Gallons for female paradise fish

[Krahs]

Hello everyone!
I'm a new entry in the hobby and I was wondering what do you think about the proper tank size for a single female of Macropodus opercularis.
I currently have her in a 20 gallon long, with 4 pangio and 4 female cherry barbs -there was also a male, but I can't find him today, I'm afraid that she killed him during the night. Her name's Connie Corleone and apparently she does not need help from Sonny-.

I also have a 11 gallon long that is fish-free, is it too small for her alone?

She's not arassing the females or the pangios, and even with the male barb I didn't notice nothing extreme, just regular "out of my way" things.
I'm not sure if it's a good idea replacing the male barb with another one, I'm afraid that he too will vanish...

 

[Hellfishguy]

If you haven’t seen a body it’s possible that the male cherry barb jumped out.

 

[Lakefish]

I think the 20 long is the place for her to be, she wouldn't have room to move around much in the 11. Also they are very intelligent fish, and will spend all day cruising slowly around inspecting the plants for things to eat (like bladder snails).
I've kept them with gold barbs before in a 25 gallon, no interaction really at all.

 

[Noroomforshoe]

Your initial question was "What size tank for a paradise gourami?

I would say a 40 gallon breed, or a 46 inch long tank is ideal for this active fish,
Kuhli loaches are better in a large school, I would suggest at least 9 or more. Same with the cherry barbs.

 

[Krahs]

If you haven’t seen a body it’s possible that the male cherry barb jumped out.

I've checked but found nothing on the floor, I think that all the others ate the remains

I think the 20 long is the place for her to be, she wouldn't have room to move around much in the 11. Also they are very intelligent fish, and will spend all day cruising slowly around inspecting the plants for things to eat (like bladder snails).
I've kept them with gold barbs before in a 25 gallon, no interaction really at all.

Thank you, I'll leave her there. And yes, she's really active and curious, afraid of nothing.
If she killed the male barb, could it be because he was the only one chasing the others (I understand it's breeding season), like he was too agitated and she didn't like all the shenaningans?
I really didn't notice aggressive behaviour, I was actually very happy about her calm demeanor..

Your initial question was "What size tank for a paradise gourami?
I would say a 40 gallon breed, or a 46 inch long tank is ideal for this active fish,
Kuhli loaches are better in a large school, I would suggest at least 9 or more. Same with the cherry barbs.

Thank you, I'm planning to move in the next months and I'll think about buying a bigger tank. My actual 20 long is 39 inches in lenght and it's a bit bigger than 20 gallons (sorry, I'm european, I'm not used to gallons and inches but I try).
Yes, I'll add some pangio and barbs soon (I buy little groups and quarantine them), but I'm really not sure if I should try with another male barb, maybe only females is better..

 

[Lakefish]

I doubt the gourami killed the barb, but who knows. It would just be an opportunistic act if so.

 

[Noroomforshoe]

I've checked but found nothing on the floor, I think that all the others ate the remains

Thank you, I'll leave her there. And yes, she's really active and curious, afraid of nothing.
If she killed the male barb, could it be because he was the only one chasing the others (I understand it's breeding season), like he was too agitated and she didn't like all the shenaningans?
I really didn't notice aggressive behaviour, I was actually very happy about her calm demeanor..

Thank you, I'm planning to move in the next months and I'll think about buying a bigger tank. My actual 20 long is 39 inches in lenght and it's a bit bigger than 20 gallons (sorry, I'm european, I'm not used to gallons and inches but I try).
Yes, I'll add some pangio and barbs soon (I buy little groups and quarantine them), but I'm really not sure if I should try with another male barb, maybe only females is better..

Thats great to hear, I think you will really love it when the fish are in larger schools!, They act so much more normal and fun!

Your barb could have died for many reasons, sometimes fish die and we never know why. There is no reason to blame the paradise fish. Not finding the body is normal, many fish will scavenge a dead fish, and the bacteria in the tank can get the leftovers very very quickly, Good luck!