kissing gouramis

can a kissing gourami be kept with a community? (peaceful) -tl

 

They should be okay with larger community fish, HOWEVER, kissing gouramis get around 10" which means they need a rather large tank (at least 30 gallons/fish).

-Chelle

 

it would be in a 35 with a few others, are they ok alone? or do they need pairs. -tl

 

I would get a pair

 

It's not a good idea to get 2 males because the "kissing" is actually fighting and there's really no way to tell the difference between males & female. So if you wanted to keep more than one, you'd probably have to keep at least 3 or 4 to help distribute aggression. And for that you'd need around a 90 gallon tank.

What fish are currently in the 35?

-Chelle

 

what are some good tank mates for kissing gouramis?

 

in my 35 i am thinking about putting in my kissing gourami 1 inch right now my 2 blue gouramis 1 inch each and maybe giant danios or paradisefish? or other gouramis? what do you think? -tl

 

Eventually that will be too many fish. 30 gallons is the bare minimum for a single kissing gourami (ie bigger is MUCH better). And you have to be really careful about keeping several gouramis together because they can be aggressive. Personally, I would only keep the kissing gourami and maybe a medium sized bottom feeder like a pictus cat or bristle nost pleco (something that gets between 4" - 6").

-Chelle

 

I am gonig to set up a 55 gallon to take my 35 gallons place. My parents surprised me and purchased it for me so the kissing gourami and a few others will have a little more room. -tl

 

In terms of bioload & swimming space, a 55 should work. But you may still have problems mixing that many gouramis. Having target fish like danios might help.

-Chelle

 

haha i like your icon chelle.. anyways yes i planned on having the kissing 2 blue gouramis and then targets like giants danios maybe soem paridisefish. Also a pleco but im not as worried about that. -tl

 

I would go with danios, not paradise fish. Paradise fish are very closely related to gouramis so you'd just be increasing the chances of aggression if you added them.

-Chelle