Update on Gourami
David, I’m not sure exactly what harsh comments you mean, nor do I know to whom you are referring since you have not included that part of the thread (other person’s reply) on this topic. Three of us have voiced our opinion on the behavior of this species, as is commonly recognized — and two of us have stated that your ten gallon tank is too small for this Gourami when including your other fish.
You have as much said yourself that your Opaline Gourami is aggressive. Please know that this trait is one that is not restricted just to your Gourami, but is a common trait with the species as a whole. We are just telling it as it is in an effort to advise you of what to expect from this fish, hoping the advice will help you.
As for the tank being too small, first I’m glad to hear you in fact have a 20 gallon tank, even though this will not diminish your Gourami’s attitude. When advising against your Gouarmi in what we thought was a 10 gallon tank, we are at the same time, taking into consideration the rest of your fish too (the complete bioload). Even though your Gourami may be only 3″ at this time, it must be taken into consideration, this fish eventual potential full size upon reaching maturity. A 3″ fish may not seem too big for a 10 gallon tank, even including your other fish, but a 6″ (some books say 5″ for this species) fish, along with your other fish, may get crowded. Then too, unless adaquate room is offered in the beginning of any fish’s growth, a tank of too small dimensions for the full size of the species may well restrict its growth to the point that it may never reach full size and/or at the same time restrict the growth of the other tank inhabitants because of a tendency to crowd as they grow (even if the tank is not yet crowded at this point). This advice is not meant to be harsh, but is reality and we are offering this in the spirit of being in your best interest. We have no other purpose in spelling out these truths.
We would no more recommend housing a 3″ Gourami - with the potential of reaching 6″ (even though its a labyrinth breather) in a 10 gallon tank with a full compliment of other fishes, than we would recommend a 6″ Oscar - with the potential of growing more than 12″ (possibly up to 16″) in a 20 gallon tank. The fish may be just fine right now, but sufficient room must be given it if you want to be fair to it in enabling it to reach its full potential by offering it ample quarters, instead of restricting all the fish in that tank, which essentially is what will happen as the water parameters affect all the inhabitants. Again, we are offering this as part of the advice we feel you need, even if you have not asked for this in particular. Its felt that you have just overlooked it and we feel this should be brought to your attention in an effort to see you succeed. We are not saying you failed. BTW, while the information you were told by you fish store may be seen as being at least partially correct in the sense of it being stretched, please know that part of this species’ (Opaline Gourami) behavior in being aggressive is due to territoriality. The species is not “tame”, only appearing as such until another fish swims into its territory — then watch out! And, I’m talking now about having the fish housed in a large tank, for this behavior to be seen in this natural manner. We are not making this up — the species has a well recognized notorious aggressive trait within its over-all behavior. We wouldn’t say it if it were not so. Ray
Category: Philippines Internet Koi Society
