cardinal tetras + pearl gouramis

[chel]

I have a 36 g that I am in the process of stocking as such

10 zebra danio (I have)
8 cardinal tetras (I have, may add a few more)
2 pearl gourami (I have 1 and plan to get 1 more ... maybe)
6 panda cory cats (don't have)

I finished cycling with the danios a couple of weeks ago, added 1 dwarf gourami and waited about 10 days and added the tetras. No ammonia spike. All is well.

My question is this: I started talking to the LFS owner that seems to know what he's talking about and he made me feel 2 " tall for putting the cardinal tetras and the pearl gourami together. He said that the pearl is an extrememly aggressive fish and will nip and stress the cardinals to death. Adding another would be basically signing their death warrant. He told me that a discus would be a much better option to pair with the cardinals.

So I am confounded. From most everything I've read the pearl gourami is a peaceful fish and when aggressive, it's usually two males picking on each other. Anyone with any experience or ideas?

[rich311k]

Pearl gouramis are one of the gentlest of gouramis. I see no problem with them and the cardinals.

[jaysee]

I couldnt disagree more about the pearls being aggressive. They are the most peaceful gouramis I've ever kept and will be just fine with the tetras. In fact, they are a fish that really benefits from having a dither fish (a fish that puts more timid fish at ease by their swimming about). If anything, I would be concerned about the zebra danios stressing the pearls out with their maniacal behaviour.

Pearl gouramis school together in the LFS tank - no other gouramis do that. That is not the behavior of fish that are aggressive.

[chel]

Okay, thanks! This confirms what I have been experiencing, too. My pearl is totally laid back. The first day or two I got him he would not come out from the cave and when he did seemed very scared of the danios which were zipping all around and generally being pests ... but then I rearranged a plant so that there is plenty of cover up top and since he's adjusted he is out all the time and seems unfazed by the danios and definitely not interested in pestering the cardinals. If anything, the danios are more aggressive in terms of chasing them around the tank.

How long do you think I should wait until I add another pearl? I added 8 cardinals 2 days ago. I lost one this morning...stuck to the filter intake. I'm pretty bummed about it but I am also a little surprised I haven't lost more. They were looking really bad when I got them home and I found out that they had just got them in so they didn't really have time to recover and acclimate. Their color now is pretty good.

[iZinedane]

Okay, thanks! This confirms what I have been experiencing, too. My pearl is totally laid back. The first day or two I got him he would not come out from the cave and when he did seemed very scared of the danios which were zipping all around and generally being pests ... but then I rearranged a plant so that there is plenty of cover up top and since he's adjusted he is out all the time and seems unfazed by the danios and definitely not interested in pestering the cardinals. If anything, the danios are more aggressive in terms of chasing them around the tank.

How long do you think I should wait until I add another pearl? I added 8 cardinals 2 days ago. I lost one this morning...stuck to the filter intake. I'm pretty bummed about it but I am also a little surprised I haven't lost more. They were looking really bad when I got them home and I found out that they had just got them in so they didn't really have time to recover and acclimate. Their color now is pretty good.

wait about a week or two
to let the benefecial bacteria catch up on the bioload :hmm3grin2orange:

[Kaz]

Everybody has a different expierience with fish. Owners will give advice based on their expierience.

For the longest time, if you asked me, I would tell you that zebra danios were extremely aggressive and would beat up smaller inhabbitants such as Neon tetras.

And my LFS owner told me not to put GBRs with shrimp.

[Northernguy]

Its hard to know who to beleive!Thats why the AC is here!lol
Just because they work in a fish store does not mean they keep fish or are very learned in fish habits and characteristics.
Fish act totally different in store tanks.