Is it possible to house a male dwarf gourami with a blue acara?

I had a 29 gallon tank that I recently upgraded to a 55 gallon. I have 16 neon tetras, 2 platies, & 1 male dwarf gourami. I want to stock the tank more & I was looking at videos & things about 55 gallon stocking & came across blue acaras. Would one or a pair be okay in my tank? I’m willing to rehome the tetras, but I love my gourami & he loves me lol. Would they be compatible or would they fight all the time? Thanks!

 

I think you could pull off one. A pair would possibly get aggressive if they decided to breed. It does depend on individual fish, though. Some blue acaras can be territorial to small fish like a dwarf gourami, and some can just chill with them. Also depends on the gourami. Some dwarfs are tiny jerks and want nothing more than to attack anything that moves, including bigger fish. It could nip the fins on an acara. It would be risky, but it could work out in the end.

 

Do you mean a true blue acara, or an electric blue acara?

True blue acaras are more aggressive, so I'd say no. Electric blue tend to be more passive, so you could certainly give it a go. I wouldn't recommend a pair; but I never would because I dont want to deal with the increased aggression that comes with breeding. While they are known for being a peaceful cichlid, they are still cichlids. So there is a possibility that you will get a semi-aggressive EBA (mine is semi-aggressive). You wont know until you try.

The EBA will eat your neons as it grows, though.

 

Always have a plan B.

 

I think you could pull off one. A pair would possibly get aggressive if they decided to breed. It does depend on individual fish, though. Some blue acaras can be territorial to small fish like a dwarf gourami, and some can just chill with them. Also depends on the gourami. Some dwarfs are tiny jerks and want nothing more than to attack anything that moves, including bigger fish. It could nip the fins on an acara. It would be risky, but it could work out in the end.

Thanks! I might try one acara. My gourami is pretty peaceful, he doesn’t bother the tetras or the platys. Thanks for the advice!

Do you mean a true blue acara, or an electric blue acara?

True blue acaras are more aggressive, so I'd say no. Electric blue tend to be more passive, so you could certainly give it a go. I wouldn't recommend a pair; but I never would because I dont want to deal with the increased aggression that comes with breeding. While they are known for being a peaceful cichlid, they are still cichlids. So there is a possibility that you will get a semi-aggressive EBA (mine is semi-aggressive). You wont know until you try.

The EBA will eat your neons as it grows, though.

I was thinking an electric blue acara. & yes if i do get one I will rehome the neons ASAP. Thanks!

Always have a plan B.

Absolutely

 

I think you could pull off one. A pair would possibly get aggressive if they decided to breed. It does depend on individual fish, though. Some blue acaras can be territorial to small fish like a dwarf gourami, and some can just chill with them. Also depends on the gourami. Some dwarfs are tiny jerks and want nothing more than to attack anything that moves, including bigger fish. It could nip the fins on an acara. It would be risky, but it could work out in the end.

Do you possibly know where I could buy an EBA? Either online or in a store.

Do you mean a true blue acara, or an electric blue acara?

True blue acaras are more aggressive, so I'd say no. Electric blue tend to be more passive, so you could certainly give it a go. I wouldn't recommend a pair; but I never would because I dont want to deal with the increased aggression that comes with breeding. While they are known for being a peaceful cichlid, they are still cichlids. So there is a possibility that you will get a semi-aggressive EBA (mine is semi-aggressive). You wont know until you try.

The EBA will eat your neons as it grows, though.

Should I get a male or a female? Would getting a male mean the gourami and acara are more likely to fight? Or does it not matter?