May Sound Like A Stupid Question.....

[Azaezl]

I have 2 gold gouramis which keep...well how else can I put it but it's like they are kissing each other. I know that kissing gouramis show this sort of behaviour(hence the name) but do any other types of gourami do this? They are both female(as are the other 2 gouramis in the tank, 1 blue 1 opaline) so I'm pretty sure it's not some sort of male display type thing(I'm terrible with words!) like with kissing gouramis. Anyone have any ideas what they are up to?

Thanks for reading

 

[sylvia]

All those fish - blue, opaline and gold - are the exact same species - Trichogaster trichopterus (three-spot gourami). The only difference is color. What sexes are they all?

This behaviour is very aggressive and you should be worried. If they don't stop, you need to consider seperating them.
Try rearranging the decor, adding more plants - particularly floating species and lowering the temperature (very gradualy) to a min of 77 deg F. It may also be worth feeding them at opposite ends of the tank to reduce conflict.

Kissing gouramies also 'kiss' when fighting - as do many cichlid species.

 

[Azaezl]

Thanks for replying

They are all female, orginally I just had the blue and the opaline and the blue was picking on the opaline so I got the golds, making sure I got 2 females. They've all been fine with each other, they've done this kissing thing a couple of times but then after that they are fine with each other and they all swim around quite happily. They don't nip each other or chase each other or anything so it was a bit strange to suddenly see this behaviour.

There's not really enough space to add more plants, I need some floor space for my senegalus, I'll try re-arranging things see if that helps and try and get some floating plants. The temp is 78F, do you think dropping it to 77 will help at all? I always put a small amount of food at opposite sides of the tank they just gulp up what they can get they don't appear to be bothered if the other is near by when they are eating.

I don't have another tank I could put 1 of them in so I guess I'd have to get rid, and if I was gonna do that I think I'd have to get rid of all of them as I'm sure the aggression between the blue and the opaline would start up again.

 

[sylvia]

How big is your tank? The aggression must be due to hierarchical disputes. Adding even more females would counteract this further. Having said that, if it's only occassional, they should be fine anyway.

I understand about the plants but maybe add some floating species? Lowering the temperature might help but chances are it varies up and down slightly anyway so 1 degree may not make any difference.

 

[Azaezl]

It's a 55gal (48 x 16 x 22), I have 2 senegalus bichirs and 2 bn plecs so fully stocked so more gouramis are out of the question. They do seem to be fine with each other 99% of the time and just ocassionally they'll do this. I'm gonna try and get some riccia or maybe duckweed to stick in there, maybe that will help.

Thanks for your help