Blue Gouramis Chase

[Marto666]

Last week I purchased 3 Blue Gouramis who have all settled in well. However, I have noticed that one of them seems to very frequently chase another one (same pair all the time).

What is going on there? Is it some sort of territorial battle? How come the third Gouramis is never involved?

Thanks

 

[minnnt]

What sex are they Marto?

 

[Marto666]

Hi minnnt

I don’t actually know – they were just labelled as ‘Blue Gouramis’.

How could I find this out?

 

[minnnt]

Are they the dwarf gourami's or not? Don't know too much about any other kind so may not be of any help. lol.

 

[Marto666]

No, they are not of the dwarf variety.

 

[minnnt]

lol, ok mate. Are the one chasing and the one not involved 'friendly' i.e. could be a pair and the other one is seen as a rival so is chased off?

 

[Marto666]

Yes, that’s what I’m thinking. I’m just hoping it doesn’t become too brutal!

 

[KittyKat]

Trichogaster trichopterus? One male and two females can usually live in a 4ft tank. If you have any more than one male or your tank is smaller, they will eventually kill each other. Please research before purchasing live animals.

 

[Marto666]

The 3 were together in a 1.5ft tank on their own when I bought them – obviously that would not send out alarm bells or cause any concern for me if the professionals kept them like this.

My tank is 350L so should easy be big enough.

Do you have anything else to add kitty kat – i.e. how I could sex the Gouramis?

If it transpires I do have 2 males I could confidently march back to the retailer to point out their error.

 

[KittyKat]

Retailers would never be able to sell fish if they were kept in a good environment there. LFS tanks are usually so badly suited for the fish that the fish do not display their natural behaviour. Also, do remember that LFS are there to make money, we do not get anything out of you.

Males usually have a pointier dorsal fin, females have a rounded dorsal and a fuller tummy.. but it can be very difficult to tell.

p.s. the gouramis should grow to about 6" long, with age.

 

[Marto666]

I appreciate that but surely the LFS wouldn’t be able to keep fish/sell fish together that would ultimately destroy each other?

Thanks, I will check. I have noticed that the 3 are identical so would imagine they are all of one type.

Cheers for the advice.

 

[KittyKat]

I appreciate that but surely the LFS wouldn’t be able to keep fish/sell fish together that would ultimately destroy each other?

You'd be at surprised.. there are many factors involved. Apart from what I mentioned before, you should also keep in mind that young fish are often not at all aggressive and aggression can easily be triggered by a move.

Thanks, I will check. I have noticed that the 3 are identical so would imagine they are all of one type.

I should probably mention that females without a male can be a bit aggressive too, so you shouldn't automatically assume that they are all male just because they are fighting.

Best thing I can offer is trying to sex from photos and a photo of the whole set-up to see if that could be the cause.

 

[Marto666]

I appreciate that but surely the LFS wouldn’t be able to keep fish/sell fish together that would ultimately destroy each other?

You'd be at surprised.. there are many factors involved. Apart from what I mentioned before, you should also keep in mind that young fish are often not at all aggressive and aggression can easily be triggered by a move.

Thanks, I will check. I have noticed that the 3 are identical so would imagine they are all of one type.

I should probably mention that females without a male can be a bit aggressive too, so you shouldn't automatically assume that they are all male just because they are fighting.

Best thing I can offer is trying to sex from photos and a photo of the whole set-up to see if that could be the cause.

Thanks Kat.

The move could of easy triggered this behaviour then.

They sound just as bad as the ‘ladies’ in Swindon town centre on a Saturday night!

I will try get some pics up later when I pop back home. Just need them to sit still for a second too.

Cheers

 

[MBOU]

Male Opaline/Blue Gourami

http/www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http/aquaworld.netfirms.com/Labyrinthfish/Trichogaster/Trichogaster_trichopterus_tn.jpg&imgrefurl=http/myaquariumfish.blogspot.com/2008/02/trichogaster-trichopterus.html&usg=__MR0ErS8mptwqay8e41Q8tifGANY=&h=465&w=629&sz=54&hl=en&start=13&zoom=1&tbnid=qtmsD-85BvvuFM:&tbnh=121&tbnw=158&ei=pending&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dmale%2Bopaline%2Bgourami%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D564%26gbv%3D2%26tbm%3Disch0%2C450&itbs=1&iact=rc&page=2&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:13&tx=76&ty=71&biw=1024&bih=564

Female Opaline/Blue Gourami

http/www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http/badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/misc_pics/Shari_opaline_female.jpg&imgrefurl=http/badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile84.html&usg=__D03fmdYAESzZknLb0HR-Ajf28YU=&h=240&w=320&sz=18&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=4rpU4tWSk5jxUM:&tbnh=135&tbnw=199&ei=6f-3TayAG9Kr8APXobkv&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dfemale%2Bopaline%2Bgourami%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D564%26gbv%3D2%26tbm%3Disch&itbs=1&iact=rc&page=1&ndsp=12&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0&tx=101&ty=78


Notice the difference between the two Dorsal fins, on the male it is long and reaches the base of the tail (in juveniles, it wont be so long but you will be able to tell that the dorsal fin is pointed and growing towards the tail), the females dorsal fin is much shorter and rounded and doesnt nearly reach the tail. The female gouramis usually have a much bulkier rounded belly giving them a "fatter" appearence.

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That said, looking at what you said and your problems, the shops reason for keeping them in amuch too small tank is fairly obvious Shops turnovers are pretty fast, nothing stays in the small tanks for too long. Keeping them in the smaller tank means no territory and not enough chasing space = less aggression. Especially as when bought in, shops often have 20-80 odd gouramis per bag going in a tank... and you think you have a problem with 3?!

Shops generally have systemised filtration so the tank might me 30-40 litres but might be part of a 4000 Litre system.... The filtration would be far more efficient than that of a single tank.

 

[Marto666]

Thanks very much for the images MBOU, I shall have a closer inspection later but it should be fairly obvious with your method. I’m starting to think (using memory) I may have 3 males.

If it is the case that the shop sold me 3 males (the only 3 they had), I would be totally appalled and will be marching straight back down there. I bought the 3 as they had an offer on of 3 for £10.