Lethargic Pearl Gourami: Help!

[zeke the black ghost knife]

I recently got a pearl gourami a few months ago, and hes doing okay, except for one thing. He only comes out at night, and in the day stays in a certain place of the tank, the dark end of my cave. Only at night he feeds and appears, and just skims the surface of the tank lethargically. I am extremely worried. Please help!

 

[Tuxyu3]

What is the tank size and inhabitants?

 

[zeke the black ghost knife]

What is the tank size and inhabitants?

three long fin zebra danios, one swordtail, two dalmation lyretails, a red tail black shark, a dojo loach, one sunburst platy, and the tank size os 90 US gallons.

 

[Tuxyu3]

Does the red tail black shark seem particularly aggressive or boisterous? If you have fish who are extremely active they may be scaring the gourami, although mine get along fine with my long fin zebra danios. They do not like bright light or strong water currents, does this apply to your tank?

 

[zeke the black ghost knife]

Does the red tail black shark seem particularly aggressive or boisterous? If you have fish who are extremely active they may be scaring the gourami, although mine get along fine with my long fin zebra danios. They do not like bright light or strong water currents, does this apply to your tank?

the Red Tail Black shark only chases him rarely, and when he does its only for a second or two. Generally they leave eachother alone. the water current is not too strong, but the light is bright. The only thing about that is I almost always leave the light off.

I think the most likely problem is my Red Tail Black shark, but I am moving him when he grows larger.

edit:

Just read that pearls are labyrinth fish. I thought that him swimming only at the surface at night was a bad sign ^^'
But I know they don't do well with aggressive fish, but, can they actually die if they are?

 

[Tuxyu3]

Does the red tail black shark seem particularly aggressive or boisterous? If you have fish who are extremely active they may be scaring the gourami, although mine get along fine with my long fin zebra danios. They do not like bright light or strong water currents, does this apply to your tank?

the Red Tail Black shark only chases him rarely, and when he does its only for a second or two. Generally they leave eachother alone. the water current is not too strong, but the light is bright. The only thing about that is I almost always leave the light off.

I think the most likely problem is my Red Tail Black shark, but I am moving him when he grows larger.

edit:

Just read that pearls are labyrinth fish. I thought that him swimming only at the surface at night was a bad sign ^^'
But I know they don't do well with aggressive fish, but, can they actually die if they are?

The shark will not physically kill the gourami but if he stresses him out to much the pearl will hide (like you are describing), often in a corner, lose colour, refuse to eat, potentially fall ill and then die. To be honest mine are in a bright light tank but they have plant cover so do fine, I would remove the shark as soon as possible. Always try to make sure there is always a calm, sheltered area of the tank your pearl can site to.

 

[zeke the black ghost knife]

The shark will not physically kill the gourami but if he stresses him out to much the pearl will hide (like you are describing), often in a corner, lose colour, refuse to eat, potentially fall ill and then die. To be honest mine are in a bright light tank but they have plant cover so do fine, I would remove the shark as soon as possible. Always try to make sure there is always a calm, sheltered area of the tank your pearl can site to.

Which is why he hides in that cave. Sadly my shark is extremely fast and agile, and small, that after countless attempts, my father and I decided to wait for him to grow larger so we can catch him easier. He will probably stay in the tank for a whole 'nother year
My only hope is that my Red Tail stays in his driftwood home at night, and I am able to somewhat feed Arwen (my gourami.)

 

[Tuxyu3]

I know it sounds extreme but you could always strip the tank down to the substrate is the only thing there and either corner him or use two nets, one to guide him into the other.

 

[zeke the black ghost knife]

I know it sounds extreme but you could always strip the tank down to the substrate is the only thing there and either corner him or use two nets, one to guide him into the other.

As strange as this sounds, I have tried that and even that failed. I want to attempt again at the next big tank cleaning.