Fighting - Please Define

[JamesMac]

My gouramis vigorously chase each other, especially when scavenging just after a feeding. There is occasionally some posturing between 2 males, with one then giving sudden chase. Is this fighting? There are many posts that discuss fighting, but I don't know what I'm looking for. Please help!

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

What kind of gourami do you have? And how many?
From my own experience I can only say what I've seen. My gourami do not fight, but I only have one male to 4 females in my species tank. The girls used to posture somewhat with each other until the pecking order was decided. I'd see them lock mouths....kinda. Sizing each other up. Males would do much the same thing. If they come across as evenly matched and they're still unhappy they will most likely fight. if there's an obvious stronger male then the other will be ousted and may get chased a great deal until either he stays away (If the tank allows) or he dies from stress. In the event of a fight they will attack towards the underside of the body, bite at fins and the tail. They will flare (Although not in the same way as a betta but will extend all their finnage as far as possible and make themselves look big and impressive.)and they will chase.
It sounds to me like you have a dominant male...but not by much, hence all the hassel. Are you absolutely sure who is male? A male with prance and chase females too in an attempt to spawn.
Hugs,
P.

 

[JamesMac]

What kind of gourami do you have? And how many?
From my own experience I can only say what I've seen. My gourami do not fight, but I only have one male to 4 females in my species tank. The girls used to posture somewhat with each other until the pecking order was decided. I'd see them lock mouths....kinda. Sizing each other up. Males would do much the same thing. If they come across as evenly matched and they're still unhappy they will most likely fight. if there's an obvious stronger male then the other will be ousted and may get chased a great deal until either he stays away (If the tank allows) or he dies from stress. In the event of a fight they will attack towards the underside of the body, bite at fins and the tail. They will flare (Although not in the same way as a betta but will extend all their finnage as far as possible and make themselves look big and impressive.)and they will chase.
It sounds to me like you have a dominant male...but not by much, hence all the hassel. Are you absolutely sure who is male? A male with prance and chase females too in an attempt to spawn.
Hugs,
P.

Thanks for your thoughts on this. I have 5 male dwarfs (no females) in a 275 litre tank, which is heavily planted, plus some rocks & wood. At this point, the only other tank occupants are 6 (slightly crazy) zebra danios.

 

[sylvia]

What you have is fine and the chasing should not harm them. I define fighting based on what I've seen male three-spots do - that is they circle each other, flaring, and actively attack each other's sides. I assure you that, if you see this, you'll know right away. Mouth-locking is usualy more to do with deciding hierarchy than out-right fighting and chasing's also involved. From what you're describing though, if the chasing's extreme, it can still cause stress to your fish - which easily leads to disease in dwarfs.

 

[CytheFish]

What you have is fine and the chasing should not harm them. I define fighting based on what I've seen male three-spots do - that is they circle each other, flaring, and actively attack each other's sides. I assure you that, if you see this, you'll know right away. Mouth-locking is usualy more to do with deciding hierarchy than out-right fighting and chasing's also involved. From what you're describing though, if the chasing's extreme, it can still cause stress to your fish - which easily leads to disease in dwarfs.

I just want to say thanks for the great G info on this board. We are about to add our first 2 G's this weekend ( see other post ) and this is the type of info we need.