Opaline now dominant

[Briarmoor]

Despite buying the least assertive opaline gourami in the tank at the LFS, she has now taken over the 55g after living there a couple of weeks. She is not vicious, but will "guard" the pleco's algae tablet, especially running the 2 Pearls off from that area. I am coming to the conclusion that it is just 3-spot nature. Sometimes the Pearls swim with her, so it is not that bad, but the opaline is territorial, especially over food, just like my gold one is. I can only wonder what will happen when I add the gold to the 55g. One of the Pearls sometimes chases the other Pearl, so they are not totally peaceful either. All are females.

One of the Pearls gets right down with the Pleco while it is eating the algae tablet and picks too. Sometimes the Pearl gets so overzealous, she is under the pleco's mouth and it stops eating for a time until the Pearl goes up to get air. I have to wonder how patient the pleco is, but seeing its big sucker right over her always makes me cringe. So far it is very docile about the whole thing.

P.

 

[Ethos]

Hmhmh....You sure the opaline is female? I have an opaline in a tank with a pearl and a Gold, and it seems to be the one that stays out of everyones hair, or in their case, fins .

(PS, Shes a female. Are you sure yours is? I'd assume males would show that kind of behaviour, especailly with the rest females.)

 

[sylvia]

Hi

I'd also be inclined to ask if you are certain they've been sexed correctly. However, I'm pretty sure you've probably got it right and this sort of behaviour is to be expected somewhat anyway. The opaline was bound to take over the tank and be dominant over the pearls. What will happen when you add the golden is difficult to predict. I would re-arange the tank before you do so though and then make sure you watch closely. As they are both female and as they are different strains, the aggression should be less but do expect the larger of the two or the one more familiar with the environment to be dominant and chase the other around a bit. Also, are the 3 gouramies in the 55 gallon now the same size? I remember the gold was the first so you were letting the other 3 catch up in size before adding her but I wonder if the fish already in the 55 are different sizes to each other as that (at least as you're saying the 2 pearls aren't entirely peaceful) would also make a difference. BTW, the pearls showing a little bit of hierarchical aggression is also normal and I wouldn't expect any serious trouble from them.

 

[Briarmoor]

My plan is to let the younger gouramis grow some more before adding the Gold although she just seems to keep bulking up. I don't know if they will catch up the way she liked to eat.

As with the Gold, it is food that seems to precipitate the chasing. The Pearls don't chase each other as much now and the Opaline just acts up right after feeding time when there might be morsels floating around that are HERS. Yes, I am sure she is a girl. Just pushy like the Gold. I don't know why I keep getting the aggressive gouramis?

Should I be concerned over the Pearl picking with the pleco? Will it probably stay docile over her eating "its" food? I have never heard of one going after another fish, but I don't think most fish get their whole bodies under pleco suckers either.

I will be sure to move plants around, etc before adding the Gold. Since the Opaline has taken over and is familiar, I wonder if I should add the Gold while she is bigger so they will be equal in a sense?

The Pearls are shyer and still hide while I am cleaning. My once shy Phantoms come to check out what I am doing as do the Black Neons. I had to lightly push the pleco to the side to vaccum last week...and it didn't even run away, just lay there as I vacuumed next to it. What a change from when everyone was first added! The Opaline is simply in the way although not as bad as the Gold is when I clean that tank. The little neons even come over and inspect when I clean their tank. Nice to know everyone is settled in, even if their true meanness comes out then.

 

[sylvia]

I think the plec issue should resolve itself. I'd think he'd start chasing her away if she annoyed him rather than actualy attacking her so she'd learn in time to stay away.

As for putting the gold in while she's bigger to make them 'equal'. It's probably best not to try this. You see they'd be 'equal' for the first week or so but once the gold settles in she'll become a real bully towards her smaller tankmates.