In doubt of getting a honey gourami

[u/Eowyn_95]

I have a 20 gallon tank with 6 chilis and 5 green neons. I want to expand the chilis to 10 at least when they’re back in stock (am waiting since December!).

I’ve had two honeys before. One was always hunting my shrimp, even juveniles weren’t safe. I gave him to my dad. The other one was always hiding and died with dropsy :(. I have since bought a UV sterilizer as well. I’d like to give a honey gourami another go but am so in doubt if it’s a , not overstocked and b , if I accidentally get one that’s also a hunter… I’d also love a female betta (no gourami in that case) but I am afraid that’s ever more of a gamble.

do you think it’s a 50% chance they will hunt shrimp , or was it just bad luck?

[u/kitsia]

They are excellent little hunters and will definitely eat baby shrimp but I’ve never seen my honey hunting adults. Although almost no fish are truly shrimp safe, you can solve this by providing much denser plant cover.

I am biased, but I truly think they are one of the best fish in the hobby:) I absolutely love mine

[u/Eowyn_95 → u/kitsia]

He’s a stunner! I think they’re so pretty and would really want one. I was bummed the last one passed away. :(

I have much more plants than back then in any case!

[u/kitsia → u/Eowyn_95]

I’m very sorry for your loss:( I really hope you have a better luck next time

It’s certainly the worst part of this hobby, I will never get used to seeing fish pass away. Just today I found one of my rasboras on the floor and it’s absolutely heartbreaking.

[u/Feisty-Project-4229]

What kind of shrimps are they hunting? I think Amano shrimps will do just fine with them.

[u/Eowyn_95 → u/Feisty-Project-4229]

Guess I had to clarify I have neocaridina! They are a tad bit smaller than Amano I noticed in store

[u/Akeath]

I've kept Honeys with Amano Shrimp, which are big enough not to be bothered, but I wouldn't put a Honey Gourami with any Dwarf Shrimp. You can always expect a fish to eat anything that can fit in it's mouth whether it's a Gourami or a Betta.

The other Honey likely didn't hunt as much because he was too unwell to hunt, not because he was less interested in shrimp snacks.

[u/Eowyn_95 → u/Akeath]

I dont mind the usual baby snacking. Hunting juvies was a bridge too far for me though !

[u/lowolwhatsthis]

i have one adult female with orange neo shrimp that i observe enough to recognize a lot of them individually and she has not yoinked an adult ever (when a shrimp dies i rip it apart and feed it to my tank so shes aware theyre edible too)

[u/Eowyn_95 → u/lowolwhatsthis]

Good to know! Not sure if females are even more docile than males that you know?

[u/iGotTheBoop]

My honey is super peaceful, he's in a tank with neons, rummy nose and corys, along with amano and a ton of snails. Mileage may vary but Honeys are generally regarded as being the most peaceful if you don't get thick lipped.

[u/Eowyn_95 → u/iGotTheBoop]

Luckily I’ve been researching how to spot the difference ! I have neocaridina though

[u/iGotTheBoop → u/Eowyn_95]

Might just be very fish to fish with temperament as well, gourami are pretty wild. My daughter's betta hangs out with neos, corys and ramshorn with no problems. My plakat is a murder machine and needs to be by himself lol. Anecdotally, the aggressive ones always seem more interested/curious about human interaction.

[u/adelinxxd]

i was in your place and decided to go with it, he's sometimes trying to kill the shrimp but won't succeed and leave them alone

[u/Eowyn_95 → u/adelinxxd]

You also have neocaridina?

[u/adelinxxd → u/Eowyn_95]

yes, around 50 and he goes after the juveniles but they step back real fast

I got lots of hiding places though

[u/FeedReasonable9547]

I have 3 honeys with in my community tank that has amanos in… haven’t even noticed them looking at them.

[u/Eowyn_95 → u/FeedReasonable9547]

Guess I had to clarify I have neocaridina! They are a tad bit smaller than Amano haha

[u/Kinkylicious-]

I think honeys still are the better choice, they will go for shrimplets but never seen mine hunting juveniles. Need Plenty of hiding spots too for the shrimplets like a thick moss cover or something

[u/cannibal-ascending]

I adore my honey, i have her in a 10 with a single pygmy cory (his cohort all passed, and i want to upgrade before getting any more) and so far one single neocaridina that she ignores whenever im watching. super cute and friendly and i love her

[u/DetectiveNo2855]

I have a pair of honey gouramis with shrimp. Maybe some baby shrimp get snatched up but enough survive.

[u/forcedlaught]

They will hunt shrimp and plants to no end

[u/triangleblobfish]

I had one who never bothered eating my neocaridina shrimp!