Lately, my male Golden Gourami has started to chase my female Golden Gourami and now her fins are ripped ( will they grow back? ) I don't know how to prevent this. I don't have another tank to put the dangerous male in, so what should I do? 
My Male Gold Gourami Is Attacking My Female!
- Thread starter boblus
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TammyLiz
Fish Herder
Two is a bad number with gouramis. I have been advised on this forum that you must go with either one or three or more. With only 2, the stronger picks on the weaker, usually until death. If you have three, the male will divide his aggression between the two females so each will get picked on half as much as a single one would.
How big is your tank? A smaller tank and overcrowding will increase aggression, also.
You'll need to do something immediately or your female will die. Your options include getting a second female, or giving the male back to the pet store.
Tammy
How big is your tank? A smaller tank and overcrowding will increase aggression, also.
You'll need to do something immediately or your female will die. Your options include getting a second female, or giving the male back to the pet store.
Tammy
My tank isn't actually that big and considering it has loads of other fish in it ( see my signiture ) will that add to the males aggression? If it carries on I think I'll have to take him back to the pet shop.
What would happen if I had two females? Would they attack each other or are they less competetive?
Will her fins grow back?
What would happen if I had two females? Would they attack each other or are they less competetive?
Will her fins grow back?
TammyLiz
Fish Herder
Yeah I saw your sig but it doesn't say what size your tank is. Why are you being so vague about the size? Even your profile just says "I have one tank".
Females are less aggressive but two is still not a good number because the same issue can occur with the less dominant one being picked on.
Her fins will grow back but if they were nipped too short won't be the same as before.
Females are less aggressive but two is still not a good number because the same issue can occur with the less dominant one being picked on.
Her fins will grow back but if they were nipped too short won't be the same as before.
TammyLiz
Fish Herder
You can measure it and post the measurements to find out the size. Or you could type the measurements into one of the online calculators.
If it is 70 litres you really need to get one of those gouramis out of there or the female is going to die, either this week or next month, but I can't see how she would survive long term. The male will consider the entire space to be his territory and he'll feel cramped enough to be very unforgiving of any intruders.
I can't help but mention the clown loaches, too. Did you know that they'll outgrow your tank? There are some in captivity that have grown to 12 inches (30 cm) and lived over 40 years. If that is how long they could live and how big they could grow, it doesn't seem fair to feel satisfied with keeping them five or eight years and 6 inches long in a small tank and say they lived a long happy life. I have a 55 gallon tank and decided not to go with clown loaches because I felt my tank was too small, although I would love to have them... in 18 gallons like yours the problem is much worse. I understand LFS employees don't tell us these things. Thought you might want to know.
Tammy
If it is 70 litres you really need to get one of those gouramis out of there or the female is going to die, either this week or next month, but I can't see how she would survive long term. The male will consider the entire space to be his territory and he'll feel cramped enough to be very unforgiving of any intruders.
I can't help but mention the clown loaches, too. Did you know that they'll outgrow your tank? There are some in captivity that have grown to 12 inches (30 cm) and lived over 40 years. If that is how long they could live and how big they could grow, it doesn't seem fair to feel satisfied with keeping them five or eight years and 6 inches long in a small tank and say they lived a long happy life. I have a 55 gallon tank and decided not to go with clown loaches because I felt my tank was too small, although I would love to have them... in 18 gallons like yours the problem is much worse. I understand LFS employees don't tell us these things. Thought you might want to know.
Tammy
I should take the male back to the pet shop then and might consider taking the Clown Loaches back too. They seem to be fine and healthy but I guess I should stop talking about them in an Anabantoids category. 
I could always get another tank for the Clown Loaches?
I could always get another tank for the Clown Loaches?
TammyLiz
Fish Herder
Yes, you could get another tank for the clown loaches. If you have money and space for a 75 gallon tank go for it! It would be worth it if you like them. You could even move your gold gouramis in there with them if you want. Get a couple more loaches and another female gourami and you'd have a great setup. Or you could return the gouramis and go with rainbows for the upper part of the tank. I would enjoy having a tank like that! 
Check out loaches.com, click on the species index and find clown loaches. There are some great pictures of some very large clown loaches.
Tammy
Check out loaches.com, click on the species index and find clown loaches. There are some great pictures of some very large clown loaches.Tammy
I already have an old, rather large tank so they could go in there! Yay, I'm so happy!About your three-spots - it would be best to return the male and just stick with the single female (ie don't replace the male).
Whilst getting another one or two females could work, even female three-spots tend to be aggressive and adding new fish to an established one usualy leads to trouble. Besides which, you don't realy have room for 2 (or more) three-spots in your tank.
Whilst getting another one or two females could work, even female three-spots tend to be aggressive and adding new fish to an established one usualy leads to trouble. Besides which, you don't realy have room for 2 (or more) three-spots in your tank.
TammyLiz
Fish Herder
Can you measure your "rather large" tank to find out how many gallons or litres it actually is? It might be a good idea to make sure its big enough before deciding to keep the gouramis and the loaches.
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