Giant Gourami? Oscar? stocking help.

[Lynsey]

Hi everyone. I was very into this hobby 10 years ago, I moved from coast to coast, and now would like to put some cichlids or a giant gourami in my now goldfish pond. Being a cichlid freak, the goldfish are not cutting it. I like them, but they are not the same as an interactive Oscar etc. I am thinking of adding a couple of heaters and putting some cichlids in there (not with the goldfish). Thinking about an Oscar, giant gourami, some blood parrots, and a big pleco. Not really sure how to stock it. Are giant gouramis interactive like Oscars? I want something that isn't going to be too mean and attack me everytime I put my hand in there. Also, I don't want jumpers as much as I can avoid it. I also love catfish. Right now I have 5 baby marbled hoplo catfish in there. I love them because they come up and feed right from the top. I realize they might be too small though. I was hoping to get all of these fish as babies to help them get along. I am totally open to any suggestions. Plus I am a pleco freak. I really wouldn't even mind just having one giant gourami (aquatic pet) and whatever would make him happy. Also, will they eat my water lilies? Not a big deal if they do, just wondering.

My pond is about 86" long x 21" wide x 31" tall. About 250 gallons. I have an AQUA ULTRAVIOLET ULTIMA II FILTER for up to 1000g. I also have a uv sterilizer and a waterfall. I think the filtration is really good for a pond that size. I do weekly water changes.

 

[Lynsey]

Also, I was wondering if the red tail giant gouramis stay smaller? are they as interactive? I also like the pinks.

 

[doyboy]

Iv found over the years that red tail gourami tend to stat smaller then the pinks greys and albino but that's not saying they don't get big, I would say the 21" width will be a problem long term with a gg, it dosnt take the gg long to hit 12-14" easy and the 21" width would soon be very tight for the gg. Your probably fine they will eat your plants as most of mine have always loved there greens.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

 

[Adamrhh]

Yeah I'm at work so I didn't read all of it but yes, Giant Gourami are really interactive.

Sent from mobile app.

 

[Gar88]

I have come to realize GG are best kept in a viewable front glass pond or a big tank. The reason I say is cause of the change in behaviour I noticed after I shifted my GG's one pink and one grey to the pond. They became very skittish unlike how they behaved when they were in the tank.
I am shifting one of my GG back to the tank as its more fun watching them like that than to see them hide.

All your plants will be demolished if you keep a GG. And Ive had very bad experience with the oscar combo. They somehow cant stand each other.
Never kept the red tail so cant comment on that.

Some red/orange oscars in that pond would be nice IMO.

 

[Duncan6618]

I have come to realize GG are best kept in a viewable front glass pond or a big tank. The reason I say is cause of the change in behaviour I noticed after I shifted my GG's one pink and one grey to the pond. They became very skittish unlike how they behaved when they were in the tank.
I am shifting one of my GG back to the tank as its more fun watching them like that than to see them hide.

Same thing happened with mine. Very bold and interactive in the aquarium but now that he is in the pond I rarely get to see him as he always goes to the opposite side of the pond to keep away from me.

 

[Lynsey]

Thanks guys. I found a little 4" pink gourami. I think I will try it for now. If he needs a bigger home I can make it later. My pond has an umbrella over it and hopefully it will feel safe. For now, I left my goldfish in the pond. I figure he might eat some or he may leave them. Right now he is too small to eat anything. I thought it might make him feel safer with other fish swimming around. I am planning on just having him and a catfish or pleco and possibly a goldfish or two if they don't get eaten (I'm ok if they do). I know that gouramis can tolerate temps down to 68, but I plan on heating to like 72 in the winter. Otherwise my pond is 80 or above in the summer. Right now it is 78. What catfish can go in there that would get along with a giant gourami? A friendly catfish is what I am looking for. Also, can a common pleco tolerate 72 in the winter?