) The latter being garbage fish IMHO.

Trichogaster trichopterus can be belligerent, or so I've been told, I've bred may different color strains and have never found that behaviour.

True dwarf males in my experience are far more dangerous toward individual females and will chase them relentlessly to the point of killing them when they want to breed.

Honeys are well-behaved and generally not aggressive even when breeding.

Pearl gouramis (Trichogaster leeri) are a much better choice for the tank you have and IMHO far prettier than blue gouramis and the lot.
 
Nolapete said:
First off, blue gouramis (Trichogaster trichopterus) are not delicate. Also, gold, opaline, snakeskin, lavender, and a few other color morphs are ALL the same fish.

My best recommendation as a gourami breeder is 1 male and 2-3 females. Floating plants are good as they provide cover and break line of sight on would be attacks.

True dwarf gouramis (Colisa lalia) are not weaker than honey gouramis (Colisa chuna). The oft bred morphs of various different colors (neon blue, flame, etc. are weaker than any other gourami and are all males) The latter being garbage fish IMHO.

Trichogaster trichopterus can be belligerent, or so I've been told, I've bred may different color strains and have never found that behaviour.

True dwarf males in my experience are far more dangerous toward individual females and will chase them relentlessly to the point of killing them when they want to breed.

Honeys are well-behaved and generally not aggressive even when breeding.

Pearl gouramis (Trichogaster leeri) are a much better choice for the tank you have and IMHO far prettier than blue gouramis and the lot.
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:iagree:
 
Absolutely fantastic information echoofformless and Nolapete!!! Thank you very much. :thumbsup:

I'm going to have to work on the soft water part because Florida water is always hard. I'm sure there's some additive I can put that will alter it enough to "show off their gouraminess" (I like that).

I was under the impression that pet stores did not sell females because they were too plain. Apparently that is an assumption I need to research. Also I have not had luck finding floating plants (yet).

Thank you all for helping out, I just love this website! :bowing:

Incidentally my last blue seems to be doing quite well *whew*. What personable fish they are. :) (I'm going to make absolutely sure this one is AOK before starting up that quarantine tank for a newcomer.)
 
They are very personable. I had one that was quite the centerpiece of my tank.

The least expensive and safest way to gently soften and condition the water is to buy some aquarium peat (Sera and Fluval make the best - very little dust) place it in a mesh bag, and add it to the filter. I'd say maybe a cup to every 15g or so. Depending on conditions, it can last up to a few months. I keep a 55 and a 20g in slight blackwater conditions for maybe a little more than $20 per month.

Keep in mind though that it will make your water a brownish/goldish/amber color. I personally like the way that looks but not everyone does. If you prefer the blue-white sort of water you will be unhappy with the aesthetics.

Adding dritfwood will also provide this service, and adds to the decor of the tank.

The other methods are blackwater extract (really just highly overpriced concentrated peat tea the same as you would get from the peat itself) and water softeners. I wouldn't recommend the former due to price, nor the latter due to it being too risky and chemically unstable.

Keep in mind though that exacting water conditions aren't so essential that you can't keep happy gouramis in the water you already have as long as its stable and clean. Just that the blackwater conditions are more ideal for such fish.
 
Most gouramis these days are seriously overbred...and are accustomed to harder water. I've never peat softened my water for gouramis, and they've all done well except for dwarf gouramis which, in my neck of the woods, all die of bloat within a month (when I was younger, this wasn't the case). If you're lucky enough to be in an area where the dwarf gouramis are not seriously degraded, they are hardy fish.

FWIW, snakeskin gouramis are a different species and can get up to 8" (they're T. pectoralis). They're pretty peaceful, though, but big fish.

Eric
 
I have 2 female blue gourami and I have hard water and they are doing just fine. Never had any problems with them. I am also looking to rehome them if you are interested you can have them for the cost of shipping. They are 3-4" right now. Just let me know as I will have to get a heat pack for you since temps here are dropping in the 30's at night.
 
Wahooo!! I didn't even have to look for female gourami, they found me!!

:clap: :y220e: :D :thumbsup: :dance:

Better get that extra 10 gallon out....
 
lilcavy2 said:
Absolutely fantastic information echoofformless and Nolapete!!! Thank you very much. :thumbsup:

I'm going to have to work on the soft water part because Florida water is always hard. I'm sure there's some additive I can put that will alter it enough to "show off their gouraminess" (I like that).

I was under the impression that pet stores did not sell females because they were too plain. Apparently that is an assumption I need to research. Also I have not had luck finding floating plants (yet).

Thank you all for helping out, I just love this website! :bowing:

Incidentally my last blue seems to be doing quite well *whew*. What personable fish they are. :) (I'm going to make absolutely sure this one is AOK before starting up that quarantine tank for a newcomer.)
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Work with the water you have. The fish have been acclimated to that water most likely when you buy from a local fish shop. Regardless, adjusting water with chemicals is a bad idea in my experience.

That is the reason the neon, flame, and other dwarf color morphs are only males. The females are indeed plain.

Normal dwarf pairs can usually be found at a good shop.

Look into a reverse osmosis/deionization system if you want to provide better water for your fish.
 
lilcavy2 said:
Wahooo!! I didn't even have to look for female gourami, they found me!!

:clap: :y220e: :D :thumbsup: :dance:

Better get that extra 10 gallon out....
Click to expand...

You can use this for a QT tank but they will have to be in a larger tank after QT.
 
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