Gurami - is it bullied, shy, or pregnant ?

[Tony-B]

Hi all,
I introduced a pair of 3 spot Gurami's about three weeks ago, and they appeared fine. Over the last few days, the female (I think) is being constantly herded into the corner of the tank (under green plants) by the other Gurami. If she tries to swim out, he herds her back. He does not seem to bother with the other fish in the tank. Can anybody offer any suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[FishGeek]

It sounds about what my two are doing only the other way around. My female keeps my male at the bottom of the tank. Its just dominance.

 

[discus4everGrl]

gourami's are very territorial fish, if the gourami's are the largest fish in the tank they will often kill each other. I personally have never had any luck with gourami's as they have always killed the other then proceeded to chase the next largest fish to death and so on down the line.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Well, it isn't pregnant... gouramis build bubble nests like bettas and lay eggs. Gouramis are pretty territorial, most don't like each other a whole lot.

 

[Seleya]

How large a tank are they in?

 

[jeremy]

First off, are you sure about the sexes of the gourami? Secondly, has the male been doing anything else to the female, like bumping into her side, building a bubblenest under the leafs of the plants. He might be trying to breed with her.

 

[Rebgen]

This doesn't solve your current problem but if you are interested in keeping gouramis, I'd recommend Pearl gouramis. I have a trio (2-female, 1-male) in a community 55 gal. tank and they get along extremely well. Pearls are very docile and get along with other fish very well.