Sunset thick lip gourami a good idea?

Hi everyone, I'm looking at potentially getting some sunset thick lip gourami but I'm not sure what they will be like in a community setting or indeed for my tank size because the information I have found so far is conflicting. The tank is a 105 litre (20 imperial gallons). 75cm long 35cm wide and 40cm high. Tank mates will be corydoras catfish and possibly a shoaling fish such as black neons.

Any thoughts or experience welcome

 

I love having 1 thick lip sunset gourami in my 20 gal high community! I used to have 1 male and 1 female but the male constantly chased the female even though there were lots of hiding places and the decor broke up line of sight. I rehomed the male and love my female. I've trained her to eat from my fingers. Both of them completely ignored my cherry barbs and julii cories do I think you should be fine with your planned stocking. If you get more than 1 gourami, consider getting 2 females or having a backup plan if you gets any males and have aggression.

 

I love having 1 thick lip sunset gourami in my 20 gal high community! I used to have 1 male and 1 female but the male constantly chased the female even though there were lots of hiding places and the decor broke up line of sight. I rehomed the male and love my female. I've trained her to eat from my fingers. Both of them completely ignored my cherry barbs and julii cories do I think you should be fine with your planned stocking. If you get more than 1 gourami, consider getting 2 females or having a backup plan if you gets any males and have aggression.

Thank you, that is reassuring. This will be my second tank. I already have a 120 litre/ 25 (imp) gal with sterbai Cories and harlequin rasbora so If I do have to split them up one could always go in that tank. Or perhaps I might even just get one.

 

I've heard of other people who have had great luck with 1 m/1f or a trio of 1m/2f but it didn't work for me. They are pretty and leave other species alone so I think they make good centerpieces for tanks around that size. Good luck and let us know how it works out for you!

 

I recently picked up what I initially thought were 3 honey gouramis and ended up with 2 honeys and 1 sunset thicklip. Definitely get a thicklip. Ours happens to be the sweetest of the three of them! She (fairly certain she's a she, with her rounded fins) always swims to the front to greet me whenever I come by and beg for food. Super friendly, super docile, isn't bothered at all by anyone else in the community tank. You'll love them.

 

Not great pictures I know but just got home with these two. Hopefully a girl and a boy but I think we won't know till they get a bit bigger. I'm fairly sure these are thick-lip babies although sold under red Honey.

 

Not great pictures I know but just got home with these two. Hopefully a girl and a boy but I think we won't know till they get a bit bigger. I'm fairly sure these are thick-lip babies although sold under red Honey.

Adorable!! I’d love some clearer pics once they’re out of the bag, to compare to mine. I think I have a female because she’s so mellow and loves food, but I’m not sure if she’s too young to exhibit an extended dorsal fin yet.

 

I have 6 honeys in a 20H right now and they are doing wonderful. I think you'll be okay with one thick lipped gourami

 

Adorable!! I’d love some clearer pics once they’re out of the bag, to compare to mine. I think I have a female because she’s so mellow and loves food, but I’m not sure if she’s too young to exhibit an extended dorsal fin yet.

Aww she's stunning! I'll try and get some better pictures when they've settled in and the light is back on. I would say yours is a girl though given her dorsal is pretty rounded although I guess it's possible it could develop further into a point.

 

Aww she's stunning! I'll try and get some better pictures when they've settled in and the light is back on. I would say yours is a girl though given her dorsal is pretty rounded although I guess it's possible it could develop further into a point.

Yes, I definitely agree. And give it a couple of weeks, your thicklips will beg for food and happily approach your fingers to eat soon enough. Enjoy!

 

They are so shy I have only managed to get photos of the more adventurous one so far.