How many Dwarf Gouramis?

[dewilde2]

I have a 46 gallon fairly heavily planted tank. I'm getting ready to add a few dwarf gouramis as centerpiece fish. Current inhabitants are 5 otos, 6 panda cories and I'm hoping to also add 8-10 neon or cardinal tetras.

I realize that most of the LFS's around here are only selling male dwarf gouramis, and I know there can be some aggression issues when crowded, not enough hiding spots, etc. I was thinking about getting 3 or 4.

Would having an odd number help? Or is 4 safe?

 

[zzyzx85]

I think you may have it switched around. With DGs, crowding diminishes aggression, spreading the aggression around. Too many other DGs to bully. That's why at the LFS, they're all living relatively happy together in a tank.

In a tank at home, a few in a tank would equal a fight for dominance. With a lot of cover and objects to break sightlines, I think a few could live together with the occasional scuffle.

On the other hand, honey gouramis are supposed to be able to coexist peacefully. They look like DGs but are often smaller and predominantly yellow in color. But they tend to be less hardy than DGs.

Might I suggest rams (Bolivian or GBRs) as centerpiece fish? You seem to have a South American fish theme going on and rams would fit in there.

 

[lime_smash]

I would also recomend honey gouramis as very peaceful. Although their coloring may seem drab, I find that once established and happy they are quite beautiful. They do have some disease issues, but with frequent water changes I think they have little trouble.

I have personally kept 3 male dwarf gourami as single species in a 30 gallon tank. I had little aggression problems with them. You might be ok with 4 but I think it just depends on the temperment of the fish and the aquarium set up.