ooibhuskyoo

Hey Guys,

I am planning on getting some Dwarf Gouramis, and I hear they might get a little more aggressive towards other Dwarf Gouramis. SOOOO I REALLY like the way the Power Blue and Flame Red Gouramis look and I want to get 2-3 of each. Here are my questions:

1) Will they fight each other if they are different colors?

2) I have 10 Zebra Danios, 1 Rainbow Shark, and about to get 6 Kuhli Loaches. Will I overstock?

3) If I'm not overstocked physically, how's my bioload looking?

Thanks,
Calvin

aquarist48

Good morning. I have heard of Gouramis fighting when more than 1 is in the same tank. (I don't have first hand knowledge on this). I don't know that the difference in color will help matters any and doubt that it will. They are beautiful fish I agree. I suggest going to the top of this screen and doing a search for Dwarf Gouramis if you haven't already.

The Rainbow Shark may not be too happy if you add more bottom dwellers like the Kuhli Loaches. Rainbow Sharks are very territorial. If you do add the loaches make sure they have plenty of hiding places.

I'm afraid you're going to be over stocked if you add everything you mentioned above.

harpua2002

Powder blue and red flame gouramis are color variants of the same species, colisa lalia. Males will fight with each other most likely.

Shawnie

females are just as nawty .....what size tank is this? 4-6 DG's , no matter what color, should be in a 75 gal or larger so there wont be any injuries or death ..especially with the fish already existing

Phinny12

Weather you are overstocked depends on what size your tank is. How many gallons is it?

ooibhuskyoo

My tank is 40 us gallons. Im thinking 4-6 might be too much. How would 2-4 do?

Shawnie

40 gal deffinately wouldnt accomodate that many ...with the other fish you already have, 2 would be the max id take a chance on...

ooibhuskyoo

Thanks shawnie. Will i be ok with one of each color?

Amanda

I had 2 males in a 55 gal. and one killed the other. I would only keep one per tank, IMO.

harpua2002

If you want more than one gourami, look into pearl gouramis (trichogaster leeri). You can keep a trio of 1M/2F easily in a 40 gallon and they are much more peaceful with conspecifics than DGs. They normally don't look too attractive at the LFS, but when you get them home they color up beautifully.

Shawnie

3 pearl gourami's , with already 10 danios, a rainbow shark and 6 kuhli's, IMO would be asking for trouble

harpua2002

Hmmm.... that tank wouldn't seem too heavily stocked to me for a 40 gallon. The pearls max out at around 4 inches, the danios and kuhlis contribute a small bioload, and the rainbow shark IME is likely to keep to itself as long as it isn't kept with fish that resemble it in appearance. Just my opinion.

LilMan

Not to hijack the thread but,

Does a flame gourami grow about the same size as a normal DG?

AlyeskaGirl

It is a DG....there's just different colors and they have specific names other then a DG.

Shawnie

I agree bioload wise its fine..but territorial might be an issue

ooibhuskyoo

Thanks for all the info guys! I really need to know a "for sure" answer with either the Pearls or the DG's because I don't want to abuse the fish or my bioload either...

Thanks,
Calvin

ABCDemily

DG's will generally fight, even if they are the same colour, it will still register it as something it doesn't want there.
And two DG's are still pushing it, maybe if you had a 75 gal you might get away with them not killing each other.

ooibhuskyoo

I don't get it because my LFS stocks there DG's in 40 gallon tanks, and they chill with each other without being aggressive. Actually most of the DG's there just try to leave each other alone

prairielilly

You will see it like that in any lfs - they do that to conserve their resources, not for the health of the fish - it is definitely NOT in the best interests of the fish. The fish don't fight in that situation bc they're way too crowded to stake out territories; they're not really 'chilling', more just doing nothing, including not exhibiting their 'normal' behaviour. It's a completely different story at your home in your tank, where the DG's will stake a territory and defend it. Some people have kept multiple gouramis together peacefully, but as a general rule it's not recommended due to the general aggressiveness of the fish.

Butterfly

Many times LFS over stock their tanks and things are fine. But the reason their fine is because it isn't a permanent situation. Fish are constantly leaving and more put in. They don't have time to form territories. On the other hand in your tank they will be there 24/7 with the same fish in the same tank and be picking/choosing/fighting over territories. You can't go by how the LFS has their tanks stocked. If there have been any fights the dead ones have been removed. Just my
Carol

Shawnie

+2 ... not to mention we know how MOST LFS adore their fish and their living situations