Beginner Question -Aggressive Gold Gourami
Katie Z
>community tank. I intend to put other fish in the tank such as Pearl
>and Dwarf Gourami, Neon's, and other community fish that I hope will
>co-habitate well.
>
>Should I keep my remaining Gold Gourami, or remove the fish from this
>aquarium. I am concerned about the fish attacking others. What to
>do?
>
>Chris
Chris:
Yes, gold gouramis can be aggressive. They are a color morph of the Blue
Gourami (trichogaster trichopterus), which is the most aggressive gourami
species. Blues and their color morphs (gold, lilac, opaline) can be kept in
groups of the same species if:
1. they are not overcrowded (a 29 gallon tank should hold, maximum, 4
gouramis of the blue species or their color morphs)
2. that in a tank smaller than 55 gallon there is not more than 1 male of
the same species, and
3.provided there is lots and LOTS of plant cover and caves.
Keeping them in pairs over long periods is not a good idea. Keeping a ratio
of 2 or 3 females to one male can work, provided there is lots of cover for
the females. When you have just a pair with not enough cover, the larger or
more dominant individual can bully the smaller to death, or in the case of a
male/female pair, the male can "drive" (chase) the female to death - in your
size tank you could have one male to a ratio of 3 females with lots of plant
cover. The number of females diverts the male's attention and plant cover
provides a refuge, as do caves. Size is also important - blue gouramis can
bully smaller fish, but usually are more apt to bully smaller individuals of
their own species, so, any gouramis kept together should be of similar size.
I would not put Pearl or Dwarf gouramis in with the Gold. Pearls are usually
too shy and retiring, and can be stressed by the boisterous, aggressive
nature of the blue gourami species. I would be careful with dwarfs also, as
they can be bullied by the larger blues and are more demanding with regard
to water quality and parameters. Dwarfs live the longest and healthiest
lives in species-only tanks with water parameters geared to their needs.
People are surprised at how delicate Dwarfs can be and their lives are often
too short-lived in community tanks.
Your Gold may do well with a pair of Moonlight gouramis, as Moonlights are
peaceful fish but have the ability to stand up for themselves when
necessary. My opaline male is the most aggressive (and huge) gourami I've
seen and the Moonlights co-habitate well with him. Other color morphs of the
blue may do well with your gold, provided there is only 1 male in your tank.
Smaller schooling fish are a toss up. Some blue gouramis don't mind or seem
to notice smaller schooling fish and only tend to target larger, territorial
fish in a community tank. However, it depends upon the fish - some blues
will go after smaller fish, period. Neons are so small, I wouldn't chance it
with the gold - I'd remove him to another tank or find a home for him if
your heart is set on the fish you mentioned - neons, Pearls, etc.
The neons would do well with the Pearls, but I wouldn't try Dwarfs in a
community setting unless you were willing to be very attentive to their
water parameters, and keep the tank lightly stocked with only peaceful,
non-aggressive, non-territorial, smaller fish (no serpae tetras, no barbs,
no rainbows, etc) Lots of plants are a necessity with neons and Pearls, as
they like to have a shaded, secluded place to rest, and make sure you have
more than 6 neons in the tank for the Neons to feel secure. Of the species
you mentioned, Neons are the most demanding as to water parameters, so you
will want to gear the tank to them. Pearl Gouramis are happy in the soft,
slightly acidic water preferred by Neons, so you are ok there.
Katie