good time to get one?

[Pearl Trade]

would now be a good time to get a gourami? i've been reading on here about a bunch of member's gouramis dying and someone said they think its because of the mass breeding going on thats making them weaker.

so would it really matter if someone bought one now compared to waiting to get one?

[cocoa_pleco]

would now be a good time to get a gourami? i've been reading on here about a bunch of member's gouramis dying and someone said they think its because of the mass breeding going on thats making them weaker.

so would it really matter if someone bought one now compared to waiting to get one?

if youre concerned, try to find a local breeder where the quality is good

[GouramiGal]

Personally, I wouldn't let others' misfortunes prevent me from getting one. The dwarf gouramis have always been delicate. Maybe it has just gotten more attention lately?

Are you thinking dwarf or regular size? The regular size seem to be more hardy.

Good luck, and let us know what you decide.

[Pearl Trade]

i'm thinking of Dwarf gouramis. i tried keeping a few before and it didnt really work out too well, which is a shame because they are great fish to have.

[GouramiGal]

They are neat!

Like cocoa suggested, try to find a local breeder. If that's not possible, scout out your lfs. Do they look healthy? Are there signs of disease?

And if you have a tank that's ready for them (water conditions, places for them to hide), that's even better.

[Tolley]

The way I'd see it is yes 2 or 3 members have had problems with gouramis but theres definitly more than 3 gourami keepers on the forum. But there not going to make a thread saying their gourami is doing well. I Bought two gouramis from my lfs a couple weeks ago and they're doing Great. If you want one go for it.

[C-Dub]

I agree, waiting isnt going to help because it's most likely only going to get worse. I say you go for it. Remember keep good water quality and plenty of hiding places.

[Luna]

There are more than 3 people who have had problems, though. Trichogaster sp. gouramis (not the dwarf variety) seem to be suffering from a strain of iridovirus ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.]), which is nearly incurable and almost always fatal. I had a dwarf gourami suffer similar symptoms (and die) about a month or two after I bought it, so looking for healthy specimens won't help much.

You will be taking a risk in buying one. Keep in mind that buying these fish only makes stores think that they are in high demand, which keeps the commercial breeders pushing for faster batches of fry. That, in turn, causes the species to become less viable.

It shouldn't be too hard to find a local or small breeder. Try aquabid or your local fish club.

[Bodhi]

The article cited above is dated from 1996. Have any new developments come along concerning this virus?

[AABatteries]

I have a blue and a gold gourami, I had an infection out break and they were the only one's who survived. Which makes me believe they're pretty hardy fish. And for the dwarf gouramis, I'd go for it.

[siymdapolio]

I would have to say that if you have a good lfs and good quality,,, you should talk to them about having a gourami and see which one would fit best...

I have a chocolate gourami which is a little more advanced gourami but is in great health and never had a problem! Gouramis are great but some dwarfs can get aggresive

[davidix]

I've never heard of this.

I have 2 Gouramis right now a Opaline and Gold and they are doing just fine. My opaline had a Cut that got infected but He survived because I gave HIm melafix. My brother has a Blue gourami and He's a healthy PIg.

[Bodhi]

Actually gourami's from the genus tricogaster are known to be particularly hardy, being able to withstand a wide temperature range and poor water quality. At this point every tricogaster gourami sold in a store these days has been born after 1996, which is when the study about the iridovirus came out... however these fish continue to display the hardiness they are known for.

Also, the study specifically states "Because the iridovirus found in gouramis has not been demonstrated to cause disease, it is premature to make sweeping recommendations for management."

In other words, don't worry about it.

[siymdapolio]

^^^^
Agree with all above posts on page 2 :thumb:

[FordForever]

I did have trouble with my gourami, but after i Bought him he was fine for six months and then all of a sudden he got ill and died. It could have been anything...I will be getting another I doubt it was some kind of global breeding problem.

I say go for it, they are wonderful fish.

[Gayle]

I have 2 Lavender Gouramis, they are just fine. So are their babies. The male is a real jerk at times, but that's just how is supposed to act. LOL