Red wag platy

My gourami has been being mean to my swordtail. If my swordtail gets too close, he chases her away. How could I reduce this? Provide cover? Get another swordtail so the gourami can't single our one fish and so my swordtail has a friend.

Shawnie

gourami's are very territorial...take the gourami out, re-arrange the tank decor, and then put him back in after a half hour or so...also the cover wouldnt be bad for the swordtail either..goodluck

sirdarksol

How big is the tank?
I agree that removing the guorami and rearranging can "reset" its territorial instincts, giving another chance at things working out. If the tank is too small, however, things are less likely to go well.

roxanne

awww.. my gourami doesn't pick on the other fish he picks on me lol i get bit everytome i have to go into the tank(fix a plant the pleco pulled up or i did while cleaning ect.) i even go near the tank and he's waiting... but i would give what shawnie said a try.

Shawnie

LOL my convicts do that..its like they are waiting for cleaning day ...but they have fry also ....never had my gourami's come after me, but they get a time out with tank rearranged about once a month

Red wag platy

Okay. But what do you think I should put him in? Could I just put him in a small container? Do you think My swordtail would be less stressed if I got another swordtail?

Shawnie

yes put the gourami in a 5 gallon bucket or something with fish water from your tank...as far as adding another, we would need to know your tank size and whats already in it?

Red wag platy

It wouldn't be overstocked. I have 10 gallon with just the gourami and swordtail.

Shawnie

hows the meanie doing today?? did he get his time out yet? LOL

sirdarksol

Is it a dwarf guorami or one of the "standard" ones (blue, kissing, etc...)?
If it isn't a dwarf guorami, and it's in a 10g tank, it's likely feeling crammed in. Even if it doesn't go over the "1 inch per gallon" guideline, a standard-sized guorami needs more space to feel like it has a home. Even a dwarf may be stressed in that situation.

Red wag platy

It's a dwarf gourami.