are these fish ok together?

[jordonsmum]

Hey guys, gals

When I purchased some fish to cycle my tank, I bought two honey dwarf gouramy's. They're about the size of a dime. The aquarium guy at the store that I purchased them from said they weren't agressive like other gouramy (not sure if i'm spelling that right). Anyway, they're very peaceful in my tank with other tropical fish like a molly and swordtails. They actually seem to be afraid of their own shadows. A few fish people I know freaked out when I told them what was in the tank and they told me that the honey dwarf gouramy's were going to kill everything when they grow up. Can someone add some input? I don't have any experience with these little guys but they seem so passive.......
Thanks

[blainep]

I've had Dwarf Gouramis in my community tank for about a year, no problems yet.

[Melody]

Methinks your freakers have taken a little knowledge and ran with it;) . Some Gourami get huge and any fish that can fit into another fish's mouth is fair game. Gourami can also be aggressive with the same sex... just the males I think. That would be about the only prob if you have two males. I'm no Gourami Expert, but I don't think you're going to wake up to a masacre. In fact, Mr. CACAdmin keeps three adult Gourami with his Livebearers, including fry.

Kudos for checking!

[CACAdmin]

I've only started keeping gouramis, but as Melody says I have 3 adults (5 in.) which I keep in my 70G tank with all my livebearers and fry. Mine have shown absolutely no interest in any of the other fish... not even the fry. I have 2 females and one male and they tend to be quiet giants. Now, I'm sure if they didn't get fed for a while, they would probably resort to seeking food elsewhere (including the fry).

Now other than these I don't have any other experience with gouramis so I can't say for sure if all will be ok with yours... but most likely.

[jordonsmum]

Thanks guys/ gals that's all great info. I've never had them before. I just got them with a group of fish as "Cycle fish" because they were cute. It was pet shop people that asked me what the heck I was doing (not the same shop as who sold them to me of course...) I figured since they were "experts" my gouramis would grow up to be some holy terrors or something. Thanks as always!

[Melody]

Well at least they're trying to warn people, but they've gone a bit too far in the other direction in this case I think...lol.

[fishenthusiast]

Perhaps your fish store was thinking of the powder blue dwarf gourami. They can be quite mean little fish. Gourami's are also related to bettas so perhaps they were thinking because they are related their temperments are the same.

I did a little reading on the honey dwarf gourami and by all accounts they are a peaceful fish. I have not kept them myself, but it appears that you shouldn't have a problem keeping them with your livebearers.

[jordonsmum]

Anyone know what they like to eat. They haven't taken much interest in most things i've been feeding the tank... (brine shrimp, blood worms and crisps)

[Melody]

Perhaps your fish store was thinking of the powder blue dwarf gourami. They can be quite mean little fish. Gourami's are also related to bettas so perhaps they were thinking because they are related their temperments are the same.

I did a little reading on the honey dwarf gourami and by all accounts they are a peaceful fish. I have not kept them myself, but it appears that you shouldn't have a problem keeping them with your livebearers.

That's good to know about the Blues. I thought the dwarf varieties were all about the same in temperament. I don't want to add to the misleading information out there so I'm glad you mentioned it:smile: .

[CACAdmin]

Anyone know what they like to eat. They haven't taken much interest in most things i've been feeding the tank... (brine shrimp, blood worms and crisps)

I don't know how much the various gouramis differ in food preferences but mine quite happily eat all of the above (well I feed flakes rather than crisps but that doesn't matter).

My gouramis took a few days before the would come out to eat. They too were scared of their own shadows (well maybe just scared of the rest of the fish in the tank... and of me of course ).

It was a week before they would actually come out of hiding at feeding time and then it was only if I would stand motionless in front of the tank for a few minutes before feeding. Now (6 weeks later) they eagerly greet me when I approach the tank looking for food (However. they are still shy of other people and are easily startled.)

[jordonsmum]

All very helpful info... thanks to all! :yes: