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I have 2 dwarf gouramis...along with other fish in a 10g. I didnt know when I bought them that they were both male. They pick on each other alot..it could be harmless but they do it so much it makes me feel sorry for one of them. My question is..I have an empty 5g (small i know) that I am now gonna put a couple cherry barbs or another small pair of fish in..could I keep one of the dwarf gouramis in there until I can get a bigger aquarium (like a couple months!)..I hate to do it to one of them but it bothers me that they pick on each other..usually one of them (named Jimmy) picks on the other (Jerry). Jerry doesn't seem hurt or anything...i just want to prevent that from happening.

*Kristin*

While a 5 gallon is normally too small for a dwarf gourami, in this case, the extenuating circumstances warrant the move. I would move Jerry into that 5 gallon tank (understand that the move will cause that 5 gallon to cycle, so there is a possibility that an ammonia spike could occur), and then save up for that bigger tank ASAP...

PM/email/msg me if you have any questions/comments regarding me or my knowledge or if you want me to read a thread.

thanks! I was hoping it would be ok..and not totally horrible for him to be in the 5. At most he would be in there 2-3 months and only with two cherry barbs...and plants. Its a matter of me selling a few things to get money for a bigger tank. Would the two gouramis be alright together in a 33 or 55? Or should I still keep them separated? I am shooting for the 55 gallon next.

*Kristin*

I like your question, as I too have two males in my tank and one just pushes the other around all day long. They are in a 39 gallon tank and still it's not a happy scenerio. I am thinking that I need to bring one back as well, so my guess is that you may want to bring one back to your lfs and get a credit or another kind of fish. I think your 5 gal. sounds too small for those fish...

I don't recommend a pair in a 55 together as I've seen two tear each other up in a 55...

PM/email/msg me if you have any questions/comments regarding me or my knowledge or if you want me to read a thread.

Well I can't take one back because I got them from Wal-mart (with very clean fish tanks) and I bet they won't take it back..plus I dont have the receipt. I will move Jerry to the 5 until I get a bigger aquarium and then one will stay in the 10 with some friends. Thanks for the help.

*Kristin*

I have a pair of males in a ten gallon tank and they get along better than they did in the 29. I would have prefered a male and a female but most pet stores do not carry females as they are much less colorful and don't sell as well (sigh...). When they were in the 29' they would each go to their corners of the tank and then come to the middle, squabble and chase each other back to their side of the tank. In the smaller tank they hang out together and keep close company all the time. Good luck

Thanks. I wish mine got along like that. One of mine is sick now so it makes him more vulnerable. I'm moving the bully out today..hopefully it will make life better for my sick gourami.

*Kristin*

i have 4 and by reading this thread i see i have 3 males and 1 female. My males thrive and play and do not harm each other, but the poor little female seems a bit nutty??? I have never had a problem with my males chasing each other and they are in a 55 gal tank...good luck. I would keep them seperated...

chelle