I have a 30 gal. tank and 4 gouramis that never cause problems and are not aggressive with each other. I just got three zebra cichlids that are about 2 -3in long and so far they show no aggression what so ever to each other and even feed very well together. Will they be ok or will they becom aggressive?? should I take them out even if they never show any signs? please help..I love the gouramis and dont want them to get hurt..thank you!
2007-05-19 03:41:32 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
they are dwarf gouramis..I know bad right??...
2007-05-19 03:49:59 · update #1
the people I bought them from told me I could put them together and she is a serious breeder who has has these and many other fish breeds for a VERY long time.. I have had other ppl tell me this as well so I thought it was ok untill I looked on the enternet so now what to do??...
2007-05-19 04:21:31 · update #2
Probably not a good combination. The Zebra cichlids will eventually become territorial and whip the bejabbers out of the Gourami. Their not "bad" or aggressive,their territorial,and your tank is not large enough for three Mbuna,much less any other fish with three Zebra cichlids. It's really a good idea to research the fish before you buy them. Also water that's good for African Cichlids is too hard for Gourami,and water that's good for Gourami is too soft for African Cichlids from the Rift Lakes. So which specie is suffering. You should know what conditions fish require before you buy them.
2007-05-19 03:55:03 · answer #1 · answered by PeeTee 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like a recipe for disaster. I see two possible things happening with your current mix of Gouramis and Zebra Cichlids.
First, if your Zebras do not become aggressive to the Gouramis, they are territorial and more feisty in nature which could cause the Gouramis to shy away and hid a lot. In the end this may cause the Gouramis to stop eating and eventually die.
Second, the Zebras will become more aggressive with age and they themselves my start to show aggression towards the Gouramis to the point where the Zebras with end up killing your Dwarf Gouramis.
The bottom line is that Zebra Cichlids are territorial in nature. It is only a matter of time before they start to show that and the Gouramis will suffer from it. Dwarf Gouramis are peaceful and shy in nature and should not be kept with African Cichlids.
I suggest you separate them with either a second tank or a tank divider and if you do get a new tank I suggest you move the Zebras to the new tank. Using a divider should only be temporary because 3 Zebras need more space than half a 30gal.
2007-05-19 12:29:24 · answer #2 · answered by Dustinius 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the zebras are an african cichlid, and i really would consider taking them out, your tank could well be a ticking time bomb for a fishy massacre. what kind of gouramis do you have? gouramis will put up an effort to stand their ground, but the zebras, being cichlids, could well win in an attack.
gouramis and african cichlids have entirely different tank requirements. the zebras need hard water, gourami's prefer softer water.
african cichlids should only be kept with other african cichlids.
2007-05-19 10:48:06 · answer #3 · answered by catx 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Put them in there and observe (keep the bag though). If they try to chase the gouramis and nip their fins, then place them back in the bag and go buy a tank divider and keep the gouramis one one side and the cichilds on the other side.
~ZTM
2007-05-19 11:42:39 · answer #4 · answered by ZooTycoonMaster 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Those shouldn't be together.
Zebras are African Cichlids, and will become very territorial.
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2007-05-19 15:58:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋