zambize

An Ich disaster cleared most of my fish from my main, 37 gallon tank so I'm starting over with the stocking and with different fish. I have a Dwarf Neon Blue Gourami, Tommy, that I've had for a couple of months. He's made his way from the quarantine tank to my main, 37 gallon tank. I have waiting in the quarantine tank 1 Red-Tailed Shark and 5 Leopard Cory Cats. (I'm moving the shark last)

I had planned on having these fish and adding about 3 more Dwarfs, but I'm reading information that says maybe it's best to have a single Dwarf. I prefer to avoid having one of this, two of that, one of those, etc., because I think it is much more visually appealing, and better for most fish, to have fewer different species, but increased numbers within the species.

I'd like to hear anyone's experience or opinion regarding having:

4 Dwarfs
5 Leopard Cory Cats
1 Red-Tailed Sharks

Or...should I just stick with Tommy and add 3-4 of some other species? I'd really like to keep this tank as peaceful as possible.

Thanks for your time!
Zambize

sirdarksol

I would not purchase any more dwarf gourami until this iridovirus thing gets cleared up. If you choose to get more dwarves, I would suggest putting a lot of plants (either real or fake) in the tank to break it up. Multiple dwarves can get cranky with each other. Then, put the rest of the stock in the tank and wait until Singapore fixes the iridovirus problem.

You're already quarantining your fish (at least one month, I would suggest. More is better), so that's excellent.

Be very careful with the water parameters when you add the cories and then the shark. Cories need stable water parameters and should normally be the last things to go in the tank, about a month after it's been established.

Lastly, one possibility that I can think of is, instead of 3 more dwarves, you could put six neon tetras, black neon tetras, or cardinal tetras in the tank. That way, you'd have your group of bottom feeders, and you'd have your middle-of-the-tank showfish (the gourami), and then you'd have other fish to kind of fill in the scenery.

Barbrella

Make sure you give the shark - which is a semi-aggressive species - a cave at a far end of the tank, so he can have his territory and won't be attacking or constantly harassing the other fish.

That should help keep things peaceful!

zambize

I've got my tank densely planted and I have many pieces of driftwood stacked randomly that provide tons of cubby holes, and I have a flagstone cave for whomever claims it first. Probably the shark, since it's on the bottom. Oh, and a good sized floater covering about 1/3 of the top. The water parameters have been stable for quite some time.

I've had tetras before and haven't had much success with them. Also, I'm looking for something other than small schooling fish. The shark will be the centerpiece fish, but I'd like a few other fish (of the same species) that still have personality but different than the shark. Tommy the Gourami has been perfect. A few like him, who would get along, would be perfect as a compliment to the shark due to their size, shape, color, personality, and tank strata. Do you think the dwarves would still grumble if it were Tommy and 3 female dwarves? After having Tommy, I've fallen in love with dwarves, but I sure don't want to make Tommy or any other dwarf miserable.

I didn't know about the iridovirus.

Thank you both for your time!

Zambize

Barbrella

I know what you mean!

You could put another male dwarf gourami if you like as long as you quarantine him for sufficient time to make sure he's healthy and around the same size as the one you already have.

What else you can add to the tank is a bit limited by the shark. Usually I would say that Tiger Barbs are good tankmates for sharks, but you don't want them in with your dwarf gourami.

Have you thought about Rosy Barbs? Very pretty, peaceful, and active enough to keep clear of the shark.

zambize

Barbrella,

You've had success with two male dwarves? I had heard that they would fight?

Thanks...
Zambize

Alessa

I know you were talking to barbella but....

I "had" success with two dwarves in a 28 gal... they would be territorial but usually got out the way of each other... nothing out of control (have to say my guppies are way more agressive) the problem with the gouramis right now is not their number, the problem is that there is a horrible virus called iridovirus which is spreading quickly... if you have a healthy DG you risk introducing a new one with a horrible virus that can kill both of them...

this virus is a monster. You have a perfectly healthy gourami for weeks or months and then in 24/48 hours... dead gourami for no apparent reason...

this disease is VERY contagious and i would highly recommed you not getting another gourami untill that disease thing is finally cleared up. I know how gouramis are, they are increadibly beautiful, smart, and adorable... I really suffered seeing them die without me being able to do anything about it. Please dont risk your potentially healthy boy...

Gouramis are awesome!!!! I hope this iridovirus thing will be finally over soon...

joy613

I would go with the single gourami as the center of attention and get either some green barbs I saw some at the LFS and thought they were beautiful or maybe some white clouds.

zambize

My problem with barbs, tetras and other fish like that is that they are identical looking, can't tell them apart, and they don't seem to have much personality. I had a school of Zebra Danios and a school of Cardinals, at different times, and although the Cardinals were striking in appearance, they just weren't very interesting. Tommy the Gourami, as you know, is quite a character and my Red-Tailed Black Shark is also a character. Even my Leopard Cories, although a group, are full of personality and I can sit and just watch them for an hour. I haven't had barbs though...are they like other fish who travel in groups who sometimes lack in personality?

I've read that a green or tiger barb can hold their own with a Red-Tailed Black Shark. I've also read several personal accounts from people who have had an RTBS and they found that once the RTBS encountered a fish that wouldn't take any crap, the RTBS didn't bother them anymore. My RTBS is also young, about an inch, and even the Cories can intimidate him. I've heard that RTBS can change when older, but I've also heard that if they are raised as low man on the totem pole they will just protect their own space and not venture out to cause havoc all over.

I'm also prepared to move the shark if necessary. I would never let the rest of the tank residents suffer or live in fear hiding all the time. (And he better *not* bother Tommy.) I can see it now, my RTBS becomes a jerk and I have to spend $500 on a new setup to house a cantankerous $4 fish. LOL

Zambize

Barbrella

RTBS do best with other semi-aggressive fish like Tiger barbs. The shark's aggression and territoriality will increase as he grows and matures. Smaller and slower fish may be harassed relentlessly. That's their nature and it can't be changed. IF given proper tankmates, a big tank and a cave of some sort at one far end of the tank, a shark should be okay, just flying out to chase off anyone who gets too close.

Tiger barbs should be kept in a school of at least 6, which helps prevent them from both picking on other fish and turning on each other.

To me, they are all very different looking, especially barbs.

zambize

Thanks Barbrella,

I appreciate the information about the shark's nature as well as the Tiger Barbs. I've never had either one so they're new to me. Unfortunately my 37 gallon tank is probably too small to add 6 Tiger Barbs. They do look nice, but I've already got 5 Cories that will grow to a max of 2 inches each and the shark could reach 6". Someone told me that they have a 7.5" inch Red-Tailed Black Shark.

Although I'm always prepared to immediately move a fish, it sounds like I shouldn't put anything else in the tank. It sounds like the shark could later turn on a tank mate without any warning signs. The 5 Cory and 1 shark isn't a lot of fish, but it sounds like the shark will need more room than other 6" fish. What do you think? I don't know why I'm drawn to this cranky fish. I've always been fascinated by oceanic sharks. Maybe that's why.

Sadly, my sweet Tommy the Gourami was suffering terribly this morning so I euthanized him to ease him out his suffering. Although the euthanasia is quick, it's gentle. He peacefully went to sleep.

Thanks so much
Zambize