Opaline Gourami...Questions

[EdgarMedina1010]

How big do they get? i've only heard that they get 4"+ and is it safe to keep them in a 20 gal. tank? ..and when they get to 4-5" will they eat smaller fish?...cause I have them with a school of neons...

 

[crazyred]

Well, my 'little' girl is nearing 5" and I have her in a 29 gallon tank. I would only consider keeping one in a 20 if it was a 20 long (same length as my 29, just shorter). Otherwise, if it's a 20 high.....they really would need a longer tank. My opaline, Dot, is the largest fish in my 29 and she was tiny (2" or so) when we bought her. They are GORGEOUS fish. HTH

 

[EdgarMedina1010]

thanks for the info

 

[JustOneMore20]

Yep, I have read they get 5 inches. My boy is about 4 inches right now, so he still has some growing to do.

 

[Zagz]

They do get to be anywhere from 4-5". They can be aggressive to their own as well so more space is better for that reason as well.

 

[finny al]

my mama pearl is just shy of 5". She's a beauty- and she is not mean, but she definitely rules the tank

 

[EdgarMedina1010]

and when they get to 4-5" will they eat smaller fish?...cause I have them with a school of neons...

 

[Fruitbat]

EdgarMedina1010....

The answer to your question is a qualified 'yes'. Blue Gouramis (Trichogaster trichopteris) of which the Opaline Gourami is just a color variant, will eat smaller fish but your Neon Tetras are probably big enough to be safe (unless they're very small Neons). The gourami doesn't have a very big mouth for the size of the fish and the Neons are reasonably fast. I've kept Opaline Gouramis with fairly small Brilliant Rasboras (Rasbora borapetensis) without any problems.

-Joe

 

[EdgarMedina1010]

EdgarMedina1010....

The answer to your question is a qualified 'yes'. Blue Gouramis (Trichogaster trichopteris) of which the Opaline Gourami is just a color variant, will eat smaller fish but your Neon Tetras are probably big enough to be safe (unless they're very small Neons). The gourami doesn't have a very big mouth for the size of the fish and the Neons are reasonably fast. I've kept Opaline Gouramis with fairly small Brilliant Rasboras (Rasbora borapetensis) without any problems.

-Joe

yeah my neons are at least 1"+ and the opaline gourami is barely 2" so maybe by the time he gets big, my neons will be fully grown...thanks a lot!

 

[JustOneMore20]

You should be fine! I have mine with neons and glowlights (1 is a runt...about an inch)...and my gourami hasn't ate him yet...lol.

 

[EdgarMedina1010]

yeah i've been watching it for a while and he doesnt seem interested in them...so yeah maybe It should be fine...thanks for the replies

 

[crazyred]

I have had my big girl in with platy fry for quite a while and she has NEVER eaten them. Your neons will be fine.

 

[EdgarMedina1010]

thanks