Should We Get A New Male For Our Female Dwarf Red Sunset Gourami

[FroggyFish]

I had a pair of Red Sunset Dwarf Gouramies (1 male and 1 female). I say 'had' because the male suddenly died this morning. It was all very sudden. yesterday we had noticed he was at the top a lot during the day, and by this morning he was obviously finding breathing difficult, gasping at the surface, and before we knew it he had died. All very sudden - we didn't have time to set up the quarantine tank and move him into it.

All very sad - we loved George, and he had gorgeous colouring. We had had him for over 6 months, with no other previous signs of illness or injury of any kind.

Anyway, my question is - we now have a remaining female Dwarf Gourami of the same type. Should we get her another mate? I have read that Gouramies can pine away and die if they have no mate. Also, would another female aswell as a male provide a better ratio (ie 2 females:1 male)? Also, if we got a new male/female & male, should they be all of the same kind, ie Dwarf Red Sunset Gourami? Or would a mixture of different types be ok? I don't know what types they will have available in the LFS.

We have a 125 litre tank, which is well-planted; with 2 Bristlenose Plecs, 6 Cardinal Tetras and 6 Black Phanthom tetras.

[cer]

Another male and 2 more females.

[FroggyFish]

Another male and 2 more females.


Thanks for your reply, cer. So if I buy 2 more females & 1 male, we'll have 4 Goruamies altogether - is that ok in a 125 litre tank? not too many for the size? I appreciate your comments.

[Sharon]

If it were me, I'd get just the female. More than one male in a tank that size will give you problems, as they will fight. You really don't have room for four...

[FroggyFish]

If it were me, I'd get just the female. More than one male in a tank that size will give you problems, as they will fight. You really don't have room for four...

I don't have any males at present so would only get one male.

I only have one female at present - so should I get one male, or one male & one female?

[Sharon]

Sorry...Had a senior moment!!! You should basically try just one pair in the tank so you have just one male- one female. Buy just one male as a mate for the female that you have. More than one male will cause territorial issues.

[FroggyFish]

Sorry...Had a senior moment!!! You should basically try just one pair in the tank so you have just one male- one female. Buy just one male as a mate for the female that you have. More than one male will cause territorial issues.


Ok, thanks for that Sharon. I understand about the territorial issues with more than one male. I have heard that having 2 females with one male is a better ratio - female gets less stressed. Any comments?

[Sharon]

I've read that too, but considering that the tank is not large, and is fairly well stocked, I'd go with the one. I've also read that they are best kept in pairs. We don't get the females here, and when I kept the Dwarves, I had two males in a 55gal tank. They were territorial, even with that much room. If you really want two females, I suppose you could...or you could add a second female if you find there's a need to disperse aggression.

[FroggyFish]

That makes a lot of sense - I was a bit worried about over-stocking the tank - especially as Gouramies are fairly large fish, compared with our Cardinal Tetras.
Sounds like one male is the way forward then. We're hoping to go to our local fish shop this weekend, so we'll see what kinds of Gouramies they have.
Thanks for your advice.

[Sharon]

You're quite welcome!thumbs2:

[C-Dub]

yeah I agree with the 1male 2female total. When you have 2 female it's easier on them b/c it gives the male 2 fish to annoy when the male is feeling grumpy. Therefore less stress for the females as they can share the abuse

[FroggyFish]

Thanks all for your advice/ideas.