Trying to get 2 female and 1 male Pearl Gourami trio

I’ve been trying to get Pearl Gouramis for months and they have proven to be difficult. I have found them online on Aquabid and Manzanita driftwood but neither place sexes them, or have indicated they are too immature to sex. I’m trying to get 2 females and 1 male.
Finally yesterday one of my LFS was able to get them, but they told me they are all males. So my question is, should I buy just one from the LFS and try to get females later? Or order a trio online and take my chances? Is it guaranteed bloodshed if 2 males end up in the same tank? The tank is a heavily planted 40b with lots of hiding places/line of sight breaks. Tankmates are a school of harlequins and a pair of Bolivian Rams.

 

Mmmmm personally I'd get fish about the same age and put them in together so they also can adapt to their new surroundings together. They'll support each other so their bond will be established from the start. In case of a single male first he might see his new company as intruders and certainly if they are younger.

 

Thank you for the response. I was thinking that may be the case with adding fish later.

I’m just conflicted if maybe I should buy all 3 at the LFS hoping a couple are females. If all 3 end up being males or 2 m 1 f is that an automatic re home or is there a chance that could work out?

 

Thank you for the response. I was thinking that may be the case with adding fish later.

I’m just conflicted if maybe I should buy all 3 at the LFS hoping a couple are females. If all 3 end up being males or 2 m 1 f is that an automatic re home or is there a chance that could work out?

Let me tell you what I think is strange.
Juvenile Pearls all look like females and when they mature they show their malehood. Your LFS seems to have all males. Those don't "change" in females when they grow up. So it is the other way around. So your LFS makes a mistake or they've got older matured males which won't never appear to be females.

 

So I ended up driving down there today, and sure enough they are all juveniles so it’s hard to tell. I’m no expert but I’m guessing they are too young to sex, they are only about 1” or 1.5” long. So I bought my trio and I’m hoping for the best. Thanks again for the help

 

So I ended up driving down there today, and sure enough they are all juveniles so it’s hard to tell. I’m no expert but I’m guessing they are too young to sex, they are only about 1” or 1.5” long. So I bought my trio and I’m hoping for the best. Thanks again for the help

No pics no proof hahahaha.
Then they can't say they're all males.

 

No pics no proof hahahaha.
Then they can't say they're all males.

Haha good pics coming...I’ll post one now but the tank is dark and they’re acclimating in the bag :/ I thought it was odd they told me they are all males

 

Ok here’s some pics. They swim around like they own the tank lol. The Bolivians are definitely a bit defensive of their space, the Gouramis are playing with fire swimming to the bottom haha

 

Ahhh super.

Not sure, but you could have got the right trio.

 

Ahhh super.

Not sure, but you could have got the right trio.

That would be fantastic. Time will tell