New Dwarf gourami setup

[Saxodave]

I have a 10 gallon/40 litre tank I would like to use for a pair of Dwarf gourami and perhaps a few other tankmates. I am quite keen to set up a biotope if possible but I am not sure what tankmates would be suitable.

The tank will be completely re-landscaped with a dark substrate (not sure what to go with yet) and plenty of plants. My small internal filter I was thinking of adapting with a spraybar to lessen the outflow. Lighting will be a 15watt GroLux tube.

If a biotope is not feasible, I was considering some bumblebee or cherry shrimps and possibly some Boraras brigittae rasboras as tankmates.

Also, are dwarf gouramis any healthier in the trade now as I have read about them being likely to be short-lived.

Thank you. 

[Rüdiger]

Hi there,
As to the compatibility of the Dwarf Gourami you’ll get many differing statements. My 3 pairs lived “happily” in a standard 160 l community tank with agression being entirely interspecific. But I have reports where they chased everything that moved, especially whilest breeding.
However, if your 10 gallon tank is a 40 x 30 x 30 cm or there about it is too small for Trichogaster lalius in my humble opinion. They shouldn’t be kept in anything less than 60 cm long tanks except for breeding.
For suitable tank mates you’ll find good information if you look up the T. Lalius profile here on SF.

You’ll have noticed that I “quoted” the word happily in the first line. That concerns the general health of the species as such.
They did live happily but not for long. The Dwarf Gourai is infamous as a carrier of fish tuberculosis. As much as the dealer will tell you that his specimens are bred from desease free animals, chances are that they are not. Same happened to me and I lost all six after about 6 months. In my case it looked like the desease was triggered by sexual maturity but that is only an assumption. Be aware that fish tuberculosis is contractable by humans too ( e.g. tiny cut in the skin that gets into contact with the tank water) and takes a lengthy and very unpleasant course.
Additionaly you’d have to be prepared to terminate the fish (caution!! In some countries the law prohibits that) once they show symptoms since there is no cure.
I really don’t want to talk you out of keeping the fish but all these facts should be taken into consideration before you commit yourself.
Regards
R.

[Matt]

Agree with Rüdiger – the sparkling gourami, Trichopsis pumila, would probably do better in a tank of that size.

If you do go ahead with dwarf gouramis and want biotope-correct tankmates, the Indian ricefish Oryzias dancena might prove a good choice.

[Saxodave]

Thank you Rüdiger and Matt for your comments. I think, on balance, I would be keen to go for the sparkling gourami both for tank-size and health reasons (and also it is a very pretty fish). Should these be kept as a single pair or would I be able to have more than two in my tank? Also what biotope-tankmates could I keep with them?

 

Would my filter/lighting suggestions below still be suitable?

@Saxodave said:

My small internal filter I was thinking of adapting with a spraybar to lessen the outflow. Lighting will be a 15watt GroLux tube.

 

Thank you.

[Rüdiger]

Hi,
you are right, they are very pretty and show quite some caracter too. The males can be a bit agressive towards eachother so I would suggest a group of one male and 2 or 3 females in a 10 gallon tank. To achieve that you’d have to go for fully grown specimens though as is is almost impossible to distinguish sexes in young animals (even with grown animals it can be very difficult especially when kept in larger numbers in a dealers tank).
As tankmates I’d go for a shoal of Boraras maculatus. I keep them together and there has never been a problem.
For filtration you could even go for a small bubble filter and 15 watts is plenty of light for the fish.
Regards
R.

[Matt]

Nothing more to add here, that’s great advice.

[Saxodave]

Thank you both. That’s really helpful and now I will set about re-landscaping the tank in readiness for these new fish. I may well go with the bubble filter idea as even the small internal filter creates quite a current. Looking forward to getting started on this tomorrow. Kind regards, David.

[Saxodave]

Just one final question before I crack on with this; for a dark substrate would Eco-Complete Planted be an okay choice? or, if I use black sand, can I somehow reduce the thickness of the covering so that it is less likely to compact? Thanks again. David.

[Rüdiger]

I usually do the basic shape of the bottom with ordinary pea gravel and then add about 10 to 15 mm of sand. Never had a problem with compacting.
Regards
R

[Saxodave]

Great. That helps to keep the costs down a little too and this will be fine for planting directly into?

[Rüdiger]

Absolutely. Of course if you choose really “hungry” plants you might want to add a slow releasing fert granulate or similar to the gravel in those areas where you plan to put the plants (a tablespoon of uncontaminated, loamy garden soil does the same trick). I usually don’t use any fertilizer at all and all’s growing well.
Regards
R.

[Saxodave]

Thank you once again Rüdiger for all your help. I will post some pics when I get the tank sorted. David.

[Rüdiger]

Hi David,
it’s my pleasure. Pics would be great, I’ a bit of a nut for progress photos. 😀
I’m sure you’ll have loads of fun for the next couple of days.
Regards
R.

[Matt]

Yes, please do post some pics up!

[Saxodave]

I have now got the tank in place complete with bogwood, moss and a black gravel-topped substrate. As you suggested Rüdiger, I have topped a layer of small gravel with a 1-1.5cm layer of Sansibar black gravel. Behind the tank I have placed a Welsh slate (roofing tile)

It is not quite the full-blown biotope set-up I intended but I am trying to get water/lighting conditions as correct as possible for when I get the fish. My homemade filter (plastic pipe heated over the gas cooker ring and bent) is working well but I need to disguise that and the heater with some more planting. Already in there is Java moss, twisted Vallis, Hygrophila, Amazon frogbit, Lemna minor and a low-growing plant that I bought from my LFS yesterday but have already forgotten the name!

I have collected some dead, but still attached, beech (Fagus sylvatica) leaves from a tree in the park where I work and would like to add them to the tank. Should I just wash them first? boil them? microwave them? All these methods I have read about but I would like to know if one method is best.

 

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