Stressed Pearl

[TonyUK]

I have what I think to be a pair of Pearl Gouramis (at one time I was very confident)
The definate male is a beauty, with all the colour and finnage of a prize male. They are both about 10cm, but the other only has a touch of red on the underside and moderate rounded fins with no trailing edges on the bottom fin.

The male is very territorial and occassionally starts blowing bubbles on the surface.

My doubts started when they started locking mouths, I originally thought this was courtship.
The locking of mouths has passed but the male is still very bossy.

The female? now has developed a little fin rot and a slight patch of cotton wool fungus on the dorsal fin.

My water is perfect and so are all the other fish, so I think it could be stress related.

I've attached a pic of the female? apologies for the quality but she's a little camera shy.

Is it possible that I have 2 males but one just has not grown the fins etc. perhaps because of other male.

Please help, they are such beautiful fish.

Tony.

 

[wuvmybetta]

The rounded anal would lead me to believe that it's a female. Perhaps the males constant nipping is stressing her and her nipped fins are becoming vulnerable to bacterial infections. Melafix will help clear that up quickly. Just not in strong doses because it affects the labyrinth organ.

You can either seperate them (especially if you plan to breed them) or make sure she has mucho cover to find some time to herself.