Tropical Fish Forum
Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice => New Fishkeepers => Topic started by: Lynne W on April 16, 2018, 06:19:35 PM
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Hiya, I'm pleased to say I finally got my 3 Pearl Gourami last week, they are very pretty fish and glad to have slightly bigger fish in the tank, although can't believe how easily they hide!
The females are the biggest and smallest with the male in-between. The wee girl hides a lot, but both girls will come out for food and everyone is happy.
I've noticed the male will chase either of them when they come out in the open and I'm concerned he might be a bully, is it a case of wait and see, assume they might still be settling in, given it's only been a week?
Also wondered if getting more females would be an idea if he doesn't settle as I'd hate to take him back?
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It sounds more like typical gourami behaviour. Although pearls are not the worst for this, most gourami males will chase females as it is the chasing that stimulated egg development in the female - or so I read somewhere. It is the reason it is always recommended to have at least 2 females for every male. Some male gouramis eg dwarfs have been known to kill a female that wasn't 'in the mood' when he was.
If you have room, getting at least 1 more female should help.
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Cool, I'll see how they go, I've got room probably for a few more if needs be.
I do love the way the reach out their feelers (or whatever you call them) to each other, when they're being nice to each other. :fishy1:
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The feelers are modified pelvic fins. They use them to investigate their surrounding ncluding each other :)
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Ah makes perfect sense, just noticed the other fish have fins underneath and the gourami don't. Something else learned. cheers