Mystic54

I currently have a 20 gallon tank with 5 platies, 4 danio's, and 1 golden mystery snail. I would like to add a dwarf gourami but I have heard that the males can be territorial towards each other and even end up killing one another. I was planning on getting 2 this upcoming sunday but now I will probably just get one. My question is if I get 2 different color gourami's will they still be territorial towards each other? or should I just stick with one?

Shawnie

Hi mystic ....You dont have any more room for a gourami all can be territorial and with the fish you already have in there, he wont have a place to call his own and may kill other fish or stress himself to death

Mystic54

Aw man, that stinks. Well, what do you suggest that I could get for my tank? I was originally going to get a couple kuhli loaches but decided against it since my fish seem all like bottom dwellers and I wanted a few fish that were going to hang out at the top of the tank instead of the bottom.

Shawnie

I know its not fun when we cant get something we really want you are pretty maxed out for a 20 gal as they are more tough to keep the parimeters on track...if you do extra water changes, maybe a couple guppies? you dont really have room for anymore schooling type of fish ....can always get a bigger tank

Mystic54

Well thanks for the info Shawnie! I think I might just stick with the fish I have or maybe just browse on here for fish that can be kept by themselves on in pairs. I wish I could get a bigger tank but sadly I don't have the money for that right now

Lucy

Check Craig's List, you can usually get a good bargain or Freecyle.org. in your area.

Mystic54

I've been like stalking craigslist for the last few months LOL
Okay now I know this sounds like a long shot, but I know my boyfriend has been dying to know if these fish are compatible or not. What about adding 1 red tailed shark or 1 rainbow shark?

Shawnie

not enough room with the fish you have they are more territorial than gourami's ... what part of maryland..we love to help MTS

Lucy

Not in the size tank you have now, sorry. Both can grow up to 6"
The rainbow can get aggressive with smaller fish with a minimum recommended tank size of 55g's and red tails aren't recommended for community tanks.
I know what you're feeling. I started out with a 10g with dreams of all these pretty fish until I did some research and found out a 10g just can't hold that many fish.

Mystic54

I thought so, I've done my research on them on the net but I just wanted to confirm it with someone who has first hand experience with that type of fish. Thank you both!

And Lucy, I originally started out with a 10 gallon tank with just my 5 platies. Then I wanted to get a bigger tank so I just got a 20 gallon because if I went any higher I would have to buy alot of new extras. And now the 20 gallon is just seeming to small. I can't win! I think the next time I upgrade I will go for a 40 or 55 gallon tank so I can hopefully be completely satisfied lol.