Pearl Gouramis

[Spooky76]

Hi all,

I have a 48x18x15 tank, well stocked with plants. I have a Pearl Gouramis who is huge. He seems to bully alot of the other fish. He tries to hog all the food and regularly chases the dwarf gouramis and smaller tetras around the tank.

I have some smaller fish who have mysteriously died, like Mr and Mrs Siamese fighter and I dont know whats doing it.

Could it be him ? I would hate him to go because he was my first fish and has lived through all the problems ive had.

any help would be appreciated.

Stu

 

[stang1]

Were your fighters in the same tank? If so the that could have been a problem in itself. Males and females should never be kept together as they attack each other. Also, Gouramis and fighters should not be kept in the same tank for the same reason.
I'm afraid some Gouramis can be bullies and are territorial. You could try adding a couple of females and see if that helps the aggression but to be honest you are probably best trying to rehome him.
What other fish have you lost? Could you tell us your water stats?

 

[Spooky76]

Were your fighters in the same tank? If so the that could have been a problem in itself. Males and females should never be kept together as they attack each other. Also, Gouramis and fighters should not be kept in the same tank for the same reason.
I'm afraid some Gouramis can be bullies and are territorial. You could try adding a couple of females and see if that helps the aggression but to be honest you are probably best trying to rehome him.
What other fish have you lost? Could you tell us your water stats?

Hiya.
I only put the male and female in together for a day, with a view to trying to breed eventually...my mistake.
I have lost a guppy and some rummy nose tetras.
Water is great, did it on Monday
PH 7
Ammonia 0
Nitrate and Nitrite were very low. < 1ppm
General hardness and caron hardness were spot on, but I dont do them very often.
I have 2 filters which I clean regularly, 1 external biological and 1 internal mechanical.

Thanks
Stu

 

[stang1]

Your nitrites need to be 0, any higher and it could cause problems for your fish.

 

[Spooky76]

Yeh - I havent been able to change the water for a bit longer than normal, because my loaches have got white spot, and while I treat it I shouldnt be changing the water.

Usually they are at the minimun the card with the test kit shows, I think its white not pink, which is either 0 or OK according to the API kit.

Stu

 

[sylvia]

Do change the water. In fact, you must and it will help get rid of the ich. Just replace the ich meds for the volume you've removed.

 

[Spooky76]

Ah right. I didnt know that.

Thanks for the info