Newbie Question..........

[seanmcn]

I have an adult 'Swordtail' who has started to nip my 'Gourami' (who is new), is there any way I can stop this little #### from doing this ?

What are the little black & orange fish down the left hand side of the forums page ?

 

[FBF]

I have an adult 'Swordtail' who has started to nip my 'Gourami' (who is new), is there any way I can stop this little #### from doing this ?

What are the little black & orange fish down the left hand side of the forums page ?

the little fish you refer to are clown loaches. a great fish for a community tank (which it sounds like you have) they prefer to live in groups of three ideally but can be kept alone. they will restrict the types of treatments you can put in your tank although im pro natural so feel thats only a good thing. what gourami do you have? im guessing its a dwarf gourami if its being picked on as most are semi aggressive and wouldn't stand for it. i would wait it out little maybe a week or two and see how things develop. if you see heavy damaged on the gourami then remove one of the fish. swordtails are not usually aggressive but it has been noted in written work that sick or ill fish can be picked on as the tank mates see them as a danger or threat.

hope this helps?
Dan

 

[cujoho78]

Hi. You might try rearranging the decorations in your tank as this sometimes diverts their attention. The new surroundings get them exploring around and sort of force the territorial ones to reestablish their territories. How big is your tank? If it is on the small side, some fish can get more territorial in small tanks when they start to get on the crowded side. That is something else to remember. Other than that, just watch to make sure that the gourami doesn't get picked on too much or start to get fin/ scale damage because they are prone to bacterial infection and can get sick and die from it. I lost one that way one time and it's kind of a shame because they are nice fish. Hopefully over time they will learn to get along. Just make sure it doesn't get out of hand. Good luck.

 

[seanmcn]

Hi. You might try rearranging the decorations in your tank as this sometimes diverts their attention. The new surroundings get them exploring around and sort of force the territorial ones to reestablish their territories. How big is your tank? If it is on the small side, some fish can get more territorial in small tanks when they start to get on the crowded side. That is something else to remember. Other than that, just watch to make sure that the gourami doesn't get picked on too much or start to get fin/ scale damage because they are prone to bacterial infection and can get sick and die from it. I lost one that way one time and it's kind of a shame because they are nice fish. Hopefully over time they will learn to get along. Just make sure it doesn't get out of hand. Good luck.

Thanks for the advice folks

 

[trace1]

also the clown loaches get big & need at least 75 gallon tanks, they don't do to well in smaller tank

 

[FBF]

also the clown loaches get big & need at least 75 gallon tanks, they don't do to well in smaller tank

this is true but they live for 50 years and grow incredibly slowly.