A couple of three-spot gourami questions

[daveamos]

Hello!

I have a couple of questions about my four three-spot gouramis. If I've sexed them correctly, there are three females and one male in a 29 US Gallon tank with no other tankmates.

First, I've noticed that recently they've been chasing each other around a little more than when I first got them. It never seem particularly malicious, but randomly one will chase the other to the other side of the tank. Usually the instigator is one of the females. Is this something to worry about, or just normal pecking order behavior?

Second, all of my gouramis have developed a little red in their eyes. Is this natural coloring or something to be worried about? Here's a picture for reference. Sorry about the quality, getting a closeup of an eye is tough!

Thanks!

 

[Danieow]

How old are you gouramis? They may just be getting some color as they age. My blue gourami has a tiny red coloration on his eyes and I'm pretty sure it's normal (or possibly spawning color on yours?)

 

[daveamos]

I just got my gouramis two weeks ago, so I assume they're young-ish. I hope it's normal!


Okay, I have an update about the behavior issue. I think that I actually have two males and two females. One of the males (which I thought was a female) has a longer dorsal fin that's still kind of rounded, but very different from the shorter rounded fins of the females. I have also just noticed some pattern to their fighting. "Strong Male" has taken the plant-filled area of the tank has his territory, and forced the other male to the top of the other side of the tank. I've made a diagram to show what I'm talking about:

Basically, I don't think the weaker male is having much fun sitting up at the top. Should I get more plants to make him feel more comfortable? Should I separate them? The stronger male chases everyone who gets near his area!

Any advice would be useful! Thanks!

 

[sylvia]

She's normal (the one in the pic). They do develop some orange highlights around the eyes head and fins.

You have to seperate the two males or the dominant one will kill the other. They are maturing which and setting up their territories and that's what's set off all this aggression.

Keep the 2 females together regardless of which male they are with. Also, don't move the fish to a tank that has other gouramies or you'll just have the same problem.

I personaly think you'd be best off taking one of the males back to your LFS (unless you have a suitable tank, with no gouramies in it, to put him in).

 

[daveamos]

Sylvia,

Thanks a lot. I've already contacted my local fish store and made arrangements. I could've sworn it was three females! Oh well.