Is my betta stressed by the super active dwarf gourami?

[flavioso]

I've recently set up my first fin tank after buying it on a whim the day my dog passed away. I've had aquariums before, but that was years ago, so I'm not a complete newbie, but definitely no expert either.

My little tank's got a double half moon betta named Sparrow - he's my absolute favorite, three panda corys, three cherry barbs, and a powder blue dwarf gourami. They're all living in a cozy 10-gallon tank with some amazon swords, moss, moneywort, and big rocks. I'm thinking of adding two more corys and maybe some tetras, but I'm worried the tank might get too crowded.

I've been reading nonstop and learning a ton. I feel like I've gotten to know Sparrow's personality really well, even though it's only been a week. I'm super excited for this journey and it's been helping me deal with my grief. Any advice or tips would be amazing - thanks in advance!

[flavioso]

I've got a 10-gallon tank with a pretty interesting mix of fish - my double half moon betta Sparrow, three panda corys, three cherry barbs, and a powder blue dwarf gourami that I added recently.

From what I've read, some people are hesitant about keeping bettas and gouramis together, but so far, my tank seems to be working out okay. I don't see any fighting, except for the cherry barbs playing with each other, and no nipping. It's all pretty peaceful.

My gourami is a different story, though - it's incredibly active. This fish is always on the move, zooming across the tank and swimming in circles around the rocks. I'm starting to think it never sleeps. It's also got a huge appetite and will try to eat all the food before anyone else can get to it.

Sparrow, on the other hand, is much more laid-back. He's shy and cautious, but still curious about his surroundings. What's worrying me is that the gourami's constant activity might be stressing him out. I don't see any obvious signs of stress - no stripes, his fins are fine - but he does seem more hesitant to explore the tank with the gourami zooming around all the time. Just a few minutes ago, the gourami basically ran over Sparrow while doing his rock circles.

So, I'm wondering if it's okay to keep the gourami in the tank. Am I just being too cautious, or is my gourami really stressing Sparrow out?

[sSjey]

I think it's great that you're doing your research and reaching out for advice, flavioso. First things first, have you been testing for ammonia and nitrite every day? Your tank is still in the process of cycling, so it's crucial to keep an eye on those levels. I know it's only been a week, but it's better to be safe than sorry. If either of those levels show above zero, you should do a water change to get them back down.

The plants you have in your tank will definitely help with that, but it's still important to monitor those levels closely. I also want to mention that I'm a bit concerned about the fish you have in your tank. I know you're excited about your new additions, but bettas are typically not community fish, and they shouldn't be kept with gouramis. A 10-gallon tank is perfect for a betta on its own, and if I'm being honest, I think Sparrow would be much happier without the gourami.

I know this might be a lot to take in, but I think it would be best if you could get another tank, at least 20 gallons, for the gourami and the other fish. That way, they'll have plenty of space to swim around and thrive. I know it's a big investment, but trust me, it'll be worth it in the long run. Seriously Fish is a great website for research, and they have some really helpful articles on the fish you have. I'd recommend checking out the profiles for the dwarf gourami, cherry barb, and panda cory. They'll give you a better idea of what each of those fish needs to thrive.

[CasCat]

I'm afraid the tank you have is just way too small for all those fish. I know it's hard to hear, but panda cories really need a group of at least six to thrive, and they require a minimum tank size of 20 gallons. Similarly, cherry barbs need to be in groups of six or more, and they need a tank that's at least 20 gallons too.

A dwarf gourami also needs a 20-gallon tank, and as it matures, it's going to become very territorial. Unfortunately, that means your betta is going to lose out, since it's slower moving.

If I were in your shoes, I'd consider getting a 20-gallon long tank and stocking it with a single dwarf gourami, six cherry barbs (with a male-to-female ratio of 1:2), and six to eight panda cories. Meanwhile, I'd keep your betta in its 10-gallon tank, since it needs warmer temperatures than the barbs and cories do. The ideal temperature for your betta is between 78-82°F, while the barbs and cories do best in temperatures under 77°F.

[sSjey]

I've merged two threads so all the replies are in one place now.

[flavioso]

I really appreciate your advice - it's exactly why I created this account, to get the best for my tankmates. I'm now even more confused, though, because I've spent hours talking to the fish experts at my local store, and they all told me it would be fine to keep them together. I've been thinking about rehoming my gourami, and this just solidifies my decision. I don't even want my money back; I just want them to be happy.

I do have some questions, though. My gourami is already about 2-2.5 inches in length, and from what I was told, they don't get much bigger than that. My barbs are all male, and they seem to get along really well - my friend has all females, and they fight more than my guys. I've also seen community tanks with bettas, and even some with bettas and gouramis.

I'm not sure what to do, because I don't have space for another tank, especially not a 20-gallon. I don't have a test kit yet, but I'm getting one tomorrow morning. I've been monitoring them closely, and so far, they seem happy. Should I really keep my betta completely alone, with no other creatures? Mine seems to get along well with the corys, but I guess the tank itself is the issue.

My priority is my betta, so I'll do what I need to keep him happy and healthy. I know this was a hasty setup - I was grieving the loss of my dog - but I'm doing my best to catch up. Any other tips and advice would be great.

[CasCat]

You might want to consider corydoras hastatus as an alternative, but I'd advise you to check your water's general hardness first - bettas can be quite unpredictable in community settings, and it's always better to err on the side of caution.

[sSjey]

I've recently set up my first fin tank after buying it on a whim the day my dog passed away. I've had aquariums before, but that was years ago, so I'm not a complete newbie, but definitely no expert either.

My little tank's got a double half moon betta named Sparrow - he's my absolute favorite, three panda corys, three cherry barbs, and a powder blue dwarf gourami. They're all living in a cozy 10-gallon tank with some amazon swords, moss, moneywort, and big rocks. I'm thinking of adding two more corys and maybe some tetras, but I'm worried the tank might get too crowded.

I've been reading nonstop and learning a ton. I feel like I've gotten to know Sparrow's personality really well, even though it's only been a week. I'm super excited for this journey and it's been helping me deal with my grief. Any advice or tips would be amazing - thanks in advance!

Don't take the shop's word for it, most of them are just trying to make a sale and don't really know what they're talking about. Always do your own research so you can verify the information. I learned that the hard way, and I'm still trying to figure things out.

Seriously Fish is a great resource, and I wish I had found it sooner. Their website has a lot of information on different types of fish and what they need to thrive. I've been using it to learn more about my fish and what I can do to help them.

It's better to be safe than sorry, and doing your own research can help you avoid making mistakes that can harm your fish. I know it's a lot to take in, but it's worth it in the end to make sure your fish are happy and healthy.

[Dewsoft]

I've recently set up my first fin tank after buying it on a whim the day my dog passed away. I've had aquariums before, but that was years ago, so I'm not a complete newbie, but definitely no expert either.

My little tank's got a double half moon betta named Sparrow - he's my absolute favorite, three panda corys, three cherry barbs, and a powder blue dwarf gourami. They're all living in a cozy 10-gallon tank with some amazon swords, moss, moneywort, and big rocks. I'm thinking of adding two more corys and maybe some tetras, but I'm worried the tank might get too crowded.

I've been reading nonstop and learning a ton. I feel like I've gotten to know Sparrow's personality really well, even though it's only been a week. I'm super excited for this journey and it's been helping me deal with my grief. Any advice or tips would be amazing - thanks in advance!

Hi everyone, I'm new here but I couldn't help but jump into this conversation. I know it's a bit old, but I'm curious to know what you ended up doing with your tank. I've been reading through the replies and there's some great advice in here. I've heard that bettas and gouramis are related, which makes me think they could work together in a tank. However, I do agree that having two males might not be the best idea. I have to disagree with the idea that bettas can't be in community tanks though - I had one in a community tank when I was a kid and it worked out fine. I've got an old fish book that I'm going to dig out and see what it says about it.

I'm actually dealing with some issues with my own dwarf gourami right now. I lost one a few days ago and I'm left with a female who's a bit of an oddball. I'm in the process of setting up a new fluval 15 and I'm learning all about cycling for the first time. It's a lot to take in, but I'm excited to learn and get everything up and running smoothly.

[Dewsoft]

I think it's great that you're doing your research and reaching out for advice, flavioso. First things first, have you been testing for ammonia and nitrite every day? Your tank is still in the process of cycling, so it's crucial to keep an eye on those levels. I know it's only been a week, but it's better to be safe than sorry. If either of those levels show above zero, you should do a water change to get them back down.

The plants you have in your tank will definitely help with that, but it's still important to monitor those levels closely. I also want to mention that I'm a bit concerned about the fish you have in your tank. I know you're excited about your new additions, but bettas are typically not community fish, and they shouldn't be kept with gouramis. A 10-gallon tank is perfect for a betta on its own, and if I'm being honest, I think Sparrow would be much happier without the gourami.

I know this might be a lot to take in, but I think it would be best if you could get another tank, at least 20 gallons, for the gourami and the other fish. That way, they'll have plenty of space to swim around and thrive. I know it's a big investment, but trust me, it'll be worth it in the long run. Seriously Fish is a great website for research, and they have some really helpful articles on the fish you have. I'd recommend checking out the profiles for the dwarf gourami, cherry barb, and panda cory. They'll give you a better idea of what each of those fish needs to thrive.

I totally agree with this advice, I learned the hard way too. The guy I bought my fish from was willing to replace the ones that didn't make it, but it's clear they're more concerned with making sales than ensuring we get compatible and healthy fish.