Two Golden Gourmari

[kevinjaddison786]

I recently bought two bigish gold gourmari. The lfs was selling them in pairs. Im not sure how to sex them, but assume one is a male and one is a female?? Do you think the is how the lfs would sell them? One of them in constantly chassing the other! If im right would it be a good idea to get another female?? Please help!!Thanks

 

[kevinjaddison786]

sum 1 please help!!

 

[SouthernCross]

Gold gourami's are known to be a more aggressive type of gourami - add to it males tend to constantly harass females for mating and you end up with a situation like you have now.

Gourami's tend to work best in trios - one male to two females, so you are right, if you get another female (provided you have the space) then the male can divide his time between the two, which means one poor girl isn't getting stressed all the time - she can get a break .

Also ensure your tank is big enough for them all to have their own established territory to hang out in.

To check that you do have a pair - if they're mature enough a reliable method is to look at the dorsal fins - males are longer and more pointed, females are rounded. If you have two long pointed ones you might be in for some more trouble. If in a lot of doubt post a picture and people can help you.


There's a bit more information here in the forum index:

http/www.fishforums.net/Gourami-Gold-t129738.html

 

[kevinjaddison786]

Is the dorsal fin the one at the top? They do look just the same! I they are the lfs has no idea what there doing do they? One of the fish, the smaller of the two is always hiding!

 

[lawrie]

this happened to me and still does. i have a pair of golden gouramis, but i also have 2 dwarf gouramis and the golden male gorami spreads his aggression between the three others. the golden male is much bigger than the other gouramis, im thinking of giving him away.