Opaline Gourami Help Needed

[babybell911]

Ok so I got a female and male blue opaline gourami from a pet store. In the store they got along fine and now in my tank (which is the same size if not bigger than the one they were purchased from) the male won't let the female come out at all. He bullies her the whole time. Would it be sensible to get rid of the male or get another female to share out the bullying? Thanks

Aslo I don't mind just having one gourami (i'd prefer to keep the female) but someone told me they don't do well alone? Will she be ok?

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

I'm afraid a male will chase her all the time. You'd be better with another two females so he isn't just chasing her. Obviously it does depend on your tank size. If you don't have enough room then I'd say take the male back.
P.

 

[TammyLiz]

I feel like any one of mine would be happy to be the only gourami in the tank.

 

[sylvia]

Three-spots do fine on their own. Adding another female would help, of course, but only if your tank is at elast 30 gallons and you need to keep in mind that, if they were to breed, the male may become particularly aggressive and is perfectly capeable of killing any of his tankmates (not just 'his' female gouramies). If you don't mind keeping just one, removing the male is a good idea - she certainly won't mind.

 

[babybell911]

Thanks everyone I think I'll take him back then he's bullying my juvienile swordtail female too.

 

[babybell911]

Well I called the pet store this morning and they said they'd kindly take him off my hands so he's off today and my girlie can start enjoying her life again!

 

[Rynoah]

That's good to hear. I've seen what can happen when a girl's left in too long with an "abusive boyfriend". Enjoy your fish!

 

[babybell911]

She's loving life now always out front and swimming around she likes to run her feelers over your finger if you put it on the glass it's kinda cool bless her!

 

[sylvia]

Thats wonderful! I'm glad to hear everything worked out