What To Do With A Bully Fish?

[jschlosser]

He has killed 4 fish so far including my 8 year old clown loaches. My other two gouramis are sweethearts and often his victims. I am ready to flush him It is better that one die for the many comes to mind. I am not setting up another tank but have him over in the hospital tank for now. What do I do with this guy?

 

[Christi_22]

He has killed 4 fish so far including my 8 year old clown loaches. My other two gouramis are sweethearts and often his victims. I am ready to flush him It is better that one die for the many comes to mind. I am not setting up another tank but have him over in the hospital tank for now. What do I do with this guy?

You don't say what type of Gourami he is. or how long you have had him, But first things first, you should NEVER flush any fish (I'm sure that you wouldn't). Why not try to re-home him, or take him to a lfs?

 

[jschlosser]

Of course I wouldn't -- geez, I could feed him to the frankenfish in the creek next to the house -- now there's a thought!

He's a blue gourami, had him all of 3 weeks. The females are fine (of course) but he just has to go. I have never had to get rid of a fish in 45 years of doing this and these are my favorites. Only had one bully before but I was home during the day to keep an eye on them back then. Will see if PetSmart wants him back. What a pain.

 

[Christi_22]

Of course I wouldn't -- geez, I could feed him to the frankenfish in the creek next to the house -- now there's a thought!

He's a blue gourami, had him all of 3 weeks. The females are fine (of course) but he just has to go. I have never had to get rid of a fish in 45 years of doing this and these are my favorites. Only had one bully before but I was home during the day to keep an eye on them back then. Will see if PetSmart wants him back. What a pain.

Haha, sorry !!

I have 2, 4" Gold Gourami's (Female) and they are sweethearts too, I did consider getting a male, but read about the aggression problems, so thought not!!

Good luck

 

[Inchworm]

Hi jschlosser

I know exactly how you feel. Male gouramis can be terrors! I've had the same experience with mature male three spots, platinums and pearls. The male blue three spot so terrorized everyone that I considered the same thing you suggested. Fortunately, he saved me the trouble when, while making a mad dash across the tank, he must have overshot the top and landed on the floor.

Here's poor Mrs. Gourami hiding out from him:

 

[jschlosser]

I had to make a fuss at PetSmart to get them to take him back. I didn't want the money, I was past the 14-day return period (he was in quarantine that long!), but they don't take them back for any reason past the 14-day period.

I have always had blues and only had one bad boy before but was able to tame him (someone asked me if I really disciplined my fish - only if I need to!) because I was home then.

Oh, well, back to PetSmart after work to get a couple of ladies who know how to behave.

 

[jschlosser]

Hi jschlosser

I know exactly how you feel. Male gouramis can be terrors! I've had the same experience with mature male three spots, platinums and pearls. The male blue three spot so terrorized everyone that I considered the same thing you suggested. Fortunately, he saved me the trouble when, while making a mad dash across the tank, he must have overshot the top and landed on the floor.

Here's poor Mrs. Gourami hiding out from him:

Poor sweetie. Gouramis are just the nicest fish - normally.

 

[crazychris]

Take it to your LFS. Blue, three spot and golden gouramis can be bullies. The one I have at present is fine though. The last one I had was a terror so went back to the shop.