Bosemani Rainbow Fish

[john5748]

I managed to find some Bosemani Rainbow fish yesterday (5) which I have been after buying for ages as I really like the colouring of these fish, after I put them in my tank I noticed that another one of my fish is chasing them all the time.

I thought I had researched these quite well and did not expect this at all.

My moonlight gourami is the offending fish (which I have had for about a year now). Will all of these fish learn to live together of have I made a mistake in my stocking?

My tank is 48" wide and the volume is 180 litres so they should all have enough room, any advice is appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi john5748

Gouramis do tend to be territorial, but sometimes you can resolve the problem by adding tall plants which seem to divide the tank into separate territories. If that doesn't work, all you can do is put them into different tanks.

One of the other members sent me an email that pointed me to this thread, with the comment that a Google search showed that your Bosemani Rainbow Fish should have salt in the water. Perhaps one of the other members, who has experience with them will comment here.

 

[CFC]

Boesmani rainbows are freshwater fish that do not need salt to be added to their water. A lot of old aquarium litterature suggests the addition of aquarium salt as a means to buffer the water and stabilise pH as most rainbow species preffer neutral to slightly alkeline conditions but this is now known to be unessesary especially for those on city water supplies which usually already have buffers added to lessen acid corrosion of plumbing systems.

 

[john5748]

Hi john5748

Gouramis do tend to be territorial, but sometimes you can resolve the problem by adding tall plants which seem to divide the tank into separate territories. If that doesn't work, all you can do is put them into different tanks.

Thanks for taking the time to reply, I will try the tall plant suggestion

Boesmani rainbows are freshwater fish that do not need salt to be added to their water. A lot of old aquarium litterature suggests the addition of aquarium salt as a means to buffer the water and stabilise pH as most rainbow species preffer neutral to slightly alkeline conditions but this is now known to be unessesary especially for those on city water supplies which usually already have buffers added to lessen acid corrosion of plumbing systems.

Sorry about posting this in the wrong part CFC.

If any other members have any other suggestions I would love to hear from you.

 

[Bloo]

Can't really add much, as I've never kept those fish together. Though tall plants (Vallis, Amazon Swords) should definitely help somewhat - or something like floating Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum). But if the problem persists over a few weeks, you will have to make a plan B. It's not nice for fish to be constantly chased and harassed You might find as the Boesmani's mature and grow larger, they will be tolerated more.

Hope it works, as Boesmani's are stunning lovely fish

 

[Lateral Line]

Ditto. It is more a Gourami question then a Rainbow, and I haven't kept gouramies for over 20 years!