I have two Gouramis

[Angel Lady]

I think they are trying to breed Please would someone please tell me what kind of behavior should I be looking for ??? I think mine is trying to mate but I am not for sure.

 

[ScoutCarcer]

What kind of Gouramis do you have?

 

[pica_nuttalli]

the male gourami will blow a bubblenest (like a betta's) when he is ready to breed. a bubble nest looks like a large clump of bubble ( ) and should be a couple inches around AND a half-inch deep or so.

 

[sylvia]

BUT, depending on the species, different gouramies will show different breeding behaviours. Some ggouramies don't even build a bubblnest. Also, you may be mistaking aggression for breeding behaviour and there's also the possibility that you don't even have both sexes.

Can you tell us what species you have, how many, what sexes, what size tank, whether you have floating or tall-growing plants, the behaviour you are witnessing, what you feed your fish and whether you have a strong or weak current and the temperature of your water for starters? Also, knowing what other fish you have in with them and how many may be important as it might influence their behaviour and, also, your pH would be useful to know.

 

[Angel Lady]

Banded Gourami they both seem to have the same colors but one is a little bigger than the other one. They are in a 20 gallon long tank if that helps in with plenty of places to hide and a lot of fake plants also.

 

[sylvia]

If they have the same sort of coloration they are the same sex. If they are males, you may be seeing some territoriality. Sexing them is quite simple, besides the color, females are wider and deeper-bodied. Looking down on them from above helps with this. Also, males have longer fins and a more pointed dorsal.

 

[Angel Lady]

I finally found out which ones I have But now here is what I want to know. One of the fishs fins are smaller made than the other one. Still not sure what sex

I fouind this one here this is exactly what I have...

 

[sylvia]

Are you sure that's what you have? That's not a banded gourami - that's a paradise fish. The males have longer fins than the females so that's probably what you're talking about. Make sure you don't have 2 males - they'll fight in just a 20 gallon. The males are also more colorful but not a realy obvious difference with these.

 

[Angel Lady]

Yes they are the paradise fish I look them up and that is what they are but they are seem to be doing a whole lot of fighting.

 

[sylvia]

I have to say, that isn't surprising. Paradise fish are rather aggressive and don't tolerate their own kind well. Especialy if you happen to have 2 males. You should seperate them if they are fighting or they WILL kill each other. Return one to your LFS or re-home it ASAP. You shouldn't realy keep 2 in anything less than a 30 gallon though many people try (sometimes it's possible if you plant the tank heavily and keep a trio - 1 male, 2 females - or a particularly calm pair). If you have males, even in a 55 gallon it would be asking for trouble. They are somewhat like bettas IME.