Female Opaline Chasing Other Female Opaline

[wetdude92]

in my 20g tank, i have a redtail black shark, 2 female opaline gouramis(for sure f) and 4 platys, the tank has a lot of plants and tubes for hidding. they are all fine with each other except for the fact that one opaline won't stop chasing the other one. i have had the gouramis for about 2 weeks now and they havent seemed to have settled down. the one being chased is barely small than the other, and its colour is lighter blue and its 3 spots are more faded than the bully, which i'm assuming is from the stress. Would it be a good idea to try adding another gourami, male or female? or perhaps to find one of them a better home? (they are both about 4 inches long already, and it would be no problem for me to find another one about their size, maybe not another opaline but a gold one for sure)

 

[KittyKat]

How big is the tank?

How do you know that they are both female?

Whatever you do, it is probably not a good idea to add a different species of gourami.

 

[crazychris]

Usual problem of one opaline chasing another, though males are usually worse. If I were you I'd take one back to the lfs as that's the only way you'll stop it for certain. Buying more may only increase the problem. I've had the same problem and removing one is the solution.

 

[wetdude92]

Usual problem of one opaline chasing another, though males are usually worse. If I were you I'd take one back to the lfs as that's the only way you'll stop it for certain. Buying more may only increase the problem. I've had the same problem and removing one is the solution.

ya i talked to the guy at the LFS, who seems to be a very knowledgeable guy, and he also said it would be best to seperate them since they are a solitary species and are territorial. rather than take one of them back tho, im gonna give the quieter one to my friend, that way ill still be able to see how she's doing and then my shark can keep the bully in line lol

 

[wetdude92]

hmm...would a gourami be ok to have with a coupla dwarf frogs?

 

[KittyKat]

On the whole, it is best not to mix frogs and fish.

Why don't you get some corys (if your substrate allows) or some plecos?

 

[crazychris]

Yes a small group of corydorasm say 4 or 5 of the same species would be better than frogs.