Female Gouramis Fighting...

[Staccat0]

I have a 29 Gal tank cycled tank with:
2x Female Dwarf Gouramis
1x Male dwarf Gourami
1x Bristlenose Catfish

There is a pretty good amount of plants, some hiding spots and some floating plants.

The male is pretty mellow and decides to chase the ladies once in a while, but just chills most of the time. The females, however, are getting quite aggressive towards one another. The more dominant of the two used to chase the other, but now they bite eachothers sides and knock eachother crooked. As far as I know they just began exibiting this behavior today.

Should I:
a) add another female to spread out the stress
b.) ignore it. Thats what they do.
c) rearrange their furnature
d) addd more plants
e) get rid of the dominant fish (I really don't want to do this)
f) other

If I do need to add another female can it be from a different strain? I just am a little apprehansive about adding a lot of bland looking female dwarf gouramis, but I'll do it if its needed. Would Honey Gouramis work?

 

[rossyboy]

Personally i think firstly i'd try to re-arrange things to give room for more hiding? Also swimming space is important.

My dwarfs love swimming in channels and passage ways made by plants and rocks.

If this doesn't work, then perhaps add another female of the same strain... but don't quote me on this as i've never had more than 1 male, 1 female.

Speaking generally tho and not specific to this species a good ratio of male to female can reduce problems.

 

[Staccat0]

thanks for the advice. I think thats what I'll end up doing. Any other input is still welcome of course

 

[funkycat]

i would add a third female to spread out aggression. haha usually it is the male who is really aggressive, but dominant females always form.

Honey gourami's wont do, they look different enough that the dwarfs will notice. Just add a third female dwarf