Lone Honey Gourami in Community Tank?

[JackBinimbul]

I'm currently working on getting my first tank up and running. It's a 20 gallon long and will end up fairly heavily planted. It will be housing Endler's, pepper cories and neo. shrimp.

I was wondering about adding just one larger, peaceful fish for a bit of flash. Something that wouldn't outgrow a 20 or be a heavy polluter. I also want something that can eat the same sort of food (tropical flakes, micropellets, sinking wafers, etc) as the original fish and not require more specific care.

A gourami seemed like a good choice, but most dwarf gourami seem to often have iridovirus. I like the sound of honey gouramis. They sound fun to watch, engaging and peaceful and don't carry iridovirus as frequently. However, I'm concerned that housing a lone gourami wouldn't be ideal for the fish.

I'm not keen on getting a pair as I don't want to take on the responsibility of breeding atm and I know two male gouramis can be aggressive toward each other. Would a single honey gourami be content in a community tank like this or should I consider a different fish? I'm not a huge fan of cichlids, for the record.

 

[rlederer]

I'm not a big fan of "centerpiece fish." Most all fish do much better if there are others of their species with them. A pair of gouramis in a community tank is no likely to breed and if they manage to, the young won't survive. So breeding is not an issue. Get a pair.

 

[JackBinimbul]

Is there a species you would recommend or any dwarf gourami? Would a pair do alright in my tank size with my proposed fish? Would a betta be more suitable?

 

[King Fisher]

Don't put a Betta in there. They can't take any type of flow in the tank and he/she will kill your shrimp.

Sparkling Gourami's are small and peaceful and can be kept in a school.

 

[JackBinimbul]

Ah. I've never had a betta before and didn't know they weren't shrimp friendly. I won't really have much flow though, as I'll be using an air pump filter. No bettas, then!

A pair of gourami seems like the way to go if I decide to add anything down the line. I'll start with my original stock and see how it goes.

 

[MattS99]

Honey gouramis are extremely peaceful and social, not a fish I'd ever keep alone. I had a pair of males in my 20 long a few years back, everything worked out perfectly fine. Honey gouramis just like to have friends around so gender doesn't really matter if you're not trying to breed.

 

[King Fisher]

Ah. I've never had a betta before and didn't know they weren't shrimp friendly. I won't really have much flow though, as I'll be using an air pump filter. No bettas, then!

A pair of gourami seems like the way to go if I decide to add anything down the line. I'll start with my original stock and see how it goes.

I found out long ago not to mix Bettas and shrimp. Not once but twice....slow learner. They are a nice snack for them. I agree, see how it goes then look around and plan on what you want.