Dwarf Gourami And A Molly

[Miralore]

Hi,
I was just wondering if anyone can give me some advice? I've had a dwarf gourami and a molly in the same tank for a week now, I got them at the same time and up until a day ago they seemed to be the best of friends in the tank. They are the only 2 fish i have in a 60 litre tank. Now it seems like my molly is afraid of the gourami, its hiding all the time and whenever the gourami is near it he'll swim away. As far as I've seen the gourami isnt actively agressive towards my molly, he's only gone near him a couple of times and doesnt seem to be nipping or anything. Would getting another molly make my original molly feel safer? Any help would be really appriciated

 

[Shelby]

How long has your tank been set up? Was it cycled? What type of maintenance are you doing? Have you checked your water stats? What type of test kit do you have? When fish don't feel good they tend to hide. It could be sick or you could have bad water conditions and multiple things could be going wrong. Definitely more information is needed.

 

[Miralore]

How long has your tank been set up? Was it cycled? What type of maintenance are you doing? Have you checked your water stats? What type of test kit do you have? When fish don't feel good they tend to hide. It could be sick or you could have bad water conditions and multiple things could be going wrong. Definitely more information is needed.

My tank has been set up for just over 2 weeks now. I had everything up and running for 4 days before adding the fish and I got the water tested at the aquarium place and they said it was perfect. I went back to the place yesterday and he said I can try adding more Mollys and if that doesnt work I can bring back the dwarf gourami, although im hoping it doesnt come to that

 

[robryb]

Some Dwarf Gouramis can be territorial. It could that it took him a few days to get used to his surroundings and establish his terrotory, now he's defending it.

If your water stats are ok, and the Molly doesnt show any signs of sickness, it might be worth introducing a few others, so that the Molly doesnt get picked on all the time. If you introduce a few more and the Gourami goes for them, you'll know you need to rethink your tank stocking.

 

[orangefish]

Your tank needs more than 4 days to cycle before adding fish. Do you have a test kit where you could post water stats- as has already been reiterated- your fish may be unwell? I have learned through personal experience that a lot of LFS's will do anything to get you to buy more fish, which is why they may have told you that your water was fine I would also suggest adding some more molly's, but be prepared to take the gourami back if that doesn't work. Good luck!

 

[Shelby]

So a new tank uncycled. Your fish are probably suffering from bad water conditions unless you are doing daily water changes? The gourami needs to go back to the store. They are very sensitive fish (I learned the hard way) and prone to disease. An uncycled tank will kill it.

You are in whats called a fish in cycle. Read through the links below to figure out how to deal with your tank to make it healthy for your fish

FISH IN CYCLE

FISHLESS CYCLE