Bullied sparkling female

[CassCats]

I have a friend interested in some sparkling gourami, so I may see if perhaps she wants this girl and one of my male fry for a pair. It would mean this girl will go on to have a bigger home, but it depends if my friend wants her.

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

Moving her was the right call, poor girl! She has more space now than she did in the big tank when you think about it, plus isn't getting torn up! I'm sure she'll be very happy in there as she recovers and while you decide whether to give her to your friend or upgrade her after you move, she's surely good in there for now

Such beautiful fish, but wow, strange social structure! I think you'e right not to consider putting otos in with them.

 

[seangee]

Wish you had mentioned this before convincing me to buy them
So far so good with my 6 but they are not breeding yet. I think the bubblenest I spotted was a trial run.
To date the aggression is mostly contained within the group. They do occasionally chase the boraras so I am keeping an eye on this. I have not seen contact but one of them does have a rather suspicious chunk out of its tail. If that escalates they (the boraras) may have to go and live with the CPD.
I still have space in the big community tank if I need to split them out. The only other option is in the 20G with the swimming highlighters, I know this works for you but I also have dwarf chain loach in there and I suspect the sparklers may have a really tough time with them.

 

[CassCats]

Wish you had mentioned this before convincing me to buy them
So far so good with my 6 but they are not breeding yet. I think the bubblenest I spotted was a trial run.
To date the aggression is mostly contained within the group. They do occasionally chase the boraras so I am keeping an eye on this. I have not seen contact but one of them does have a rather suspicious chunk out of its tail. If that escalates they (the boraras) may have to go and live with the CPD.
I still have space in the big community tank if I need to split them out. The only other option is in the 20G with the swimming highlighters, I know this works for you but I also have dwarf chain loach in there and I suspect the sparklers may have a really tough time with them.

Everywhere read says to get a group not pairs, or single, so... but i know someone else who has had aggression problems too where the least dominant individual got killed too, so perhaps they're not as "social" as sources make them out to be

 

[CassCats]

Added a background and more plants and moved out the mossy rock and branch. She was pacing but now seems happier with more cover.

 

[ecarso10]

I never appreciated the bullying aspect of fish until recently. We have a wee yellow guppy in a hatchery right now to protect him. I’ve actually just joined today so I could share the drama and get some advice...if anyone can spare time to read my massive post that is

 

[CassCats]

My friend will be taking this little girl and a young male together once her fins heal up
So happy solution for her, she will be much happier in a 5.5 gallon with a partner rather than a rival, than she would stuck in a little 3 gallon alone.

I introduced the male youngster to her in the tank, watching very close. Their first meeting was cautious curiosity and no aggression at all. Good sign.

And some progress already with healing up

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

It's amazing how quickly she's healing! Sounds like the best possible outcome for her, the photo of her and the young male is adorable!