riskbreaker76

i have had my pearl for about 2 1/2 months now and for awhile he was always peaceful, minding his own business. he usually just hangs out at the top of the tank too. for the past week or so, i noticed that my other fish in the tank (atleast just the 5 tetras and 1 platy) were hiding alot when the tank lights were on. after watching more and more the past few days, i notice the pearl starting to chase these fish. when i first got him, he chased the platy for a day or so but stopped. now he's chasing all of the aforementioned fish.
i even noticed what looks like a bite mark on the tail fin of my black phantom.
the pearl still hangs out at the top of the tank but again, now i see him go down more and more to chase the other fish.
i have 2 clown loaches too but he doesnt bother them at all when they are swimming around.

what would cause him to start getting aggressive like this?

thanks.

TedsTank

Hi Riskbreaker76!!

Pearls are not particulary nippers. Nipping can be cause by poor diets or possibly rageing teenage hormones!!! I don't keep gouramis but have heard that they are better kept in pairs. You would need a well planted tank and hiding places for the female and other fish when he is having a rage!!!....but they are not known as killers...the facts of life can do strange things to normally calm and loving fish.

Having them in pairs, he will show better colors but then aggression to the female will rear it's problems too.....your tank is big enough as long as you have good hiding places...the other option would be to get a female only.

Someone else who keeps this species will come online and maybe can share some more specifics with you.

riskbreaker76

still being aggressive after a week...not sure what i should do. the biggest tetra i have seems to be the main target as i notice his back fins are a little torn up. they do have places to hide but i actually enjoy SEEING my fish from time to time. is it time for the bully to go? or should i just let nature run it's course?

Lucy

I'm sorry you're having problems. Letting nature run it's course at this point may result in fin rot or infection not to mention stress on the fish that's being chased.
I'd suggest you move the aggressor to another tank if possible.