Choclate gourami tank conditions.

[Rooivlerkie]

I have bought 2 choclate gouramis but they died because of the wrong tank conditions.
I want to buy them again but I don`t want to make the same mistake again.
What ph do they required?
Do they want to be alone in a tank?
thanks

[Arnold789]

They require soft, acidic water 4.0 - 6.5

[Anine]

I dont know if the chocolate gouramis prefer the same conditions as other gouramis, but I introduced a pair of pearl gouramis and a pair of thick-lipped gouramis to my community tank over the weekend.

pH at 6.8, temp at +- 24 degC, 0 nitrites, 0 nitrates, GH >6, KH 3. I do weekly 25-50% water changes and I have a heavy hand with the water conditioner. Tank is mature, established and stable. Filtered with a fluval canister filter.

120l tank, plenty of shelter in the forms of driftwood and plants. other tankmates include 8 glowlight tetras and 6 panda cories.
The gouramis are loving it and doing very well.

[Rooivlerkie]

Can choc gouramis llive with white clouds and honey gouramis?
I have 5 white clouds and 1 female honey gourami. At feeding time the fish all ate their food peacefully. Could 2 choclates do well in there?

[SalmonAfrica]

You've got to be careful with these guys - they're quite specific about their conditions, and you've got to keep the water optimal. Like it has been mentioned above, the water needs to be very acidic, and kept that way. In this sense, the other fish you're keeping won't appreciate such a pH extreme, especially over the long term, as the chocolate gouramis need.

You'll also want to keep the water very clean. Invest in good filtration that doesn't induce too much current - a slowly bubbling air-powered filter or canister filter that flows against the back of the glass will be fine, provided they can keep the water sufficiently clean.

They can be mixed with other species, but you've got to be careful on your choice. Try to find calm fish that will also appreciate the soft, acidic waters that these gouramis come from - Badis are one of the first fish that come to mind. :)

Regards

[Skye01]

I have to agree with SalmonAfrica, their water parameters have to be very specific. According to the books that I have they are an extremely difficult fish to keep. My one book gives these specs :
Temp : 16-28
Soft (50mg/l)
PH : Acidic (6.0 - 6.5)
Peat filtration is needed to maintain ideal water conditions, as are regular water changes.
(DK Encyclopedia of Aquarium & Pond Fish - David Alderton)

HTH.

[Reedfish]

They require soft, acidic water 4.0 - 6.5

Yup, they require soft acidic water.
Also, they don't like being with aggressive or boisterous fish. So are ideal candidates for a species only Nano.

[Naomi]

Hi Rooivlerkie I love My chocolate gouramis. I've had mine forover 3months now and they are awsome fish! I originaly kept them with my 6 Dario Dario in a 30 L tank but they kept chasing each other - so I moved them to a 60L and they are 100% better almost no chasing - just swimming together (unless its feeding time).
So my suggestion is to not keep them in anything smaller than 45 to 60L (just my experience sofar) and really good water conditions! I do 20% change 1 week only from this month use to be 20% twice weekly.
They like the tanks well planted and soft acidic water. They are really great to keep, hope you come right!

BTW where did you see them I haven't seen them around much lately, they're quiet scarce? :amuse:

[Rooivlerkie]

thanks

[Rooivlerkie]

Ok mabe I will set up an other tank for the chocs.

[Rooivlerkie]

What is the lowest ph a white cloud can take? A honey gourami? A bristle nose?

[Naomi]

Look I'm not sure what the effect on them is - but my Chocolates are kept with my Honey Gouramis and neons. I have droped the PH until it was right before I placed the Chocolate G. in. Sofar so good they seem to be fine about 2 mnths - My PH is 6.2.
Most species can be kept between 6 - 8 including White Clouds, Honeys are about 6 - 7.5.
In my opinion I think they'll be fine - Its the Chocolates that don't do well in Hard water with High PH.

You can try a Discuss buffer - I know Seachem as well as Tropic Marine makes one.

Good luck, hope this help.
1131211311

[Rooivlerkie]

Thanks Naomi
Your chocs look beautiful.
Ok I think they can do good with white clouds, honeys and the bristle nose
I have watch my black widows and rummies and X-rays. When Its feeding time they eat like this is the last time they ever will see food.
My whiteclouds and honey gourami eats their food very peacful.
Thanks for the advice

[Naomi]

Thank you, getting pics not so easy! I also thought they won't beable to hold their own in the community tank, but you won't believe it is the shy male-chocolate that is chasing everyone at feeding time! :amuse:

[Rooivlerkie]

shy male-chocolate that is chasing everyone at feeding time! :amuse:
Poor other fisies

Thanks for the advice

[Rooivlerkie]

will let you know when I got chocs.

[Skye01]

Naomi... What stunning fish. Do you have a female for your honey because I see he is in full breeding regalia? I love your Chocolates as well, where did you get yours from, I have not seen them around.

Rooivlerkie, keep us updated, I'm looking forward to hearing about your progress regarding your chocolates.

[Naomi]

Hi Skye01 Yip I have two honey females, they all getting breeding colours now. My Chocolates... I was just lucky, a LFS brought them in special for another customer!

[Skye01]

Naomi, yes that really is very lucky. I've not seen any female honey's around, but plenty of boys...:(

Sorry Rooivlerkie, don't mean to hi-jack your thread...

[Rooivlerkie]

OK I will let you know when i get some more chocs. It could be in this week