Oto and Gourami together question

GwenInNM

I have a male, Blue Gourami that I've had no luck keeping other fish with. He really needs to be by himself, but I put 3 Oto cats in with him awhile back to take care of algae with my live plants.

I notice that when they do swim around the tank, he often does "harass" them by chasing them. He hasn't ever injured one, but I'm noticing they spend most of their time hidden under the log in the tank. I'm not sure if this is normal?

So, I'm thinking I should move them to my other larger tank, but I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts? Perhaps these guys aren't bothered by being chased, or maybe they are? I hate to loose them in the tank because they have kept the algae off the plants, but my other tank could use them too, so either way it would be okay.

Any thoughts? This smaller tank is a 23 gal, planted tank.

Gwen

Boredomb

I usually don't see my Otos that much either. They mostly stay in the heavily planted part of my tank. So it is kinda hard to find them at times. I have never noticed mine hiding under my driftwood or rocks though. So I wouldn't think his would be "normal" behaviour for them. If it was me and noticing them not coming out and staying there for a day or two I would move them to another tank. Just my opinion. See what more experienced ppl have to say though.

GwenInNM

Thanks. I may move them. Kinda watching now to see how long they'll stay under the wood. They may not appreciate being chased when they do come out. I've had them in with that fish for about 2 months
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Boredomb

I wouldn't think they would much care for that either which might be the reasoning they are hiding.

Byron

From your info I think this is beyond "acceptable." My five otos are sometimes [operative word] at the receiving end of chases from the Beckfordi pencilfish when they happen to get near the surface on a plant leaf that the pencil is then browsing, but it doesn't amount to much. The oto simply swims to the next leaf or two, aqnd in a 5-foot 115g tank they have plenty of escapes. If they disappeared under wood, I would be concerned.

A beligerent gourami can be a problem, as can any bully fish.

Inga

I agree. My Otos are all around in my tank. There is nobody that harasses them so they cling to the glass right in the front or on the plant leaves etc... I agree with moving them, it isn't fair for them to live in fear for their lives. Oto's are some of my favorite little fish, I think they are so cute and they are such busy little workers too.

GwenInNM

Thanks to each of you, i moved the 3 Otos over today. They are all over the plants, not hiding at all, so it was the right thing to move them. I'd like to get rid of this bully Gourami. Ugh!
Gwen