Dwarf Gourami Vs Guppies

[Mias]

Hi everyone,
I am new to tropical fish keeping and just got a male blue dwarf gourami and 5 male guppies in a 4.5 gal tank.
I got them from a reputable dealer who didn't see a problem with this starter tank and mix of fish.
All the fish seem ok health wise, feeding ok [Aquarian flakes], the guppies are not struggling for air but they will not venture lower than the top of the tank whilst the gourami uses the whole tank and I have observed the Gourami frequently charging at them but not appearing to cause injury.
I tested the water for nitrite and it is fine and heated to 24c.
At night when lights are out all goes calm and each finds a place to rest but I am concerned that the guppies will get stressed out living like this and suffer ill health.
I have read that guppies can behave this way when placed in a new tank or is it going to persist whilst housed with the gourami ?

 

[snake007]

Welcome to the forum
What is your exact parameters?

Your tank is too small for those fish.

 

[creeker]

That tank is a bit small for the Dwarf Gourami, and actually a little crowded with him and the five guppies. Male Dwarf Gouramis can be a bit pushy like that, and in that tank the guppies may have trouble keeping out of his way. My suggestion is to rehome the Dwarf Gourami. I hope you cycled your tank or have mature media in your filter. If not you are definitely going to see the effects of ammonia and nitrite first hand. Even just the five guppies is a pretty heavy bioload for that little tank.

 

[Mias]

Thanks for the advice guys.
I will have to rehome the gourami which is a shame because he is a beautiful little fish and I guess his temperament would be fine in other circumstances.
Will the situation be ok for a few days or do I need to take swift action ?

BTW,
the tank has been on fishless cycle for 2 weeks prior to fish being added.

 

[creeker]

I would do it today, just for the fact that I fear you're going to have water quality problems here soon, if not already. Your tank is no way cycled after just two weeks. Were you adding ammonia to the water?

 

[KittyKat]

+1 the tank is too small, what are the dimensions? Realistically, the tank is only big enough for a single male Betta and/or some shrimp in the long term.

The fact that the gourami is bothering the guppies is stressing the guppies out, even if you can't see it yet. It would be much better to do something quickly, but if it takes a few days, then it takes a few days.

What exactly are your test results and which kit are you using?

p.s. a normal fishless cycle takes 4-6 weeks and involves the addition of household ammonia to the tank. Sitting tap water in a tank for two weeks doesn't really do very much

 

[colleen0309]

Good morning and welcome to the forum!