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Hi Guys,

Just after some advise re: labyrinth fish.

I have returned to fishkeeping after a 5 year absence, and was aiming for a discus setup but couldn't get the water spot on without RO/HMA units (moving house within the year so may get one later), so showed my partner and sprog pics of an asian and south american setup. The asian one won, on the grounds of the Siamese Fighting Fish.

I have a 55g cycled tank with:
8 Banded Barbs
6 Cherry Barbs
4 Zebra Loaches

I like Pearl Gourami's - would a pair or 1M/3F work?
Everyone like's Siamese Fighting Fish - would 1M/3F work here? (can only find info on 10g tanks, saying m/f mixes = bad)

Tanks planted with a vallis wall at one end and swords at the other (with wood caves), and floating plants amongst the dangling roots.

The stocking looks good to me...even the Pearl gouramis.

But, I wouldn't mix female and male bettas. If you want bettas, I would go with a trio of females. Its not good to mix males and females, even in large tanks. The male will most likely kill atleast one female, if not all. Yes, people do successfully breed bettas, but they take the female out right after because the male would kill her.

Its usually a hit or miss to house gouramis and bettas in the same tank. Pearls are really the most peaceful gouramis, so it should be ok to keep them with bettas. I would go with the trio of females, instead of one male. Females tend to be less aggressive than the males when it comes to other fish. It really all boils down to the individual bettas personality though.

I would add a few more loaches, if you want. That will keep the activity on the bottom high./:'

*Kristin*

*if* you want to mix sexes of bettas, you really should get them all at a very young age (2 months?) when they have never been separated, and make sure the tank is almost jungle-like, with more plant than water so its easy to make territories.
A 55g would be ok for that, but yeah, still not recommended. If you still want to try, definitiely select from a docile line, from a breeder, at a young age and NEVER BEEN SEPARATED. Also, be prepared to separate permanently if things go bung.

It can be done, but its more common than not to have the male and dominant remale sparring to the point that they are covered in body bites and have very little fin left. Its just begging for infection.

Have you considered longfinned females? its not exactly like a male, but if you can find yourself a spadetail that could add more flowing colour without adding the fightihng aspect.

Personally, I'd go with females. I'd find a good breeder and ask for their pet shop culls so you get good tails and young healthy fish, but without the broodstock pricetag I'd say most would be freebies considering the home you are offering

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

Thanks for the tips guys.

The general consensus today, having consulted the family, is 4 gourami's (1M + 3F) and one Saimese Fighting Fish. Will this work?

Was curious as to how betta's exist in the wild, and I think Callatya has suggested how they can survive.

On a side note, I was leaving approx 10" of fish length space for the bottom, for one true SAE, once the zebra loaches are comfortable (latest additions).

However, I digress slightly, as they spotted RTBS in the lfs and want one...I know they're hit and miss with their personalities, but wondering if one could be added, given there's 4 caves, and they're all the same size(ish). Also, would there be problems with the SAE and RTBS, given they're from similar species?

Well mixing gouramis with bettas is also hit or miss. I've heard you shouldn't, but I've also heard of people who do. Maybe with 4 gouramis and 1 betta, it could work. Just have a backup tank for the betta (siamese fighting fish), in an event that problems arise.

Not sure about the RTBS. Since the loaches would be about the same size, maybe you wouldn't have problems. I think as long as there is enough space for all, it would be fine.

I think SAE's are a shoaling fish...so I would get atleast 3. I think they are pretty much like ottos, cleaning off the glass and wood and stuff, so they wouldn't be on the bottom all the time. That way the RTBS wouldn't feel crowded. If he has a cave to call his own, he shouldn't cause any problems.

*Kristin*

i wouldn't mix a long fin male betta in the tank, for two reasons:

a) long fin males often struggle in a community tank with a power filter, it really doesn't have any benefits, and also the fins male him a bigger target.

b) it really does add a fake look as long fin males are not wild fish.

the female betta thing sounds good.

however, with bettas and gouramies. i do not have any problems, i am currently housing 3 types in a 20 with some female bettas. i am currently mixing:
moon beam gouramie
gaint gouramie
female bettas

i have never really ran into a problem housing them together.

The RTBS is a huge No-No! I know you said they'll have a cave to itself, they may still attack the other companions. Make sure the other fish are bigger than him, or trouble is sure to arrise. I personally advise not to get them, as they are quite troublesome fish.

I have to agree with Jay Hopper re RTBS. As they age they do become aggressive, regardless of whether they have their own territory or not. They just seem to want ALL the territories. Save yourself the heartbreak of having to return it the LFS at a later date.

The SAE will definately keep your plants and driftwood looking nice but I haven't noticed them cleaning the glass, well mine dont seem to at all.

---

Those who say they cant, Never will !!!

Thanks guys. I think the RTBS won't be joining. And 3 betta females sounds possible although still open to debate.

However, I've always had a soft spot for Betta imbellis (sp), the Peaceful Betta, but never kept them, nor seen them much in the shops here (UK). The males are shorter finned than Betta splendens but I know nothing of their needs, and haven't found much whilst searching (busy day too What are people's opinions of them?

Imbellis are splendid little fish.

You could keep a male and some females of those together with no worries. Although the females are a bit average-looking in a show tank.

BTW, the tails of imbellis are the same as wild or plakat betta splendens, its the fancy splendens that have long tails. Purely a man-made thing (so much as selective breeding can be classed as man-made)

You might also want to check out B. smaragdina, B sp. mahachai, sparkling gouramies (dwarf croaking gouramies i think they are called in America) and B. simplex.

Not necessarily jaw-dropping, but all have a certain something IMO



For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett