EdnJean

Hi,

This is an observation that I have found interesting. Perhaps you all can advise if this is normal "Fish psychology".

I have Three Gourami's in my tank; in order of size, a Blue (3 Spot), 2nd Blue (Golden type) and a Dwarf. The Golden is only a little bigger than the Dwarf, and the 3 spot only a little bigger than the golden..

I believe the 3 spot is male, the golden is female, and the Dwarf is definitely Male.

All three were added to the tank at the same time. The 3 spot soon became aggressive toward the golden quite often, particularly during feeding times. But Golden insists on trying to hang around with him. He was not aggressive towards any other fish. Golden was not aggressive toward anyone. Dwarf did his own thing, never hassled anyone, nor was ever hassled. Kept to himself, often playing in the bubbles from the air curtain.

I have recently quarentined the 3 spot as he has developed some red spots, and I am trying to heal him.

Since 3 spot is no longer there, the dynamics have changed; not much is noticed during normal times, but at feeding times. Now, Dwarf is aggressive toward Golden! Furthermore, Golden is now aggressive towards the Molly and the Tetra's!

What is going on? I want a community tank where everyone gets along . Am I asking the impossible with my combo of fish?

Interested in your thoughts.

Thanks

Ed

Lucy

That's an interesting observation. It's it funny how adding or subtracting something from the tank effects they way they act.

GouramiGirl1221

You very well may be asking the impossible with those three gouramis. I've had very limited exposure to the 3 spot varieties, but when my roommate and I got our tank for the dorm room we tried a dwarf and 3 spot together, but that didn't last long at all. The 3 spot harassed the dwarf terribly, and she took back her 3 spot about a week after getting him because of it. Some gourami get along, and others don't. It sounds like after taking the dominant male out, the "2nd string" dwarf decided to fill the void, so when you re-introduce your blue gourami there is probably going to be quite a bit of bickering going on between the two of them, so be prepared.

TropicalGrimmish

Shawnie

out of all the gourami's ive had, the 3spot blue is the most agressive...once your baby has healed, I would take out all 3 and put each in a seperate bowl for about an hour...move a few decorations around and some plants in different areas...then add them back at the same time....they will all have to reestablish territories...if the agression gets severe again, you will either have to remove the bully, or re decorate again...I had to do this once a month with my bully and my tank had 2 in a 55 gal...goodluck!