Drea

This booger is a chaser, I'm wondering if I should take it out. I have a get along community, this is the only one who chases. No one has fin nips. The G is the biggest in the tank, should I get another fish the same size to take away the dominance?

capekate

Hi Drea,
it is my experience that the gourmai's do chase a lot and can be aggressive in a community tank. Tho there are those here who have had good luck with them. It can just be the personality of this particular fish and adding more, may just give it something to chase. Or possibly adding one the same size will even the aggression out. Its a hard call.... you can take the chance and see if it works out by adding another, if you have the option to bring it back if it doesnt work out. Or stop the aggression right off the bat and bring this one back.
Good luck... hope it works out and you have a peaceful community tank once again!

~ kate

lili70

I have three gourami girls (think so) in a 20 G with lots of others. They chase but it's not agressive usually after meal when the food is gone. I think they are hungry all the time.
They don't do any damage and nobody is afraid of them . They are territorial but nothing like my betta girls. I don't think any fish can survive them .... maybe a shark.
The plants keep the gourami busy. The peck on them all day long like chickens. The plants like Wisteria have little holes in the leaves. I give them spirulina but still ... they just peck.
I don't know about gourami boys ....
L

Drea

Yup, mine is the same way. Don't know if I have a boy or girl. Right now he is calm as can be, but it's been hours since breakfast. They do always seem so hungry. Even my paradise fish gets along with the G and everone else!

Gozer_1

Likely you have a male. Is his top fin pointy or rounded? Pointy means boy. I have a Gold male and female with some Otos and Tetras. The Male mostly only chases the female. He's never been too aggressive. In general Gouramis are a little territorial. He doesn't peck at the palnts but man does the female. She doesn't do them any damage though. It sounds to me like you got one with more spunk than usual. I wouldn't add another. Yours is likely to just start tormenting the new comer. Though it would likely distract it from the other fish in the tank. Given a choice they'd prefer to torment each other rather than other fishes. lol If it's just chasing and not nipping then all he's really causing is a little stress on the others. Not that stress is good but it's only life threatining if the target is already ill or you have potential illness in the tank (ie bad water which I know you said tested AOK). The stress could make a fish more prone to catching an illness. That may have something to do with your Platy problem. If they were sick when you got them and the gourami was stressing them out, it might have been too much for them. If you have another tank to put the gourami in then that is your best solution. Or returning it to the store if possible. My LFSs will do trades. That might be an option for you. Trade him for more Platys or something.

Anyway Good luck.

Drea

Thanks, Most of the time my G is behaving. He is a male(thanks for the id input) I just took a look to confirm sex, and he's got a red mark infront of his gil slit. What could that be? He's still eating good, but does seem quieter, and resting on the bottom alot today. Any help?

Gozer_1

Really? Mine has a little red spot on his chin. I've tried treating him with a couple meds but it never goes away. He's had it for a pretty long time and never seems to be ill. It's been there for a few months. Interesting to hear yours has one too. I don't know what to tell ya. With the hanging out on the bottom, I wouldn't worry unless he does it for more than a day or two. He might just have an upset tummy or something. lol.

fordtrannyman

What species of Gourami are you all referring to?
I have only kept Trichogaster trichopterus
I have a female that has a broken blood vessel on the tip of her Dorsal that created a red spot. (see thumbnail)
As for the redness around the gill, I would keep an eye on it.
Could be bacterial infection. Especially with the symptom of laying low.

As for the chasing, He is just claiming his territory. If the aquascape permits him to have his own territory, and there is plenty of room for other fish. Then it's not a problem. I have found that 2-3 females per male makes for the best temperament.

Attached Images

Female Gourami.JPG (88.2 KB, 9 views)

Gozer_1

Must be something similar. Mines had his red dot for quite awhile and is healthy as can be. I'm refering to the Gold variety of the fish you named. I first thought it was a hemorage but he never got sick and no meds changed the dot.

Drea

the otherday, i treated for bacterial.the red spot is gone. did a water change, and he's doing great, so is everybody else

Gozer_1

GREAT!!!!