Four months ago my boss gave me her old 20 gallon tank for my home office because she knew I wanted to upgrade my 1.5 gallon desk tank. It was a very nice gift and I've become a complete aqua-fanatic.
I have a planted tank (argentine swords, ferns, etc.) with ottos, gold barbs, and a kuhli loach along with two African dwarf frogs and assorted snails and shrimp.
I had my heart set on blue dwarf gouramis, but I could never find a good local source (they did not look healthy at all!). My choice was either to mail order or make a significant drive. After visiting my third local fish store and finding unhealthy dwarfs, I gave up and bought two female Three Spot gouramis, one larger than the other but both under 3" (heretofore named Big and Little respectively). I was thinking they would grow to 4" (not 6! Augh!) and would have similar temperaments like the dwarfs. Obviously, I was not thinking correctly!
Within two days of getting them, I noticed 'Big' was harassing the frogs, nipping at the other fish, and relentlessly chasing 'Little' to the point of Little having discoloration (red around fins!), torn fins, and great insecurity. I took Big out and put her into a tiny 1.5 gallon tank and ordered taller plants and a big piece of
driftwood. In the meantime, Little recovered nicely and lived with all other species very peacefully! After my new tank décor came, I rearranged the tank and put Big back in.
Now Little is in charge and will chase Big around. *But* she is not nearly as aggressive and doesn't cause the physical harm Big did. Big spends her day on whatever side of the tank Little is not and no longer harasses the other species. There is enough foliage /décor where they can swim without always seeing each other.
So for now, my tank is relatively peaceful.
I have since found two fish stores - that are although quite a drive - seem to have a healthy stock of everything, including the dwarfs I have always wanted.
I asked the employee of one of those fish store's yesterday about getting more fish -specifically gouramis - with my situation. She said that more gouramis - of any kind - would help to keep the peace because the hierarchy would be spread out through a wider range of fish. She recommended honey gouramis. I am nervous to follow this through without more research - not realizing some gouramis are a lot different than others got me into this mess in the first place!
So to sum up this long story - will the peace in my tank last if I get other fish (I know you can't count on individual temperaments)? And would more gouramis help or hurt? Should I get M/F pairs? Should I give up on my dwarf dream fish as long as I have the 3 spots?
I need advice from some seasoned minds! I felt yesterday that she was too eager to sell me something (that could just be me) and I don't know what to do next. Each employee at each fish store had different advice for me and its all very jumbled and conflicted!
Help!
Similar Aquarium Fish Forum Threads 
