[viachinski]

So I did plently of research and decided to get pearl gouramis for my community tank as they are the most peaceful and beautiful centerpiece fish in my opinion.
BUT when I got to the fish store there was only one left and I wanted 6 total... the store owner assured me that the gold and blue gouramis that the pearl was kept with were also very peaceful and they would all be fine.
Here is what I have in my tank now:
1x pearl gouramis
2x gold gouramis
2x blue gouramis
7x harlequin raspboras
7x rummynose tetra
6x emerald green cory
It's a 55gallon well planted tank with large rocks stacked to make hiding places...

Here's my question... Am I a sucker for listening to a store owner who just really wanted to sell me the blue/gold gouramis, or will they really be ok in the tank?
I am thinking about bringing them back next week and adding 5 pearl gouramis to join the one pearl in the tank.... but if anyone has kept gold/blue gouramis in a similar setting successfully I may just leave it the way it is (I will be getting one more pearl regardless so that he/she doesn't get lonely!)


Fire your opinions at me please!
Thanks,
Vicki

[DKRST]

Just an opinion based on my readings - I don't think your gourami combo is going to be peaceful as it currently sits. However, it may be a case of so many gouramis in one location that no one fish gets picked on? I don't know, but I think you'll be happier with the pearls alone.

[jeaninel]

Yeah, hate to say it but I think you were suckered.

Gouramis are very territorial and the blue and gold variety are more aggressive then the Pearls (IME anyway). I would take the blue and golds back. If you want multiple Pearls I would suggest getting just one male and the rest female. Make sure you have plenty of tall/floating plants for cover for the females to hide in.

[Byron]

I agree. Return the blue and gold [these are actually the same species, its under Blue Gourami in our profiles, click on the shaded name to read about them] as they are bound to be trouble eventually.
Pearl Gourami alone will be fine (a group, as jeaninel suggested). Plants are good to provide refuge. More info in the profile.

Byron.

[viachinski]

thanks everyone.
I knew the answer all along, I just really didn't want to go back.
I hope they take them back from me, I think they have to... I was "suckered" into buying them!!