Aggressive Tetras And Gourami

[The Duke]

So after I took my three Angels back to the shop my male pearl gourami seems to have become "head fish" and is chasing the platies. Not sure what he would do to one if he was quick enough. Also, I have a relatively new stock of black widow/black skirt tetra - 5 in total. I have noticed they seem to be aggressive too, I watched a couple of them nipping a guppies tail which eventually died. What do you think? Take the tetras back (that's if I can catch them) or add a few more (I have read they are more peaceful in bigger groups)

I was thinking - maybe if I went out and bought 1 or 2 bigger fish they would keep things in check and maybe the other fish would be less aggressive. Thinking of putting a gold severum in, just one. Thoughts?

 

[Ruskull]

So after I took my three Angels back to the shop my male pearl gourami seems to have become "head fish" and is chasing the platies. Not sure what he would do to one if he was quick enough. Also, I have a relatively new stock of black widow/black skirt tetra - 5 in total. I have noticed they seem to be aggressive too, I watched a couple of them nipping a guppies tail which eventually died. What do you think? Take the tetras back (that's if I can catch them) or add a few more (I have read they are more peaceful in bigger groups)

I was thinking - maybe if I went out and bought 1 or 2 bigger fish they would keep things in check and maybe the other fish would be less aggressive. Thinking of putting a gold severum in, just one. Thoughts?

If it were my choice I'd keep the Pearl as head honcho & rehome the Platys and the Guppies. You might try adding a female Pearl or 2 so he's busy playfully chasing them instead of the other fish. I would also add 3 Black Skirts because 6 is really the minimum for Tetras & some, like Black Skirts and Serpae, prefer even larger groups so their minimum is better with at least 8.

 

[The Duke]

Thanks ruskull. I have a female pearl in with the male. Really don't want to lose the platies as they brighten up the tank with their vivid orange colours. I wonder if putting another female in would help so there are two females?

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

There is no easy solution here, you could rehome the aggressive male Pearl Gourami, but then the female Pearl may become fiesty or the Platties may feel they have a shot of becoming "top fish" instead. Black Skirts do have a nippy reputation at times, upping the group to ~10 may help them concentrate on their conspecific hierachy and leave tankmates alone.

 

[balajake]

Severums need a lot of room as they grow big. They aren't aggressive fish but can hold their own if needed, they will see your smaller fish as food though.

 

[Ruskull]

Try another female Pearl first, the add a few Black Skirts. Another idea is to drastically change your tank's layout to allow for more hiding places & territories. This is a big tank right, like 45 gallons if I remember correctly? Not much you can do to get the Tetras to respect the Guppies...............

If that doesn't help you'll probably have to choose between the Pearl Gouramis & the Platys, and possibly the Skirts & the Guppies. May I suggest another tank for all the livebearers? They'd probably do fine in a 10-20 gallon with some Corys.