This is my second try with these fish. I dont think i will ever buy these fish anymore. I also have german blue rams in my tank that are thriving in my tank. I dont know what caused it but she seems fine last night and all of a sudden dead today. And also all of them were the same fine one day next day dead.
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Had three honey gouramis last one died today.
- Thread starter mow said
- Start date
zozo
Member
It oftenly seems a bad quality breeding issue.. About all Gouramis are commercialy bred. If i review the importers data base the only wild caught Gouramis sp. they have are the Indian Dwarf Colisa, the Chocolate and the Trichopsis the rest is commercial.
And they have a lot..
https://www.ruinemans.com/en-GB/115/gourami-and-macropode.html
Anything wild is labeled wild if not it's captive bred..
And they have a lot..
https://www.ruinemans.com/en-GB/115/gourami-and-macropode.html
Anything wild is labeled wild if not it's captive bred..
sparkyweasel
Member
- Joined
- 30 Jun 2011
- Messages
- 2,868
I agree with Marcel, there are some very poor quality gouramis being imported, especially Honeys and Dwarfs. It is sad, because they used to be beautiful fish, and were easy to keep when you could buy healthy stock to start with.
Parablennius
Member
Sadly, after returning to tropical freshwater after a long break doing other stuff, I often see very poor quality fish across the board. I don't have an answer but I do find hybridised, deliberately deformed, long-finned, colour enhanced, glow in the dark, etc fish repulsive. I could rant all day long but what's the point, folk keep buying them!! Dwarf gourami males used to be a thing of beauty. Now they seem to be unnecessarily enhanced in some way. Not for me, I'm afraid.
I agree with you there allot of these fish are not supposed to look like this in the wild but i have learned my lesson now. And the way they lable them like fire red honey gouramis etc. I just liked these little guys but ohh well wont be trying with them anymore
Croaking gourami Trichopsis vittata
https://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/trichopsis-vittata/
This larger species seems prone to more aggression - at least intraspecies - though I suspect with a suitably large tank, this would be less notable
Sparkling gourami Trichopsis pumila
https://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/trichopsis-pumila/
these usually appear more laidback
Both species may ship interchangeably as they are much less distinct as juveniles, both make audible sounds and both may become avid shrimp hunters (typical of most gourami and anabantoid species)
As these are still wildtype and neither colour line bred nor hybridized, they’re less prone to the common issues observed with the “dwarf gourami’s”
Note wildtype honey gouramis are usually fairly sturdy stock but are seldom available on commercial fish lists, even when identified as such, what most often arrives is a color variant (rumour is this was accomplished through hybridization with those infamously weak colorline bred Trichogaster lalius strains)
https://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/trichopsis-vittata/
This larger species seems prone to more aggression - at least intraspecies - though I suspect with a suitably large tank, this would be less notable
Sparkling gourami Trichopsis pumila
https://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/trichopsis-pumila/
these usually appear more laidback
Both species may ship interchangeably as they are much less distinct as juveniles, both make audible sounds and both may become avid shrimp hunters (typical of most gourami and anabantoid species)
As these are still wildtype and neither colour line bred nor hybridized, they’re less prone to the common issues observed with the “dwarf gourami’s”
Note wildtype honey gouramis are usually fairly sturdy stock but are seldom available on commercial fish lists, even when identified as such, what most often arrives is a color variant (rumour is this was accomplished through hybridization with those infamously weak colorline bred Trichogaster lalius strains)
Thanks for the reply alto, my tank is 240ltrs I was thinking of adding a group of around 10, I am going to see them tomorrow, do you know if they are aggressive towards other species?
I’m assuming you’re thinking of the larger species
10 sounds a reasonable number for that tank though if they’re unusual In your area I’d likely buy a few more just in case of a few mishaps
There’s some anecdotal info worth reading on the SF profile, read the profile carefully to decide if they’d thrive in your tank set up (consider tankmates)
I’ve kept T pumilla in a planted tank BUT I have fairly low flowrate (4-5x turnover/hour)
I’m a great fan of Sphaerichthys gourami species, I’ve found that while 8-10 may do OK, this is really a minimum group size, they seem rather happier (long term) in a group of at least 15
I’d be inclined to apply similar numbers to T vittatus as again they seem to fare better in a group while also exhibiting some conspecific aggression
10 sounds a reasonable number for that tank though if they’re unusual In your area I’d likely buy a few more just in case of a few mishaps
There’s some anecdotal info worth reading on the SF profile, read the profile carefully to decide if they’d thrive in your tank set up (consider tankmates)
I’ve kept T pumilla in a planted tank BUT I have fairly low flowrate (4-5x turnover/hour)
I’m a great fan of Sphaerichthys gourami species, I’ve found that while 8-10 may do OK, this is really a minimum group size, they seem rather happier (long term) in a group of at least 15
I’d be inclined to apply similar numbers to T vittatus as again they seem to fare better in a group while also exhibiting some conspecific aggression
PARAGUAY
Member
Me nether . Agree with you on this . I believe glofish are that way for scientific research and somehow? available and now on general sale to fishkeepers?Dyed fish,ballon types PFKs editor Nathan Hill is a long time campaigner against these imports and the magazine support his efforts to encourage aquarists to support against them and ask shops not to sell them
zozo
Member
I might have the chance to get some croaking gouramis do these suffer from poor strains as well? Has anyone kept them and had success? Thanks
I'm keeping pumilas for several years now.. And till now i only found wild caught specimen.. Quality wise the fish where always ok.. If th etank is densly planted and you happen to get a pair that is intrested in breeding they certainly will. And fry can survive in sufficiently dense planted tanks. If you are lucky with a very knowledgable LFS that is able to sex them giving you the ability to buy 2 or 3 females on 1 male, you will encrease the chances of breeding. I've had fry survive and grow to adult.. Hard to say, didn't put a tag, but i might have one still today that is born in my aqaurium.
They are lovely little fish, very interactive, kinda bit bad boy character, always quareling. Always intersted in anything that moves and always exploring the smalles nooks and crannies in every corner of the tank. Indeed occasinaly they like to harass shrimps, i do not realy see them eating adults shrimp, but rather shase them around and nibble it. Since pumilas ar such slender fish, getting into the smallest places they might hunt and eat shrimp fry. But till now i kept pumila and cherry shrimp succesfully together.
The best part of these fish is, if the room is quiet you will occasinaly hear them croaking, which gives a wonderfull jungle like background ambience in the living room. It kinda sounds like a mini Magpie bird hiding somewhere.
sparkyweasel
Member
- Joined
- 30 Jun 2011
- Messages
- 2,868
Hi, 10 or 15 Trichopsis vittata would be fine in a tank that size, when rivals display to each other there's space for the weaker fish to withdraw so it doesn't develop into an actual fight. Also females who are not ready to spawn can get away from any unwanted attention.
The aggression is only between rivals, they leave other species alone, but their long fins are very tempting to any tankmates with fin-nipping tendencies.
I've kept them with small, peaceful fish like Harlequins, Chain Loach, Five-banded Barbs etc.
They are lovely fish, but don't always show their best in a dealers tank. As long as they look healthy they will develop their colours after settling into a well-planted tank.
I haven't had any for a while now, the more I think about them, the more I want to get some again,
I might have to go looking after Christmas.
The aggression is only between rivals, they leave other species alone, but their long fins are very tempting to any tankmates with fin-nipping tendencies.
I've kept them with small, peaceful fish like Harlequins, Chain Loach, Five-banded Barbs etc.
They are lovely fish, but don't always show their best in a dealers tank. As long as they look healthy they will develop their colours after settling into a well-planted tank.
I haven't had any for a while now, the more I think about them, the more I want to get some again,
I might have to go looking after Christmas.
Hi, 10 or 15 Trichopsis vittata would be fine in a tank that size, when rivals display to each other there's space for the weaker fish to withdraw so it doesn't develop into an actual fight. Also females who are not ready to spawn can get away from any unwanted attention.
The aggression is only between rivals, they leave other species alone, but their long fins are very tempting to any tankmates with fin-nipping tendencies.
I've kept them with small, peaceful fish like Harlequins, Chain Loach, Five-banded Barbs etc.
They are lovely fish, but don't always show their best in a dealers tank. As long as they look healthy they will develop their colours after settling into a well-planted tank.
I haven't had any for a while now, the more I think about them, the more I want to get some again,
I might have to go looking after Christmas.
Thank you for the excellent reply's guys, I went to see the fish today they didn't look the best and there wasn't that many and some were too small to put in my tank with the rainbows so I left it. They said they will be getting more in January so I am going to wait for now, I am going to do some more research on them while I wait. Thanks again
I don’t know that I’d keep them with rainbows (well, OK, I wouldn’t but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it a go ) as boisterous, active tankmates seldom really suit the smaller gourami species, though depending how your tank is set up, T vittatus may settle in happily enough in their own area of the tank ... you’ll likely just see less of them, and more limited behaviours
Just make sure that none of the more active fish are nipping at their trailing fins - definitely a problem with fish such as zebra danios and some of the tetras
Unless you’ve a hospital or quarantine tank, never buy any fish (no matter how exceptional/rare/tempting) that isn’t in excellent form
And after purchase, increase water changes for the first week or two (daily if possible)
And reduce lighting and CO2 for the first days
It’s well worth picking up an AIO tank kit to use for quarantine
) as boisterous, active tankmates seldom really suit the smaller gourami species, though depending how your tank is set up, T vittatus may settle in happily enough in their own area of the tank ... you’ll likely just see less of them, and more limited behaviours Just make sure that none of the more active fish are nipping at their trailing fins - definitely a problem with fish such as zebra danios and some of the tetras
Unless you’ve a hospital or quarantine tank, never buy any fish (no matter how exceptional/rare/tempting) that isn’t in excellent form
And after purchase, increase water changes for the first week or two (daily if possible)
And reduce lighting and CO2 for the first days
It’s well worth picking up an AIO tank kit to use for quarantine
I don’t know that I’d keep them with rainbows (well, OK, I wouldn’t but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it a go
Just make sure that none of the more active fish are nipping at their trailing fins - definitely a problem with fish such as zebra danios and some of the tetras
Unless you’ve a hospital or quarantine tank, never buy any fish (no matter how exceptional/rare/tempting) that isn’t in excellent form
And after purchase, increase water changes for the first week or two (daily if possible)
And reduce lighting and CO2 for the first days
It’s well worth picking up an AIO tank kit to use for quarantine
Hi alto, to be honest I have only got 3 rainbows left out of 7, Ive lost 4 over the last 2 weeks, it seems only the boesemani are affected, they lost colour and there bellies were thin, they were eating, lfs thinks they could have worms so have been treating for that but I doubt the last one is going to survive. If they all die I don't think I will be getting anymore for this tank at least. I have another tank which I am on setting up, but was going to use that to give breeding apisto's a go, never tried breeding before so think its time to give it a go. Will look into getting a quarantine tank after xmas. I keep empire gudgeons as well and Ive been told they can be nippy? If that's the case then I wont be getting the gouramis. They havnt touched my apisto he is king of the tank and knows it lol.
zozo
Member
Absolutely agree to that.. And also forgot to mention this... They can easily be outcompeted.. Thay are rascalls to eachother, but as bold as they are also as easily intimidated by agressive behavior from bigger fish and even stop eating and wither away. They should be King species in the tank. Or a very well setup big tank.
With loads of hiding places.. That they have in my tank and always have to search to find more than 1 and its a pain in the neck to count them.. Always on the move, 2 seconds later and again at the other side of the tank finding something else inetersting to watch for 3 second.
I’ve not kept empire gobies but quick online search suggests they’re fine in community tanks paying little attention to other fish ... just monitor their behaviour over the next while I suppose
Rainbows are (very) prone to mycobacterium infections so this may be a possibility
Note that fish with advanced internal parasite infestation (including helminths) generally display an initial (& often enthusiastic) food response, but then consume very little actual food, ofttimes appearing to taste and spit
