Moonlight Gourami Aggresiveness

[jr1104]

Hi
I have a Moonlight Gourami, and 2 Anglefish at the moment. I used to have another Moonlight Gourami, but it was being bullied by the first one, so I had to take it out. After that it was fine for a while, but now the gourami is bullying my angelfish. They are hiding all the time, and are being fin nipped. Is this noramal behaviour for a gourami? Also, should I get rid of it, or is it just a phase?
Thanks

 

[Raven_24]

Maybe they were two males? Look into getting some female gouramis if thats the case. I find it hard to sex fish like that

 

[jr1104]

No, they were male and female, because they had different coloured scales on there underside. I'm thinking of selling my Gourami and 2 Angelfish, and re-stocking my tank anyway.

 

[jarcher1390]

what fish are you thinking of putting in there when u get rid of ya angels and gourami

 

[jr1104]

I don't know yet, I need to talk to North Lakes and see if they will buy my gourami. I'm going to sell him first, then see how my angelfish do, but I'l probably sell them aswell.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Moonlight gourami's like a lot of other gouramis have been known to be agressive towards similar fish or their own kind, which can make them difficult to stock- its also completely posible your gourami's tried to spawn which would explain the agression between them;

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=34961

How many gallons is the tank and how long and how high is it? You need to decide what fish are suitable for your tank and not just each other, angels need a lot of height to their tanks as they grow into very "tall" fish.

 

[jr1104]

I think it is because the fish are growing that the aggresiveness is just starting to show. They used to be fine, but the gouramis and the angelfish have all gotten a lot bigger, and it is only a 15 gallon tank. It's shame, since I really like my angelfish, and they are breeding as well. Any way I'd be able to keep my angelfish in this tank?

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

I think it is because the fish are growing that the aggresiveness is just starting to show. They used to be fine, but the gouramis and the angelfish have all gotten a lot bigger, and it is only a 15 gallon tank. It's shame, since I really like my angelfish, and they are breeding as well. Any way I'd be able to keep my angelfish in this tank?

Not really unfortunatly, a lot of people advise 30 to 40gallons as the minimum tank size for an angel or two, but it depends a lot on the dimensions of the tank more than anything else- at least a 2ft high tank is advised for them to allow them to grow to their full potential .
A tank upgrade would really be best for keeping the fish healthy and happy, either that or rehome them .

 

[jr1104]

I'd like to re-home them nearby so I can still see them, I'l ask and see what I can do. Do you think a Moonlight Gourami would be aggressive towards smaller fish e.g. Black Widow Tetras, Swordtails, or any other small fish.

 

[jarcher1390]

I'd like to re-home them nearby so I can still see them,

that better not be a hint to me

 

[jr1104]

Go on, you know you want to.