10 gallon stocking - Dwarf Gourami, yes or no?

[airdog44]

I have been researching this and have seen conflicting answers to this question. Some say dwarf gouramis will do fine in a 10-gallon, and others say it is too small. Now, obviously, the bigger the tank the better but a 10-gallon is the best I can do. All my levels are great, and he would have the tank all to himself. I have plastic plants and some wood/rocks in the tank. I understand if it is too small but I would just like to know if I could make it work.

 

[AP1]

Are you planning on tank mates? Or just the dwarf gourami?

 

[airdog44]

Are you planning on tank mates? Or just the dwarf gourami?

Just the dwarf gourami, no tankmates. I have ember tetras but I was planning on selling them because I read dwarf gouramis can be semi-aggressive

 

[Sewerrat]

Tank size would work

 

[Fishnturtleguy933]

Alone it will do fine but, these little buggars can get nasty towards others without ample space and sightline breaks. Had one in a 50 gallon that tormented everything in the tank with it.

 

[Hellfishguy]

Use a lot of floating plants and a filter with low flow.The fish will be more comfortable and may live a lot longer than specimens kept in crowded, sparsely planted community tanks.

 

[AP1]

Just the dwarf gourami, no tankmates. I have ember tetras but I was planning on selling them because I read dwarf gouramis can be semi-aggressive

Yea, I kept a dwarf with neons in a 10 a long time ago and neons went missing. Good idea to remove the embers.

I'm not sure that a 10 is ideal for a dwarf (any chance honey gouramis or sparkling gouramis appeal just as much to you?) but I also don't think it is wholly unreasonable.

 

[GouramiGirl100]

If you just have one and make sure the tank is heavily planted it should do fine. Also should do fine with other fish as gouramis usually are only intraspecies aggressive but of course any fish can nip and act aggressively towards smaller species if they feel like they don’t have enough territory of their own- hence plants

 

[jinjerJOSH22]

Also should do fine with other fish as gouramis usually are only intraspecies aggressive but of course any fish can nip and act aggressively towards smaller species if they feel like they don’t have enough territory of their own- hence plants

I wouldn't say this personally. For sure space plays apart but I've had plenty of experience with various Gourami not taking to tankmates and eventually killing them, some faster than others. There is also a period of time when they become very aggressive and that is when males defend a bubble nest.
There has been lots of stories here on the forum of Dwarf Gourami killing tankmates in 10 gallons, it's just not enough space for a Dwarf Gourami + tankmate in my experience.

 

[KingOscar]

I've been keeping a solo Paradise Gourami on its own in a 10 for 6 months now. It's doing quite fine.

 

[airdog44]

Thank you all so much for the responses! It will definitely be alone if I do get one