Rogue Male Dwarf Gourami? Or normal behaviour?

Lupin

Dawn, thanks for the added information.:) Link is also not working. I keep trying but it doesn't work.

Also, on the side note, I'd also avoid mixing dwarf gouramis with bettas and guppies. Guppies are often the helpless victims. They do not know how to attack and will often get the risk of having tattered fins and eventual death due to constant attacks. The same can be said to the bettas although bettas will be able to attack in retaliation.

Zen, good luck.

zen242

thanks for the info.
It looks like he might have to go back im afraid.
it amazes me how calm they seemed at the store, but i guess once he has his own territory and females about it brought out his bad side.
Are honey gouramis a little more peaceful, or is it generally the luck of the draw and violence if spawning as well?

I found the pciture by searching google image for 'neon blue Dwarf Gourami female' - and it comes up there.

Im pretty sure they are female, although they are light blue like in that picture.

Lupin

Like other fish, they also have different natures. One male with several females will be the best option. Male anabantids tend to be quite aggressive during spawning season and that will also apply when they are staking for territories.

zen242

well i got some decent advice today from the owner of the large aquarium in melbourbe.
Apparently once males begin to spawn there is a switch that pulled and they will continue to try and spawn all the time - relentlessly grumpy, and bubble nest building.
Things that trigger spawning are ofcourse having females in a tank and generally good conditions - good water quality and the like.
We have taken he and the girls back and have decided on a lone rainbow fish. He seems much more calm.

Lupin

Oh, what species of rainbow is that?:)
Time to make a new thread in Cyprinids section.

zen242

Hi
here are some pics of 'Rambo' - the male Gourami - first one attacking my partner, second one biting at a mole on her arm...

Lupin

Nice tank. I had this male Dwarf Gourami which keeps biting my hand whenever I touch his bubblenest.

zen242

That was actually the other side of the tank, his nest was over the other side! And he spent the last 8 hours of his time in our tank hunting and killing as many Neon tetras as he could. We had to seperate him in a plastic bag for the last 6 hours after he hunted down and ate three neons - nasty piece of work...

Lupin

So where is he now?

zen242

yeah we swapped him and his ladies back at the store for a peaceful rainbow fish and some new plants. The politics of the whole aquarium has changed - its like the war is over ;)