I have a 20g community tank that I'm restocking (long story). It will have one pair of GBRs (one male, one female), four Sterbai Cory and maybe a few Hatchet Fish. I'm contemplating one Dwarf Gourami as well, but I am wondering how it would get along with the Rams. Anyone have any input or experience on this?
Rams and Dwarf Gouramis: compatibility?
- Thread starter msquared
- Start date
I have 3 dwarf gouramis in my 30G with a ram (yeah I know....got all 3 before I knew any better, they were the first fish I got....however I've had them for a year now and no real problems). They are totally fine together, the ram and gouramis more or less ignore each other. The funny part is the ram is definitely the 'boss' of the tank, even though she is about 1/3 the size of the gouramis. You shouldn't have a problem. I'd skip the hatchets if I were you, though, and get a school of tetras or something instead.
My own preference would be for four Rummynose Tetra, but it's not all my call (read my sig!). That said, the nice thing about Hatchets is that they would inhabit the surface strata. In a tank this size (pretty small), I think it's good to keep your stock as stratified as possible to give each of them room to roam. We'll see how that part goes.
Thanks for the input on DG compatibility!
They should be fine. The ram will stick mostly to the bottom while the gouramis will stick mostly to the top. I agree with ditching the hatchets. They will compete with the gourami for surface area, and you may have problems with that. Or I guess you could keep the hatchets but ditch the gourami. Although, I prefer gouramis to hatchets, lol.
Good luck!
Good luck!
i think it all depend on the size of the tank, ive had blue rams absolutly HATE gouramis in small tanks yet ive had them do fine in larger tanks. in a 20g a pair of rams can be pains. Hatchets get quite big for schooling fish in a 20g, smaller tetras would do nice. 
Sterbais also get quite big.
Sterbais also get quite big.
if possible don't add the gourami, but it really does depend on the personality of your rams...you can try it, but don't be surprised if it fails
Right now this gourami idea is on hold. The female ram is already getting pushy. If I move up to a larger tank at some point then I'll reconsider. Thanks to all for your input!