Is it possible to humanely place two dwarf gourami in a 10 gallon planted tank?

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nellafantasia

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Apr 6, 2019
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So I have a problem then. Cardinals and neon tetras have different temperature needs. Perhaps I need to take a couple back?

Since the 50% water change they seem to be feeling better. They all seem to be peacefully exploring the tank. EXCEPT...There is a spot in the middle of some java fern where one of them likes to hang out. I worried he was isolating. But at the moment he is really fighting with another fish that is trying to also sit in the same spot. Can a neon be territorial? This is not normal behavior for tetras is it? Maybe my tank is too small.
 

fishorama

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Don't freak out just yet. There is an overlap of neon/cardinal temps (say 76F). It's not easy, but it can be done... I forget what other fish you want to keep...Tell us again please. A dwarf gourami as I recall...Is that right? Yep, you probably need to with all 1 species of tetras, but it's not an emergency.

Water changes are always good! Fish feel happy, & you lower any nitrate etc. There's almost no such thing as too many or too big WCs.

There is a bit of bossiness among tetras especially in a small tank with few members of a "school" of THE SAME species. You need to realize those tetras are used to being in huge schools of tens, hundreds or even thousands of fish...so when we suggest 5 or 6 of a single species, that is a very small minimum!!

It's not they can't get along despite any temp differences, it's that there are too few of any given species for them to act normally & be healthy. I thought you were on the right track with 11 "neons"...but that's really not true, is it ? ugh! the fish can tell they're not the same kind...even though we may have doubts, they know!!
 

the loach

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Yea the temperature isn't the problem. I have been keeping cardinals in the low 70's for decades... the problem is that you have 1 pair of cardinals and 2 pairs of neons. That ain't gonna be fun for either one of them. So take it up with the LFS.
 

nellafantasia

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I read that tropical fish are to be fed 3 times a day. That is what I have been doing. Is that a problem? They never eat all of it. 90% of food sinks to the bottom. I think that is the problem with the ammonia spike.
 

the loach

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There's your problem.... you have been overfeeding 90%. Don't believe everything you hear or read. Plenty of shops and books still tell you you can keep goldfish (plural) in a bowl or 10 G tank. The "stomach" of a small fish is about the size of it's eye.
Just ask on the forum... there are many here who have been doing it for decades.
 

fishorama

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Yeah I agree with TL. You're way overfeeding unless the are fry (unlikely). Even then, if they're very small, twice a day of very small amounts is plenty. You're creating issues you don't need to deal with. Stop now!!

Adult fish, or almost, need 1 feeding per day at most. Vacuum out all that uneaten food every day until it's gone...& then feed less, way less.
 

nellafantasia

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Apr 6, 2019
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There's your problem.... you have been overfeeding 90%. Don't believe everything you hear or read. Plenty of shops and books still tell you you can keep goldfish (plural) in a bowl or 10 G tank. The "stomach" of a small fish is about the size of it's eye.
Just ask on the forum... there are many here who have been doing it for decades.
I am MUCH encouraged to think that I have finally found the cause of my water quality problems. As soon as I got home tonight I did a 40% water change and sucked up as much of the rotting food out of the tank as I could. I would like to skip feeding them today. I hope that is okay. What do you all say to skipping a day of food now and then? In about an hour I will do testing to see what I get.
 

fishorama

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Jun 28, 2006
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Yes, skipping a day or even 2 is fine for your fish & better for your water quality. Keep up the vacuuming! You'll see good results very soon!

Good luck!
 
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