Dwarf Gourami Fighting

[jimmyringo]

I've had 2 dwarf gourami for a week now.They were sold as a male and a female but the 'females' colour has really come out as a beautiful blue since coming home.Also the pointed dorsal makes me think i've got 2 males.
They both became very territorial straight away but in the last 24 hours they've started attacking each other.its only happened once or twice and nobodys been hurt yet,but i'm thinking should i take one back to the shop and only keep one.i want a peaceful tank.

Maybe get a couple of Rams then??

 

[Joshy]

Hmm yeah by the sounds of it, i would suggest taking one back, a pain in the backside i know.
Any pictures of your setup up bud, it does not sound to far off from mine.

Thanks

 

[jimmyringo]

No pics but i'll try to do a couple when i get time.Gonna pop up to LFS and have a word at lunchtime.

 

[jimmyringo]

Still fighting at lunchtime,so i bagged one up and took it back to LFS.Explained what was going on and the wee fella was grand about it.He gave me £4 off my next purchase,which was great cos it only cost me £3-50

Then i bought 2 German Blue Rams.Took a long lunch and got them into my tank.Can't wait to get home.Is it just me or does anybody else have this fear with new fish, that when you go back to look in your tank they'll be gone

 

[Joshy]

Haha good stuff.
How are the rams doing, still there haha!?
Im really keen to see some photos bud!!
PM me them if possible.

Thanks

 

[Biulu]

How big is your tank? And is it planted/with enough hiding places?

For next time: count on around 30 litres (10 gallons)/gourami and make sure there are enough hiding places (preferably plants) so each can lay out their own territory. If you are adding gouramis in a tank where there are already gouramis, it is a good idea to change the decor around so all of them start off in a new environment.

Even so, sometimes you do get a very agressive dwarf, and then yes, your only option is to change the agressor for another fish.

 

[tangokitty]

Is it ok to only have one grourami?

 

[fishncan]

One gourami is fine. I only have one and he is happy, healthy, and has a great outlook on life

 

[Athena]

Still fighting at lunchtime,so i bagged one up and took it back to LFS.Explained what was going on and the wee fella was grand about it.He gave me £4 off my next purchase,which was great cos it only cost me £3-50

Then i bought 2 German Blue Rams.Took a long lunch and got them into my tank.Can't wait to get home.Is it just me or does anybody else have this fear with new fish, that when you go back to look in your tank they'll be gone

Hi - just wanted to say that from experience, GBRs are quite sensitive little fish, especially when they are new additions to a tank. So, my advice is to keep a special eye on them, watch for signs of whitespot or fin clamping as they are prone to these.

Also, watch for any colour changes in them as that's a good indicator of problems. If they seem to be darkening (charcoal blackish colour) then it means they are unhappy/stressed with water conditions/environment or are sick. I've even witness my female GBR change colour just because I put flakes in the tank at feedtime (she doesn't eat those but the other fish do) and I think she probably thought she wasn't going to get fed LOL. A while later I fed her with frozen food and a short while after eating, her colours had picked up beautifully again. Little fusspot, eh?

Athena