Pearl Gourami behaviour

[Mrkcollins1]

I have added 2 PG 7 days ago and they do not seem to come out at all they hide at back of tank under plants have read that they are shy to start with ,the other fish don’t bother them ,45 cardinal tetras,12 harlequin rasboras,5 Cory Dora’s ,12 phantom tetra aquarium is approximately 350ltr planted no co2, has anyone else had this with there fish or will the eventually settle in and be seen thanks for any advice

 

[Wills]

I would give it a while longer before overly worrying, some fish can be really timid. I added a group of new fish to my tank and they were really timid for the first few weeks, I'm now on week 6 and they are much more confident.

Are they eating ok?

It sounds like a stunning tank BTW! Do you have any pics?

Wills

 

[Mrkcollins1]

I would give it a while longer before overly worrying, some fish can be really timid. I added a group of new fish to my tank and they were really timid for the first few weeks, I'm now on week 6 and they are much more confident.

Are they eating ok?

It sounds like a stunning tank BTW! Do you have any pics?

Wills

 

[Mrkcollins1]

Thanks for reply they seem to be feeding ok but don’t really see them at top when food put in to be honest but still look healthy

 

[stanleo]

Ok first, LOVE THE TANK! Pearl Gouramis are much more comfortable with floating plants or plants that reach the top that provide some shade. I have had 4 for 3 years in a 55 gl (208ltr) with very few plants reaching the top and they always kept to themselves in the back behind the plants. Then I upgraded everything to a 120gl and added some swords that reached the top and some frogbit and they only hideout now during lights out. In fact, they have learned when it’s feeding time and come to that side of the tank waiting for food and don’t move out of fear when I put my hand in. Her are some pics

 

[stanleo]

Also, what are their genders? If they are both female, adding a male will help them be more confident. The caudal, dorsal, and anal fins on males are much longer and delicate looking in males and the red underbelly is more pronounced.

 

[Byron]

I concur with stanleo on both counts...that is a lovely aquascape, and you do need floating plants.

Most all fish, including all those you have, will appreciate a "roof" over them, and floating plants are the best way to do this. Fish do not like direct overhead light as in most cases it is foreign to their habitats. But with gourami, they are programmed to browse dangling roots, plants and sticks for food; they also build their bubblenests among floating plant roots. So floating plants really are essential for gourami.

Water Sprite (Ceratopteris cornuta) is about the best floating plant for this, and it is native to the gourami habitats. But other similar plants like Water Lettuce and Frogbit will also work. Some stem plants make good floaters, Wisteria and Pennywort come to mind.

 

[Mrkcollins1]

Thanks for the advice I will get some floating plants this week how much surface movement should there be with floating plants

 

[Byron]

Thanks for the advice I will get some floating plants this week how much surface movement should there be with floating plants

Minimal. Gourami do not like currents, being quiet water fish. Some surface disturbance at one end, near the filter return, is good to maintain a healthy exchange of gas (oxygen/CO2) and substantive floating plants will not have any issues with this.

 

[Mrkcollins1]

The tank is using 2 Eheim 600 classic filters one spray bar pushing water across top towards the second spraybar that is angled downwards 45 degrees to create good circulation should I make holes in first spraybar larger to slow down a bit or just lower pray bar slightly thanks again been most helpful

 

[stanleo]

The tank is using 2 Eheim 600 classic filters one spray bar pushing water across top towards the second spraybar that is angled downwards 45 degrees to create good circulation should I make holes in first spraybar larger to slow down a bit or just lower pray bar slightly thanks again been most helpful

Is it possible to move all your filter outlets to one side of the tank so the other side is more calm? When I put in floating plants they didn’t do well until I did this and now they are quite happy. I don’t have spray bars so not sure if you can make the holes bigger.

 

[Byron]

I would suggest only one filter is needed, this is especially true in planted tanks. Your filter is only competing with the plants, and while that may not be much in reality, it is not necessary. I have one Eheim Pro 2 canister on my 90g (much the same size).

If you can have the filter intake at one end and the return at the other, you can create a natural "downstream" current which fish seem to appreciate.

I added holes to a spraybar once, then wished I hadn't. But having said that, I now have no spraybar, just the filter return aimed into the end wall. My goal was to have more surface disturbance but only at that end, and have some current but not too much down the tank.

 

[Mrkcollins1]

Don’t think I will be able to move one as have cut outs in tank on each corner drilling holes bigger is possible in spray bar so will tri that first thanks

 

[Byron]

Don’t think I will be able to move one as have cut outs in tank on each corner drilling holes bigger is possible in spray bar so will tri that first thanks

I'm not understanding about the larger holes in the spray bar...the idea is to lessen not increase current for these fish.

As for the cutouts, I assume you mean in the plastic strip along the back of the cover/hood. I have covered these when I've changed my filters or whatever, you can simply use tape that is plastic like for boxes, and put it on both sides so the sticky sides are together.

 

[seangee]

I aim my spray bars at the back wall and upward. That way I get good aeration but it is diluted by the time it reaches the main body of the surface, just be careful there is no opportunity for the water to escape over the side. The plants will also reduce the current. If you find all your plants are being washed to the other end of the tank you could use some airline to create a barrier to keep the plants where you want them.