ornate bichir ok with a giant gourami

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Compatibility, the reality
When asked "will they get along ?" Sometimes the answer is as simple as yes or no, The truth is we speak in generalities some fish in theory should be ok together some not.The long broad sweeping statements are flawed as they are generalities I think we all know generalities are just opinions , but because we are dealing with animals each with its own personality its flawed.This question is harder with predatory fish, due to their natural habits ,predation! where they naturaly feed on the smaller , the weaker and the sick, claim territory and defend it . The actual answer is we don't know it's our best guess that they should or shouldn't get along.I know one of my bichirs is highly agressive which is completely different from what i have been told, so he's in his own tank , my others all conspecifics seem fine together which is oppisite from what i have read and been told. Its a case of trial and error to some extent and depends on the individual animal. When introducing a new animal into the territory of an established animal try rearanging the tank it tends to remove reference points for territoriality but most important watch for trouble and stop it before it goes to far.
 
I've got an 8.5" RTGG in with my polypterus collection that ranges from small 6" sens, to a 12" endli

I've got a handful of different species as well, and I have no issues with the GG.
 
Keep in mind that some fish may change temperments as they age. For example, a nice, innocent little cichlid can become a mean, ugly oscar before you can turn around. Be careful.
 
groovitudedude;1506438; said:
Keep in mind that some fish may change temperments as they age. For example, a nice, innocent little cichlid can become a mean, ugly oscar before you can turn around. Be careful.

Very true. Other RTGG I've kept in the past started off fine but once they got in the 8-11" range started developing nasty attitudes towards other cichlids I was keeping them with.
 
When I first introduced my Giant Gourami into the tank with my Senegal Bichir, he would constantly pick at the Bichir. The Giant Gourami now picks on the Bichir a lot less. If you do buy the Bichir, keep an eye on both fish and separate if there are any issues.
 
I'll assume it completely depends on your Gourami. We had one as a store pet for about a year that came from a 450gal mixed African Cichlid tank. In there, it was raised for many years, and all the while with Peacocks, Mbuna, Loaches/Botias, Red Parrots, and catfish varieties. By the time we got him, he was 24-25" long, and we kept him isolated in his own tank, cautious he might become aggressive in a smaller tank than he came from. We ended up keeping small/medium Plecos and ~3" African Cichlids in the tank with him without any problems, so ours must have been a tame + gentle giant, or too old and large to bother attacking. Hope that helps.
 
i had an ornate bichir with my albino gg before i moved. the gg was aggressive towards everyother fish except the bichir. so id say yes. but it depends on your gg.
 
MonsterFishKeepers.com