How Do I Make My Female Dg Eat?

[kaaskaas]

I've had my dwarf gourami couple for about a week and a half now. At first both of them were shy. The male is now acting normally, but the female still hides behind the filter. At feeding time, the male joins in happily, but the female still doesn't come out, and even when i put the flakes right next to her, she doesn't eat anything, or at most one or two flakes.

Now I've been thinking, since I don't want her starving, should I do anything? I've thought about putting her in a bucket on her own and giving her plenty to eat for a few mins.

Also, she continually opens and shuts her mouth. While i've read this could be because of the water parameters, i doubt it, since they're still 0-0-10.

Any tips?
Thanks

 

[MegaZerino]

I've had my dwarf gourami couple for about a week and a half now. At first both of them were shy. The male is now acting normally, but the female still hides behind the filter. At feeding time, the male joins in happily, but the female still doesn't come out, and even when i put the flakes right next to her, she doesn't eat anything, or at most one or two flakes.

Now I've been thinking, since I don't want her starving, should I do anything? I've thought about putting her in a bucket on her own and giving her plenty to eat for a few mins.

Also, she continually opens and shuts her mouth. While i've read this could be because of the water parameters, i doubt it, since they're still 0-0-10.

Any tips?
Thanks

mine is very shy to, hes only recently come out when ive put the food down, he used to hide till i went away. put food in for the other fish, then some for the gourami, then walk away from the tank, if she still doesnt eat then its something wrong with her

 

[Fishy friend2]

are you sure that its a female? it could possibly be a sub dominant male that is afraid of eating while the other one is out.

 

[kaaskaas]

are you sure that its a female? it could possibly be a sub dominant male that is afraid of eating while the other one is out.

It's silver, and they have been sold to me as a couple, so I guess so. Also, she's smaller

 

[mrlewis1978]

You would know the difference between dwarf gourami, massive colour difference (females pearly white/silver) and normally quite a lot smaller. My female was very shy at first but eventually started coming out. I think the male DG is quite dominating in most pairs. Although she has been feeding etc for the last 6 weeks he is definately the boss. I bought another female the other week which seems to have helped a lot though, as his aggression is spread. If she doesnt start feeding soon try and get another female if your tank allows it.