Can I put dwarf gourami in a 20 gallon hex?

[mystika1]

Hi,
I recently aquired a 20 gallon hex tank that was abandoned in an appt. I originally wanted to put dwarf cichlids in it but because of the small size....well it would be better to find something else. My ph stays around 8. think dwarf gourami is a very cute fish. I read that they will fight unless you put 4 or more together. Is this true? I don't mind getting 4 but I just don't want them to kill each other. My tank is arouund 14.5 wide(at the widest part of the hex) and 18.5 deep. A pair would be cute but I read that most stores carry males only.

Thanks,

Penny

[elb08]

I was just at 2 different stores and talked to people from both about them. I like them too. I was told at one store "they do better in pairs" and at the other "oh no, they can only be kept 1 to a tank unless it's really big"

So........... yeah. My instinct (based on research) is that there's no way you can do 4 in a 20 gal tank. Most stores do only sell males, but males do fight sometimes... that being said, I think the MAX you should keep in a 20 gal tank is 2 (if the tank is heavily planted as well... and THAT being said, you have a hex tank, that poses another issue. I don't think 2 would have enough room to get away from eachother width wise, so if it were me, I would not get 2 for a hex tank... I'd only get one and a bunch of schooling fish.

[Lady Hobbs]

One will be fine. Believe me, I had 7 in a planted 55 and they hated each other. All were males.

[mystika1]

Thank you both....one it is.

[elb08]

Thank you both....one it is.

Good luck, can't wait to see it. :ssmile: