Can Pearl Gourami be kept single or must they be in pairs?

[nathalie1977]

I have a 29 g. with 3 clown loaches, 3 cory catfish, 15 neons, 4 cherry barbs, 3 glass fish, an upside down catfish, and a flying fox. I'm looking for a "centerpiece" fish to finish off the tank stock. This current tank has been set up for 6 months.

I had a betta before but he was a little too shy for the tank, so I'm looking for something that will be more active.

Would I be OK adding a single pearl gourami or should I get a pair? I'm afraid that because of their size, two pearls might be too much since my tank is already pretty much at full capacity.

 

[artemis]

I have a single pearl gourami in my 55 gallon, and he seems to be doing just fine. I don't think you'll have any problems adding just one - in fact, you'll have fewer problems, as gouramies sometimes harass one another.

 

[Jericho]

You may be at capacity for your tank, but a gourami can be kept alone. They recomend that you only keep one male in a tank, due to aggressiveness. Here is a Gourami web page that my help you find some information on them. Remember they grow about 4" and they are mid to top dwellers. http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/anabantids1/a/gouramicare.htm

 

[pikwik]

I have only 1 pearl gourami in my tank with 22 other fish and he is fine.