Compatable??

[Yorkshire lass]

Hi

I have borrowed a few aquatic books from my local library and I am reading up before I stock my tank. (and while it cycles)

I would be grateful if anyone could answer my questions I can't find answers to in the books.

I would like to keep Gouramies, Dwarf ones and/or Pearl,Blue or Opaline. My books say minimum 1 pair in tank, but do the different types of Gouramies live peacefully together?

I like Cichlids too, though realise I am limited with these, due to the territorial behavoiur of them, but 'Ram' ones sound ok. Would these be compatable with Gouramies and how many off them all could I keep in my tank?

I would also like a shoal of something, maybe Tetra's or Zebra Danios, along with Corydoras. What do you think would make a good peaceful community tank?

I have a Juwel Rio 125 (81L x 50 H x 36 W) Hopefully with a good planting selection.

Thanks

Ange

 

[phanmc]

The gourami males are territorial against other anabantids (other gouramis, bettas, paradise fish, etc), they're not nearly as aggressive as the betta or paradise fish but they will fight with other male gouramis if they don't have enough space. Aside from other anabantids, they are peaceful.

In a 30g long tank, you can probably keep 2 males (any type) at the most, provided there are plenty of plants and decor to provide terratorial boundaries and hiding places. A couple of females per male is a good idea but female gouramis (especially the dwarves) can be hard to come by.

Onto the dwarf cichlids. Most south american dwarf cichlids are peaceful for a cichlid and can be kept with gouramis. This includes the german blue ram, bolivian ram, cockatoo apistogramma, and apistogramma agassizi. Dwarf cichlids form pairs and 2 pairs should be fine in your tank.

Most tetras would be suitable as a shoal in your tank, as are danios, and the rarer threadfin or dwarf rainbowfish.

Pretty much all cories are peaceful and would do fine in the setup, my personal favorites are the pandas which stay on the small side.

 

[Yorkshire lass]

Thanks

Thanks for the reply, i'll print a copy of it.

I wondered about the dwarf Gouramie females, I was watching a tank full at the pet store and I couldn't tell any difference to sex them! Know why now, was probably all males!

2 pairs of Rams would be great I love them.

:dive:

Ange

 

[thornious]

Just as an FYI: I found out the hard way that Paradise fish can be hard on the Corys. I had three paradise fish with my Corys and 4 out 5 Corys lost eyes. Since I have removed them I have had no other problems. I have read of similar cases with Paradise fish. I don't know if this happens all the time or it was just an exception. I just passing on a bad experience I had.

 

[bobandfiona]

Sex of fish

So, not to take over the thread, but it relates to the topic - how do you tell males from females? (say in the gouramis for example)

 

[pwrflpills]

As far as I know, you can tell the difference by the anal fin. Females has a more "fan" or "fin" like fin, while males have what looks more like a prong or boney looking appendage that doesn't really look much like a fin in my experience.

Then of course usually the males are the larger and more colorful sex of the species. I assume this is to attract a mate. Alriiiight... :thm:

 

[Clurin]

I want to point out that if you get the dwarf cichlids, you probably do not want cories, and vice versa. The cichlids are territorial and will not appreciate other bottom-dwellers that invade their territory, especially if they (the cichlids) decide to breed. Also, I wouldn't keep more than one male Apistogramma in a 36" tank. They may be small, but they keep large territories. The upside, at least to the Cockatoos, is they will form harems, so 2-4 females would be fine. I would suggest 3 or 4 so that one doesn't get singled out. Two pair of rams should be fine however.