Oh oh...

[dylema]

Just recently we got two dwarf gouramis, we think one male and one female (from fin shape). Anyway, we noticed that round-fin was a bit bossy and aggressive towards the other gourami. I thought that usually the males were the aggressive ones? Furthermore, the fish I assume to be female has developed to a darker blue around the face and on her fins (ie, where she was a lighter blue has gone darker).
NOW I look at someone has taken a couple of nips at her tail so I guess someone bit back! Oh and someone has also shredded a danios tail (we know they are not the best tank mates but it's a big tank and to date they seemed to pretty much ignore each other).
Can anyone shed some light on the situation?
Thanks in advance.

 

[dylema]

Ah ok... think we've worked it out.... round fin is in fact male, he's made a bubble nest and all! Just got a very femminine fin that's all!
Still doesn't explain the colour darkening tho

 

[sylvia]

Color changes like that are normal - fish often 'color up' when placed in a favourable environment. Also, in future, keep in mind that sexing dwarfs gouramies is as simple as looking at their color - the silver ones are female, the colorful ones are male (some females are also yellowish-brown or a very pale, pale blue). The fins with dwarfs also work different than with other gourami species - females tend to have fins that are simply not long while those of a male, especialy as he matures, will extend backwords and he'll develop a 'bulbous' anal fin. The edge of the dorsal may be pointed but it is also often quite rounded.

 

[dylema]

Thank you Sylvia. I had read that there are colour diffferences but the LFS thought they had given us a male and female T'hey're normally pretty good so I trusted their judgement!
So assuming we have two males, is there going to be a major problem keeping them together in a tank 3 foot long? Is that a bit small?

 

[sylvia]

I assume the 3 foot tank is about 30 gallons? That should be more than enough for a couple of dwarfs. These are territorial fish but they are generaly quite peaceful anyway and most chasing is harmless. Your tank is certainly big enough for them - in fact, you could even fit a couple more (not that I suggest you do - just saying it is possible - the fish do deserve all the space they can get for their comfort and to minimise stress).

 

[dylema]

The tank is about 80L, not sure what that is in gallons...
It's very tempting to put in a female too

 

[Ethos]

I'd say put a female in.....that might ease the tention alitttle bit....but it might also cause more fighting, but its a risk you might wanna take..

 

[sylvia]

No, don't put a female in.
Your tank is 20 gallons (approx. 80 litres).
You should never keep gouramies (except some of the most peaceful ones), in a ratio where you have males out-numbering females. It not only increases aggression between the males but also stresses the female as the chasing cannot be shared out between several fish and, therefore, can cause serious problems for her.
If you wanted to put in females, you should get at least 2, prefferably more. Idealy, 1 male to 2 females is best.
Now unless you are prepaired to take back one male and replace it with 2 females (we established both your current fish are males right?), you don't realy have the room in this tank to add 2-4 more gouramies.
BTW, if one of your fish IS a female, adding another female is fine. But I think both of yours are male after all?
I should add that keeping younger fish in skewed ratios is fine as the aggression realy starts to develop as they mature. However, most dwarf gouramies mature quickly and are sold nearly or fully grown so trying this is not a good diea (especialy if you've already witnessed signs of aggression).
My advice to you is that, if you notice the aggression ebcoming worse, you should take out one of the males and replace him with a couple of females (or don't replace him at all). Keep in mind that females can often be difficult to find as their duller colors make them less profitable for LFSs to stock. Don't be fooled if your LFS shows you smaller dull dwarf gouramies and claims they are female. The color may develop later and you'll realise you actualy have mroe males.

 

[dylema]

Everyone has settled down and chasing has slowed, WHEW! Maybe they just needed a little time to sort themselves out?
On the lookout for confirmed female gouramis!