Pearl Gourami Behaviour

[CherryNova]

We added 3 Pearl Gourami to the tank today. I had chosen them because a.) they are rather pretty and b.) I had heard they had a more pleasant temperament. Do they heck! I had asked for 2 females, 1 male but in the shop they were a little stressed so their colours weren't showing and they are quite young so it was very difficult to sex them. We agreed to take them and let them calm down for a few days and then see what we had and return any trouble makers. Well after a few hours (and a successful feed) everyone has calmed down a little and turned into nippy little sweeties. 1 in particular is harassing the other 2, but it is targeting one in particular.

The tank is relatively large (300L) and has plenty of plants/ bog wood in for fish to hide in. Should I just leave things be for a couple of days and see if things settle? Perhaps this aggression is just them sorting out a pecking order? Or have I ended up with 2 males... Any feedback on your own experiences of pearl gourami temperament is much appreciated.

 

[Tuxyu3]

Got any pictures?

 

[CherryNova]

They are being too skittish to get pictures of just now. I will try and update tomorrow with some though when everyone have chilled out a bit.

 

[Tuxyu3]

Ok Its hard to say without pictures but it could be multiple males, breeding behaviour, establishing a pecking order or any number of things. I f no pictures can you get a video?

 

[CherryNova]

Ok Its hard to say without pictures but it could be multiple males, breeding behaviour, establishing a pecking order or any number of things. I f no pictures can you get a video?

Here we go with some picture. Sorry I only managed to get a semi decent picture of one of them. The other 2 are a bit moody in front of the camera...

 

[Ruskull]

Pearl G's are normally very docile, but males will chase the females and obviously any other males they deem to be competition. They usually don't cause any damage, but the first pic you posted shows a small chunk of fin missing. To be honest your Pearls are quite young so it's hard to determine whether they're male or female. Males have a very pointed, longer length dorsal fin & females have a shorter, rounded dorsal. Males also have fringes on the ends of their anal fin, females do not.

 

[CherryNova]

Hmm I suspected they would be too young to tell their gender but thank you for trying anyway. Things seem to have settled a little. I will keep a close eye on them in the mean time.

 

[Tuxyu3]

I'm happy for you in as much as things seem to have settled down, let's just cross our fingers and hope it stays that way