Kissing Gourami Aggression

[kajones]

One of my 2 kissing gouramis has a ragged tail and I've noticed the other one chasing it, is this normal behaviour? They are only just over an inch long.

 

[HornyFlower]

One of my 2 kissing gouramis has a ragged tail and I've noticed the other one chasing it, is this normal behaviour? They are only just over an inch long.

Need more info, size tank? How long have you had them, did you add them at the same time?

They might just be establishing a pecking order, they might calm down after a while. When you say "ragged" tail do mean chunks missing or do you mean the tail is "split" on the ends. If you mean it's split, I don't know what this is but when I put almost any new fish in my tank they get this at first, it will heal in 1 or 2 days if they stop the bickering. More info please.

 

[kajones]

I've had them a couple of months and i bought them at the same time. They were in a 50g tank with pair firemouths, a black shark, 2 silver sharks 2 clown loaches and a gold gourami. I assumed it was one of that lot so moved them into my 3 ft tank with catfish and guppies and have since noticed the aggression between them. The bigger one chases the bitten one but they are always together, the little one seems to follow the big one around, strange. Heres a pic of the tail.

 

[kajones]

Anyone have any suggestions? I'm getting worried. The chasing is almost constant now, I think it was definately the other kissing gourami that ripped the tail. I'm thinking i should i put it back in the big tank but what if I'm wrong and one of the others caused it ???

 

[Biulu]

Sorry, I am not very familiar with the inch system. How many litres/gallons is a 3 ft tank? Is it bigger or smaller than the one you had? Do you have enough plants and hiding places in your tank? Kissing gouramis are very agressive, and need to establish territories. They need at least 10 gallons each to be able to call their own. This doesn't mean you can not put any other fish in, but each gouramis should have this space available, and can share it with other non-gourami species.

 

[kajones]

Sorry, I am not very familiar with the inch system. How many litres/gallons is a 3 ft tank? Is it bigger or smaller than the one you had? Do you have enough plants and hiding places in your tank? Kissing gouramis are very agressive, and need to establish territories. They need at least 10 gallons each to be able to call their own. This doesn't mean you can not put any other fish in, but each gouramis should have this space available, and can share it with other non-gourami species.

It's about 40 gallons which is smaller than the other tank but plenty big enough for them. It's heavily planted with lots of plant pots and ornaments. They are sharing with guppies, coreys, bristle nose cats and one plec.

 

[Biulu]

Yes, 40 gallons should be enough. The only other culprits I can think of are guppies; they can be notorious fin nippers.

Edit: do you have a male and a female? or 2 gouramis of the same sex? If it is male and female, it is likely that the male is harrassing the female constantly. Did they get sexually mature? In this case it would be better to get yourself an extra female so the agression can be spread out, and the male has to concentrate on 2 females, instead of just one.

P.s: try to get a female more or less the same size as your current gouramis.

 

[kajones]

Yes, 40 gallons should be enough. The only other culprits I can think of are guppies; they can be notorious fin nippers.

Edit: do you have a male and a female? or 2 gouramis of the same sex? If it is male and female, it is likely that the male is harrassing the female constantly. Did they get sexually mature? In this case it would be better to get yourself an extra female so the agression can be spread out, and the male has to concentrate on 2 females, instead of just one.

P.s: try to get a female more or less the same size as your current gouramis.

The injury happened before they went in with the guppies. As for sexing i have no idea, one is slightly bigger but thats the only difference.

 

[Biulu]

Have a look at this thread: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?s=&amp...t&p=1549459. I think the agression started because you moved them to a smaller tank, and now they are fighting over territory space.