Normal Gourami Behavior?

[jcabs100]

I bought 2 female opaline gourami today is it normal for the male to chase one female more then the other...also how aggressive are opaline gourami

 

[Ruskull]

Opaline Gouramis are the same as Gold, Blue & Three Spots. They are all aggressive. What size is the tank & do you have some hiding places? A male might chase one female more than another because he has the hots for her or because he thinks she's nasty looking................

From my experience it's common and hopefully just playful, hunting & chasing behavior. If it gets worse you may have to remove the male because removing the female will probably just lead to the male chasing the other female.

 

[jcabs100]

Its a 55 gallon and well I just planted some plants but there are some hiding spot one of the female gourami likes to hide behind the filter...the other one just roams around and when the male sees her he chases her to the other side

 

[Ruskull]

Well the tank size is more than good enough. I'd say don't worry about it as long as the male isn't actually biting or hurting them. It's kinda normal for him to establish territory. I had a very aggressive Gold Gourami that chased everything that came anywhere near him.

 

[jcabs100]

He doesnt chase everyone he just chases after the female gourami one more then the othe but with eveyone else he isnt bothered

 

[Ruskull]

He doesnt chase everyone he just chases after the female gourami one more then the othe but with eveyone else he isnt bothered

It's just a theory of mine but I think the male probably wants a little action from that female & she's like "no way, not until you build me a nice bubble nest"




He probably favors that particular female over the other. Should be no big deal unless he's actually nipping her or she's getting very stressed.

 

[jcabs100]

Well its funny because I feel like they taunt him and when he sees they swim fast and hide well idk if its nipping but he does chase them and when he gets close the female scatters quick hes sometime gotten to the female...what would be some signs of the females being stressed because this is already day 2 and the females are swimming about there buisness but when they get to the males territory the male of course chase them

 

[Ruskull]

Well its funny because I feel like they taunt him and when he sees they swim fast and hide well idk if its nipping but he does chase them and when he gets close the female scatters quick hes sometime gotten to the female...what would be some signs of the females being stressed because this is already day 2 and the females are swimming about there buisness but when they get to the males territory the male of course chase them

Serious signs of stress are like if one hides all the time or hangs out only by the filter tube/heater. Not eating, or socializing with the other fish, stuff like that. Really bad cases can lead to Ich breakouts or other bad things because the fish's immune system is lowered.

If yours swim around a stuff they're probably fine. My male Pearl chases the female quite often but he only mouths at her and she shows no damage. Sometimes she does hide though, like she needs a break. In turn the female Opaline chases the male Pearl on occasion like she's sticking up for the female Pearl!

 

[jcabs100]

Well one hides alot behind the filter but when it comes to feeding time she's eating normally she comes out on occasion but then goes back to hiding but other then that I see no stress

 

[jcabs100]

Are females also aggressive