Trouble in 20 gallon paradise

Tynabop · 07-31-2003, 05:47 AM

I have 6 (adorable) Tiger Barbs in a 20 gal tank, with 4 gouramis (2 dwarf and 1 blue, 1 gold) and the barbs don't bother anyone! The problem i'm having is my dwarf gouramis. Willow is the slower of the 2, and likes to hide in his little house and only comes out for food, Migosh is quick and won't stop nipping at slower Willow. At first the blue gourami was the tank bully (we called him the tank pervert because he loved to go up to everyone and "feel" them out with his little feeler thingys, LOL) anyway he's calmed down some, but that one dwarf (Migosh) won't stop nipping at the other one. I feel sorry for him, almost to the point where we are considering giving Migosh away. Is this normal for dwarf gouramis? How can we stop them?
One more question, I tried to give them live blood worms as a treat, the worms just sank while the fish just stared at me waiting for flakes, how do you get them to notice the worms? Or should I just not bother with them (bloodworms)? Any info would be great!
Tyna

ducksarefun · 07-31-2003, 06:12 AM

That is typical gourami behavior. When you have two of the same species, they should be equal in size, strength, and colours. They should be placed in the tank at the same time. Are they both males? If so, Migosh (cool name btw) will probably always pick on the other. If Willow is a female, I am not sure how they should behave...
There are a few others on this board who know much more about gouramis, and they can help you more.
If you do decide to get rid of one, and if Migosh only picks on the other dwarf, you can keep him easily. I doubt he is any more aggresive than other dwarfs.
Good luck!

FroggyFox · 07-31-2003, 09:34 AM

Sorry I'm gonna skip commenting on the gouramis...don't know much about them.

were the bloodworms gone the next morning? If they found and ate them, I might try again and see if anyone notices them. Sometimes I will drop some brine shrimp in my adult tanks...it took them a few times to figure it out...but now they know exactly what it is when I pour them in!

07-31-2003, 05:47 AM	#1
Tynabop Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Santa Barbara Posts: 33	Trouble in 20 gallon paradise I have 6 (adorable) Tiger Barbs in a 20 gal tank, with 4 gouramis (2 dwarf and 1 blue, 1 gold) and the barbs don't bother anyone! The problem i'm having is my dwarf gouramis. Willow is the slower of the 2, and likes to hide in his little house and only comes out for food, Migosh is quick and won't stop nipping at slower Willow. At first the blue gourami was the tank bully (we called him the tank pervert because he loved to go up to everyone and "feel" them out with his little feeler thingys, LOL) anyway he's calmed down some, but that one dwarf (Migosh) won't stop nipping at the other one. I feel sorry for him, almost to the point where we are considering giving Migosh away. Is this normal for dwarf gouramis? How can we stop them? One more question, I tried to give them live blood worms as a treat, the worms just sank while the fish just stared at me waiting for flakes, how do you get them to notice the worms? Or should I just not bother with them (bloodworms)? Any info would be great! Tyna __________________ Tynabop, mom to: 1 tiger barb(Nemo) 3 Platies(Mickey, Randall & Dante) 1 blue gourami (Puck) 1 gold gourami(Goldmember) 4 corycats (Figaro, Frito, Gary and Snelly).) 20 gal tank

07-31-2003, 06:12 AM	#2
ducksarefun Little Fish Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: NS, Canada Posts: 273	That is typical gourami behavior. When you have two of the same species, they should be equal in size, strength, and colours. They should be placed in the tank at the same time. Are they both males? If so, Migosh (cool name btw) will probably always pick on the other. If Willow is a female, I am not sure how they should behave... There are a few others on this board who know much more about gouramis, and they can help you more. If you do decide to get rid of one, and if Migosh only picks on the other dwarf, you can keep him easily. I doubt he is any more aggresive than other dwarfs. Good luck! __________________ 10g * betta, 2 apple snails 20g planted * 3 cherry barbs, 4 albino tiger barbs, 1 zebra loach, 2 ottos, 1 opaline gourami

07-31-2003, 09:34 AM	#3
FroggyFox Forum Manager Join Date: May 2003 Location: Colorado Posts: 8,479	Sorry I'm gonna skip commenting on the gouramis...don't know much about them. were the bloodworms gone the next morning? If they found and ate them, I might try again and see if anyone notices them. Sometimes I will drop some brine shrimp in my adult tanks...it took them a few times to figure it out...but now they know exactly what it is when I pour them in! __________________ 29, 46 & 55FW 29 SW + dog + horse + catYou can view info & photos of my critters here...