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| FAQs on
the Blue, Three-Spot, Gold/en, Opaline, Even Albino!
Gouramis, Yes, The Same Species, Trichogaster trichopterus, Systems
Related Articles: Anabantoids/Gouramis & Relatives,
Genera Ctenopoma & Microctenopoma,
Betta splendens/Siamese Fighting Fish,
Related FAQs: &
FAQs on: Trichogaster trichopterus 1,
Trichogaster trichopterus 2,
T. trichopterus ID,
T. trichopterus Behavior, T. trichopterus
Compatibility, T. trichopterus Selection,
T. trichopterus Feeding,
T. trichopterus Disease,
T. trichopterus Reproduction,
Gouramis 1,
Gouramis 2,
Gourami Identification,
Gourami Behavior,
Gourami Compatibility,
Gourami Selection,
Gourami Systems,
Gourami Feeding,
Gourami Disease,
Gourami Reproduction,
Betta splendens/Siamese Fighting Fish, |
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Shy Gouramis (Trichogaster trichopterus
behaviour, environment) 9/16/08
Hello!
For about 9 months, I had a 72 gallon tank running with assorted fish, and all
was well. Then, at the beginning of July, we had a disaster at our house and I
was forced to farm the fish out to friends with tanks while our house was
repaired. I have now cycled the tank (all readings are good) and brought back
first the 12 rummynosed tetras which seem to be
perfectly happy and all. Next to come back, about a week later, were the 5
gouramis (3 golden, 2 Opaline). Since they have been back (5 days), all they do
is hide in the plants, all huddled together and their markings are very dark
(although they do come out briefly to eat). They were never like this before the
disaster, and the friend who took care of them while they were away, said that
they weren't like that in his tank. Just wondering if this is normal? And, if
yes, any idea how long this will last for? Should I continue to reintroduce the
remaining fish to the tank? Would any kind of fish help them to settle in better
than another?
Looking forward to your reply.
Thank you!
Cheryl
<Hello Cheryl. The gouramis you are keeping -- varieties of Trichogaster
trichopterus -- are generally very outgoing animals. However, there are a few
things they can't stand, and so I'd review these before anything else. They
don't like strong water currents, and they don't like nippy or aggressive
tankmates (and Rummynose tetras might be nippy, though they are usually well
behaved). They may simply not be settled into the tank; review in particular
water quality. Although you say the readings are good, repeat your test two or
three times across the day to see if it stays consistently good. Adding food can
alter the balance, so while nitrite might be zero first thing in the morning,
after you've fed the fish it can go up. Nervousness in fish is commonly
associated with water pollution and also with unstable pH, so check the pH as
well. In any case, since the tank is new, leave things be, and do the usual
water changes and provide only small meals. Don't think about adding any more
fish for at least two weeks. As a rule of thumb, you should never add fish to a
tank if the existing fish aren't doing what they should be doing. You could make
things worse! Cheers, Neale.>
Plant cover for Gourami in quarantine
Hi! I was just wondering if it might be ok to float a leaf of romaine lettuce in
a quarantine tank with a single Golden Gourami just to give it some cover. I
don't have a plant to put in at the moment. Thank you, Steve
<Hi Steve. This may be more trouble than it is worth. The leaf would have to
be rinsed really well to make sure there were no pesticides on it. It would not
take it long to start decaying so it would have to be replaced frequently. I
would probably just pick up some plastic plants next time I was at the fish
store. -Gage>
Gourami question
Hi all,
<Hello Mark>
Can't say enough good things about the amount of help you've given us fish
lovers.
<You would, perhaps will do the same>
I've got a 10 gallon freshwater tank. Some fish have come and gone, but the
mainstays in the tank are a 2 1/2 inch Gold Gourami and a 2 1/2 inch Iridescent
shark.
My problem is that I've recently begun to add fish to the tank...I added a 2
inch silvertip shark who gets along great with everyone one, but the Gold
Gourami seems to be attacking a 1 1/2 inch Blue Gourami that I added.
<Mmm, really, the root of the difficulty here... the size of the tank... too
small>
The Gold Gourami has always been aggressive to smaller fish (small leopard
puffers and mollies). I figured that adding a larger sized fish (the Blue
Gourami) would help to calm the Gold Gourami down, but he just cant seem to
break the habit of chasing all of the other fish around the tank.
<It might work... to isolate the original... gold Gourami... in a breeding trap,
or even just a good sized net, hung on the corner of the tank... for a few
days... This often re-sets the "dynamics" in a system>
Barring total isolation of one, is there anyway that I can keep the Gourami's
together? The attacking never goes beyond chasing and the occasional nip, but
I'm just afraid that the stress will do him/her in.
Thanks for the help,
Mark
<You are likely right... try the isolation trick... and if this doesn't work?
Perhaps a larger system? Or a trade-in. Bob Fenner>
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