Agressive Male Pearl

[Mosquitochorus]

I need a bit of advice please.

I set up my first tank in March and have a pair of Pearl Gouramies and some Panda Corydoras in there. I have to admit I was totally unprepared for how quickly they would all start breeding .
With the Pandas there is no problem as they just get on with it and the babies seem to be doing fine. However the male Gourami is now protecting a nest full of babies and has turned agressive towards everyone, which I am believe is only to be expected. My problem is I have no space at the moment to have a second tank to seperate them.

My question is if I simply remove the nest and inhabitants now (a bit harsh I know ) will the male settle down immediately or is it likely to make him worse? I don't want to do it but I have to think of the established fish first, and it will give me time to prepare for next time.

 

[Biulu]

You don't have to get rid of the babies. Just get yourself a big tupper and move the fry once they are free swimming. A simple spongefilter and heating element is enough.

If your tank is big enough, then the other fish will go out of his way and stay at the opposite side of the tank as long as necesary. No problem.

 

[Mosquitochorus]

Thanks Biulu.
Most of the Gourami fry are now in my 'tupper-tank' and seem to be doing ok. The male has settled down nicely and everyone is getting along again.
I missed a few though and spot them occasionally in the main tank. They definately seem to be developing faster then the moved majority.
The female looks like she is swelling with eggs again already. What am I going to do if they all survive, anyone know any gourami fry recipes?

 

[Biulu]

If you leave them all in your community tank, definitively only a few will survive, if any. If you want them to stop breeding, you could change the temperature a bit. You obviously have found the ideal conditions for them to breed, so tinkering a bit with it, could do the trick.

The ones left behind will probably develop faster because of infusoria in your tank, which the tupper will not have. Feeding with freshly hatched BBS in the tupper should give those fry a boost in their development as well.