Basic Gourami questions
 

I have been himming-and-haw'ing about a new tank. Once I figure out where it will go I think I want more gourami's. I used to keep 2 blue gourami's, a dwarf gourami and a male betta in my 5g (It's no wonder they all survived!). This time around I know better to research first.
I have my heart set on blue gourami's. What is the basic requirement for them?If I got a 10g would a pair be okay?
How do I sex them? and what ratio should I do? m/m, f/f, or m/f? *AND how do I know they will get along from the store's tank to mine?
Do they prefer the same water parameters as bettas? And what can go in the tank with them? (shrimp, adf, or snails?)
What temp do they like? I think they're SEAsian so, in the 79-80F range?
Do they like Indian Almond Leaf tanned water?
What kind of diseases or illnesses can they suffer? And what would I need for preventative or reactive care?
Thanks :)

according to the profile, blue gourami need tanks at least 36 inches long :/ so probably not a 10 gallon.

well, that sucks. I have been reading the fish profiles here on the site. It really makes me feel bad, my favorite 3 fish years ago were my gourami's and though they seemed to be doing alright I know they probably suffered long.
I have to see what kind of deal I can get on a 10-15g tank with stand. I have an idea where it would go but I can't do a 20. :(
PetSmart sells dwarfs and honeys. But do all dwarfs have that disease?

I personally would stay away from Dwarf Gourami unless you are certain of the origin. And by origin I mean the hatchery/hobbyist who spawned/raised them. If the hatchery is reliable, the fish should be free of the gourami iridovirus. What this means is never buy them from chain stores or any fish store that does not know and trust their supplier. This disease is impossible to cure, and it does spread to other species in the tank, so it is not worth the risk.

Honeys are fine from this aspect, unless of course they have come into contact with infected dwarfs. There are also many other even smaller gourami, several of which are in our profiles under anabantids. Most of these are soft water fish, and many being wild caught make this imperative. But if this is not an obstacle, you have many interesting fish to choose from.

I think most of your original post questions will have been answered by the profiles, but if any questions remain, ask away.

Byron.

Thanks Byron!
I like the shape of blue-honey-dwarf gouramis so I don't think I will go for ones like licorice. I think my choices remain pretty limited as to which kind I get anyway because we only have chain stores, a local pet store who I can go ask personally and then a local fish store who sometimes sells wild caught fish. I think my tap water is naturally pretty hard so I will stick to more hardy species.
I just absolutely love blue gouramis but they might be something I get later when I move. And I like the look of dwarf but I'll ask around, maybe the lfs would know about the iridovirus thing.
What remains for me is to get my loan and then very gently spring this plan on the bf. I don't think he'll get on board easily lol I need to measure out a spot and really convince him I know what I am doing. Since I will doing ALL the maintenance on a tank then I get to choose what goes into it.
I did not get off the profile if two honey gouramis can live together.. Or what ratio they can live together. If I got a 10g could I put three honey gouramis in it?? And since they are top tank dwellers, could I get 2 ADF?

I'd forgotten this is a 10g. I would say 20g or larger for Honey. I am thinking what is best for the fish. A trio of Sparkling Gourami is OK in a 10g.

Sparkling are not the gourami shape I want :/ I hate to be that way but I originally had my heart set on blues. Then dwarves and now honey. How many honey gourami can I put in a 10?

One male certainly; the problem with a pair is that the female has insufficient space to get out of the male's way, and this is sometimes necessary. And obviously two males would squabble over territory in so small a space. Two females might work, but themale is the colourful one.

Hm.. Okay, in a hypothetical 10g tank I can put in 1 male gourami . So.... Can it be a blue gourami?
And can anything go on the floor? like 2 adf?

No. The Blue Gourami--as is mentioned in the profile--attains 4-5 inches, and can grow to 6 inches if it is properly housed and cared for. No fish this size is going to be healthy in a 10g tank.

Please read the profiles. I put a lot of work into them, and the data is the combined opinion of professional ichthyologists and aquarists.