some questions on dwarf gouramis?

Question

i want some answers from real expierence, not the internet! 1) is a sponge filter best for a ten gal. tank w/ a pair of dwarf gouramis? 2)what are the best ways of picking out a healthy fish from a pet store,3) what are the best easy-care live plants for a 10 gal. tank w/ a pesky little 17 watt light (i know so lame =)) and 4) please give me your best tips and tricks on gorami keeping!
thanx!!!!
p.s i will prob add some cory cats, and the dwarf gouramis will be the red flame variety.

Answer 1

1. A sponge filter will not really circulate much water. Sponge filters are best for raising fry. If you want a sponge filter, use it to supplement an HOB filter (Hang On Back).

2. Look for active fish that eat well at the store. Avoid fish in tanks that have white spots, or many dead fish. If the employees are constantly trying to sell things to you, leave immediately.

3. Java Moss, Java Fern, Anacharis/Elodea, and Dwarf Hairgrass are all very flexible regarding their lighting and do not require additional CO2.

4. Add a small amount of aquarium salt to the tank. This will help prevent diseases and the Gourami will be less stressed and more colorful. Gouramis breath air, they don't use their gills, so be sure to leave room for them to reach the surface. If you try to breed Gouramis, there should be very little current in the water so they can build their bubble nest. Keep the water around 78-80 degrees for best results and healthier fish.

Email me if you have any questions. All the above information is from experience with my Paradise Gourami...

Nosoop4u

EDIT: If you add Cories to the tank, you should not add salt. Cories are very intolerant of salt and would likely die.

Answer 2

All of the fancy colored hybred dwarf grouamis that are in the pet stores are male (red flame ,blue metalics etc) these are all raised in the orient and they only export the males. If you can find some of the non hybidized dwarfs you might find some females in the tank .The females are a drab green color. You could breed these to the fancy males and probably get a color mixture. If you get eggs that dont hatch after several attempts then the hybrid male is probably sterile. On picking out fish in a pet store look at all the fish in the tank if any appear sick do not buy any out of that tank no matter that the one you like seems ok. Grouamis feel secure if ther are floating plants in the tank Try hornhort. Many plants do not like salt or fish medications

Answer 3

1) is a sponge filter best for a ten gal. tank w/ a pair of dwarf gouramis?--IMO I say no. A filter that cycles through the tank capacity at least four times an hour would be the best in terms of filtration and water quality upkeep. These types of filters for a tank your size would not be very expensive either.

2)what are the best ways of picking out a healthy fish from a pet store--Look at their fins, and colorations. There should be no fin damage nor blemishes on the body. Also look at their activity in that tank. Outside of a new delievery to the store, after a few days, they should be settled in and active in the tank. Any signs of missing scales, discolorations, cloudy eyes ect... is a sign that there is either a disease in the tank, or there is aggression being exerted in that tank among other fish.

3) what are the best easy-care live plants for a 10 gal. tank w/ a pesky little 17 watt light (i know so lame =))---Provide your plants with around 8 to 10 hours of lighting. Perform your proper water changes weekly. If necessary, employ a CO2 (carbon dioxide) diffuser to promote proper photosynthesis and plant health. As the nitrogen cycle, once completed, will begin to provide nitrates for plant consumption, please stay on top of the water changes. Excess nitrates not only harm your fish, but provide fuel for algea. Keep your nitrates at 40 ppm or under.

4) please give me your best tips and tricks on gorami keeping!---Had five dwarves over the course of 9 months. Lost a few to a nasty parasite that got in, the others, because I goofed and housed a Tropheus Dubosi in with the others, and he took them out. Dwarves have great coloration to them when young. Almost like a rainbow like appearence on the body. They do not grow excessivly large, hence why they are called dwarves. They tend to be a bit tempermental sometimes, but no accurate way to predict that. Generally if they are aggressive, it would be towards other Gourami of the same size, fancy flowing finned fish such as guppies, or small schooling fish that may "infringe" on thier territory. Dwarves make great fish to keep as a centerpeice for small tank set ups. Just keep an eye out initially for aggression if housed with community fish. Typically, though not all the time, if aggression will set it, you'll see that within the first two weeks. Most all the dwarves you'll find are male also. I've not been able to locate any females in the market, but I am limited to the NJ area, and may just be they aren't shipping to any stores in my area. Give them a mixed diet. Surface food such as flakes are good, but balance that with bloodworms, and brine shrimp and they should thrive very well.

Cories would not pose a problem with this fish either. Just keep in mind when looking at your overall bio load, cories would do best schooled with at least 4 of whatever species you wish to house.

JV

Answer 4

I agree with the first answerer. However a sponge filter might be ok. It will create very little current which is what you want with gourami. be sure to keep a close eye on your ammo and nI levels. Gourami breath at the surface so they don't need much surface agitation. Also floating plants are best for gourami.