questions about dwarf gouramis

[swordtailraiser]

i just got a 35 gallon tank. and i was wondering how big do dwarf gouramis get?also, what types of small pretty colored fish can go along with them?i never owned one before so i was just wondering.

 

[Shaunna]

Dwarf Gouramis would be fine in a 35g tank. They make excellent community fish and any other community fish would go great with them.

 

[bandito41]

Dwarf should give you the hint that they stay small. They grow to a maximum length of 2 1/3 inches. I would reccommend some colorful guppies,or tetras to go with them. Dwarf goramis would go well with most fish.

 

[swordtailraiser]

also, how can u tell the difference between male and female?

 

[Shaunna]

The anal fin in males is straight and it is more rounded in the females.

 

[geekrockgirl85]

female gouramis also have less color compared to the males as well... a lot of stores don't carry females because they aren't as "pretty".

 

[Viciente]

You are going to have to be sure that if you get males, then you have enough space for them to establish territories or you have a few of them so that a hirarchy is established and not territories. They also like to have hiding spots for them when they become scared. They the biggest wussies. My girlfriend has two of them in her tank. The other fish are so used to water changes that it doesn't even phase them. The gouramis however are swimming to find cover.

 

[geekrockgirl85]

They are the biggest wussies.

LOL... it couldn't be more true. my neon dwarf freaks out whenever i do water changes, when i try adding a new plant, when my female betta is in a sassy mood, when i put my finger in the tank to let them nibble on it, when someone puts their face too close to the glass, when the light timer clicks on, when i open the versa-top to feed everyone, when i make sure shrimp pellets are sinking...

*laughingc

 

[Shaunna]

Aww, Henry must have been a brave little feller then because he always came right up to the top of the tank when I would come around..... I miss my little Henry!!

 

[cybersymes]

i've just had a very bad experiance with dwarf gouramis...
i bought 3 without checking them out on the 'net...
as the 'person' in the lfs said no worries...

i now have a close to death betta...i'm totally... !!!

words cannot express my emotions right now...
[not words i can use here anyway]...

i'm really...really annoyed that the lfs said it was ok...
this could have been avoided...

i'm now taking the offending gourami back...
and one of his 'chums' who he also bullies...

i will have only one in the tank...
hopefully the remaining specimen will be chilled...

from this experience i would not call dwarf gouramis community fish...
[maybe in a bigger tank...or possibly just a solo]...

as for my betta...he's in my fry tank...
i might have to put him out of his misery...
as he's in real bad shape...

i knew someday fish would die...
but this was avoidable...
i'm just madd and sadd in equal measure...

lesson learned...always research new fish...
and don't believe everything you hear...
for me anyway...dwarf gouramis are not friendly fish...

 

[Seleya]

So sorry, Cyber. Gouramies and bettas rarely if ever mix at all -- they're both anabantoids and tend to mix like fire and petrol. Dwarfs are usually better temperamentally than three spots or other larger gouramies but, imo, they're all punks. Hopefully, your little guy will make it. Is he roughed up or do you see actual injuries? Keep the water in the fry tank very clean and you may want to add a little Melafix (go easy on the dose -- maybe 1/2 the recommended)

 

[cybersymes]

So sorry, Cyber. Gouramies and bettas rarely if ever mix at all -- they're both anabantoids and tend to mix like fire and petrol. Dwarfs are usually better temperamentally than three spots or other larger gouramies but, imo, they're all punks. Hopefully, your little guy will make it. Is he roughed up or do you see actual injuries? Keep the water in the fry tank very clean and you may want to add a little Melafix (go easy on the dose -- maybe 1/2 the recommended)

cheers seelie...
he is indeed roughed up...
the only visible signs are slightly tattered front fins...
and he has lost a scale on his side...

i just can't believe the lfs said it was ok...
just for the sake of a sale i guess...
or ignorance maybe...

i'll try the melafix...
thanks for the advice...

 

[swordtailraiser]

im so srry about ur betta.i know now not to put a betta in with dwarf gouramis.

 

[cybersymes]

im so srry about ur betta.i know now not to put a betta in with dwarf gouramis.

cheers...
it's all about experience i guess ...

 

[cybersymes]

the dwarf gouramis are going back to the lfs today...
it's been a horrible experience altogether...
i could KILL the person in the shop...
who said it would all be ok...

i know it's my fault for not researching properly...
but i'm soooooooo angry...
as the whole episode could have been avoided...

a character building trial and a lesson learned...
one of the hardest in recent years...
all for a fish who cost £3.50 ...

nuthin' to do with money is it...
nuthin' at all...

not with a character like 'dago red' in your tank...

 

[cybersymes]

dwarf gouramis are now gone...i returned all 3 for credit...

spoke to another person at the lfs...
and she was saddened and suprised by the attack...
she said that she would have recommended the gouramis too...
maybe i just got a rogue one...

ah well...things just happen sometimes...
looks like the end is near for poor dago red...