My Blue Gourami Killed Another

[Kevinator]

A few weeks ago we brought home a new blue Gourami to go with our other blue one. We noticed they chased each other around and just thought the older one was being bossy. A couple weeks later the chasing slowed down and the newer one started hiding in the plants. Then yesterday we found him dead in the plants with his fins nipped. Is this a mistake to put the 2 of them together. We have 2 kissing gouramis and they get along just fine witht the occasional chasing.

 

[SouthernCross]

You probably had two males. Blue gouramis in particular are known for being highly aggressive, and males of any species are likely to fight.

Learn to sex them, and then if you still want to try getting more - get some females. Best ratio is one male to two females so one isn't getting bothered all the time.

 

[-germ-]

In addition to SCs information i'd add that a Gourami in good health can take a serious beating.
I'd be over observant for the time being on the off chance there were other issues involved in his death; poor water condition, illness etc.
How long has the tank been set up?

Also Gourami are territorial so newcomers will often be hassled, there are methods believed to help with this, for example on introducing a new fish try re-arranging the tanks decor in order to hopefully break up the original inhabitants territory somewhat....

 

[Kevinator]

In addition to SCs information i'd add that a Gourami in good health can take a serious beating.
I'd be over observant for the time being on the off chance there were other issues involved in his death; poor water condition, illness etc.
How long has the tank been set up?

Also Gourami are territorial so newcomers will often be hassled, there are methods believed to help with this, for example on introducing a new fish try re-arranging the tanks decor in order to hopefully break up the original inhabitants territory somewhat....

Before we put him in the tank it had been set for over 5 months. The water conditions were good.

 

[starsatnight]

i'm sorry to hear about your loss and hope that i don't have a similar situation on my hands.

i learned to sex gouramis too late.... i have 3 female pearls with a 2m/1f blue trio. the larger male blue is quite aggressive and will really chase the female blue around. i'm actually thinking that i may see if the lfs will take back the aggressive male. but now the other male and the female have begun acting like kissing gouramis and locking lips. my pearls are so docile and gentle compared to the trouble-raising blues!

 

[Squidman]

its a good thing ive only got 1 blue gourami unless they attack other gouramis. He hasnt shown any agression to my others though.