Can a Blue Johanni Cichlid be housed with two kissing gouramis?

Question

We need to find a home for one of our cichlids that is causing problems in our tank. He is an adult blue johanni cichlid. I know that cichlids should usually be housed together due to aggression, but a relative of mine has a 72 gallon tank that only has two kissing gouramis (both are slightly larger then the johanni at around 6-7 inches) and two coricats. I thought that this might be a good option since the gouramis are so aggressive. Let me know what you all think but no rude comments! Afterall, we all have things to learn and so do those that post ignorant responses.

Answer 1

I don't believe this is ideal for your fish. Cichlids have different water requirements than general community fish, and I could see battles ensuing over territories. The cories will probably become lunch fairly quickly.

I would suggest bringing the cichlids to your local fish store and ask for some kind of store credit in return. Know how much they're worth before you go in there though.

Answer 2

I don't know where fishaholic gets her information from, but it's clearly totally anecdotal at best.

What is not being considered here is that Gourami are mostly surface level fish and Johanni are Mbuna types.  It's totally misleading to say cichlids can only go with other cichlids, so I must have missed that day in African Cichlid Breeding 101, as my three main tanks, 180, 100, and 75 ALL have community fish in them, and my 100 has a Malaysian Golden Jardini with a pair of Snakeskin Gourami, along with a male Pseudotropheus Flavus, female Labidochromis Caereleus, and female Compressicips.  

I see no reason why in a 72 which is likely to be a bowfront tank, can't occupy these two.  A Johanni is an aggressive type, but a Johanni is a Mbuna, (rock) fish and will stay lower in the tank, where the Gourami will stay higher in the tank.  More then likely, the tank isn't even set for the conditions the Gourami would prefer, let alone what the Johanni would prefer.  You know what?  SO WHAT.  You know what water parameters are like?  Here's an example.  When they say Ph ranges it's like say for Africans 7.8 all the way up to 8.3.  That's a pretty wide open range, but Africans can be in lower PHs I just wouldn't go under 7.5 is all.

It's not totally necessary to have these conditions but it is ideal.  I'm not saying there is no importance at all as I do keep my Africans in African Rift lake conditions, but I breed mine.  In your case, you're not trying to breed anything.  I see no reason why you couldn't move the Johanni out.  I'm curious though, just what exactly is the problem it's causing.