Dwarf Gourami

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I purchased a male Neon Blue Dwarf three days ago; day one: he hid behind the filter and other numerous spots away from his tank mates (as expected when first introduced). Day two: was less shy and swam openly numerous times, however, I noticed he'd constantly swim up and down the left side of the tank along the glass. Day 3: Doing exactly as mentioned, stopping or moving to other spots only on occasion (in particular, feeding time and when he gasps at the surface). He rarely leaves the glass on that particular side.

Is this normal? He looks healthy. Perhaps he's merely reacting to his own reflection and has claimed that spot as his own? My tank is a 20 gal Aqua One AR510, with numerous plants and subdued lighting (plant cover along the surface). There are 6 Neons and 4 Black Neons concurrently, and none of them ever bother him.

 

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I was observing him just now, and out of nowhere, he swam vertically into the gravel (bending his body), furiously darted around the tank for 2 seconds, before reclaiming the left side, doing what he does best.

?

 

[Waterbox]

My Dwarf Gourami did that too. He just swam back and forth accross the front of the tank all day long.

I don't know what caused him to do this, but I do have a lot more hiding places and plants in my tank now, and he hardly does it anymore.

 

[SouthernCross]

Does he gasp at the surface a lot? Or just when he goes up momentarily to grab air through thhe labyrinth organ? I see you mentioned gasping in your first post. If he does it a lot its likely your tank has low oxygen - an airstone might help.

Keep an eye on him - dwarfs have a bit of a bad rep atm. It's likely he might get sick on you.

 

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No, just momentarily. Perhaps I was a little premature with my enquiry; he's since ventured to other areas of the tank, exploring the glass up and down like he's done previously. Perhaps it's just habitual? Nevertheless, he doesn't seem particularly bothered, and looks very healthy. Touch wood

 

[Straydum]

its just not used to your tank yet. this behavior is observed in new fishes.

 

[Maximumbob]

I agree.. sounds like settling in behaviour to me. The gasping sounds like breathing to me. That funky labyrinth organ is so amazing to watch - especially when they take a breath and go down to the bottom and 'breathe out' (so to speak).

 

[Straydum]

honestly u'd prefer such behavior than new fishes who just sit there and stare somewhere, like how my new senegal is doing now. i'm getting worried.