Pearl Gouramis too sensative?

[palmbreeze]

I am trying to find a pair of Pearls and I can't find them anywhere. I see every other type of Gourami. I asked a LFS if they could order it for me. It is the new store that just opened. Anyway she said that they had some but didn't survive and that the warehouse didn't have any. She continued to tell me how sensative they are and they are hard to keep. Is that true???

 

[severum mama]

I've had mine for a week now, and they both acclimated just fine. They are very shy at first and you won't see them for a few days, but now mine are starting to come out more, and they have been eating. I don't think you'll have problems as long as you acclimate slowly.

 

[legendaryfrog]

I've never had one, but if you really want one and cant seem to find any nearby, try liveaquaria.com.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=966

However, in your signiture I see that you only have a 5g tank left to buy fish for, and I dont think pearl gouramis are suited for such a small tank.

 

[Nolapete]

What your LFS said is completely incorrect. They are not sensitive at all. Feed them a good flake and freeze-dried tubifex and they'll show you how gluttonous bold fish they can be.

severum mama, what's in the tank with them?

Drop a cube of freeze-dried tubifex in and watch what they do. Just let it float on the the surface. I break the cubes in half and feed one half of it. It doesn't hang around long that way.

My trio are the biggest gluttons in the tank and behave like the many pairs and trios I've had in the past 30+ years.

 

[Windy]

Pearl gouramis are certainly beautiful fish. They are a peaceful addition to your tank. They do grow to a good size..4.3 inches Temp range is 72-79 degrees. They are quite easy to feed, taking most foods offered to them, like live, frozen or flake foods. I agrre with the post above mine. Acclimate slowly. Try and find an lfs that has had good experiences with these gouramis so that yours will be fine in your tank. Good luck.

 

[palmbreeze]

Never fear! I would never put them in a 5 gallon tank! I am restocking my 55 gallon-taking the cichlids out and making it a community aquarium. I just can't find any of the fish I want.

 

[Nolapete]

I've never had one, but if you really want one and cant seem to find any nearby, try liveaquaria.com.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=966

However, in your signiture I see that you only have a 5g tank left to buy fish for, and I dont think pearl gouramis are suited for such a small tank.

Absolutely agree froggy! The smallest possible tank for a pair or trio is 10 gallons and that's if they are only in there with a small catfish or other cleaner. They can get to be 5"+.

 

[Nolapete]

Never fear! I would never put them in a 5 gallon tank! I am restocking my 55 gallon-taking the cichlids out and making it a community aquarium. I just can't find any of the fish I want.

Check out my stocking on the 110:

3 turquoise rainbows
3 red irian rainbows
3 praecox rainbows
3 clown loaches
12 Otos
trio pearl gouramis
pair dwarf gouramis
5 painted (not dyed) swordtails

There's not a single space in the tank that doesn't have activity. Absolutely no aggression, well except for one of the turquoise thinking Otos are food. The Oto quickly dodged its advances.

Everyone gets along great.

Hope that gives you some ideas.

 

[severum mama]

severum mama, what's in the tank with them

It's a 45 gallon, heavily planted. I have a small keyhole cichlid, 2 female bettas, 5 gold pristella tetras, 5 harlequin rasboras, 3 yo yo loaches, and a clown pleco. I'm finished stocking it with the addition of the gouramis.

 

[Nolapete]

It's probably that it is heavily planted as to why they appear shy. They are just enjoying the cover. They'll soon be the piglets of the tank, trust me. That's a nice stocking. They'll do well in there. I'll bet they soon become one of your most favorite fish.