Nipping Male?

[Elrohirthehasty]

My friend recently bought a m/f pair of 3-spot gouramis. They are the only inhabitants in their tank, and the male bullies the female. Her tail is thrashed...
What is the best solution?

 

[smegforbrains]

If the tank is big enough, three or four more females

 

[helterskelter]

This is a very common problem with these fish.

As smegforbrains say's you need to give them more space, and/or more females to harass, the stress is then spread out over all the fish and reducing the amount on any one female.
Also adding more hiding places can also help giving here more places to hide when she needs to get away.

 

[christophoro1]

OR just seperate them if all else fails however only as a last resort!

 

[pippoodle]

what size tank are they in ?
they are recommended to be in 200 litre (44 imp gallons , 52 us gallons) minimum tank
they also need plenty of plants and like caves - as hiding spaces

the female needs hding spaces so that she can still share the tank with the male without her encroaching on his territory all the time

if the tank is a lot smaller than the recommended then maybe rehome them and go for honey gouramis instead