So I started out a few months ago with four dwarf gouramis in my 46 gallon heavily planted tank. Other inhabitants are two blue rams (who don't interact with the gouramis) and 6 neons. Everything went well for a few months until about a month ago when two of the DGs died in quick succession. I noticed this week that one of the DG's fins at the caudal aspect are slightly clamped, and his tail doesn't look as fanned out. He's been hiding, and while I occasionally see the other one kind of charge him, I haven't seen a lot of overt fighting. He's still swimming around and eating, but I'm concerned he might be getting bullied. I was actually just thinking about replacing the two that I lost, but don't want to perpetuate a problem if one is ill. Although would that help diffuse the aggression? Should there be an odd number if so? Any help would be appreciated!
Dwarf Gourami Territory
- Thread starter dewilde2
- Start date
Try medicating the tank for flukes before you do anything else. You can use a product like Fluke Tabs or any medication containing metronidazole. I am partial to API's General Cure. Both the Asian-bred DGs and rams tend to carry these. Assuming you got the fish from your lfs rather than a breeder, it's likely that your fish have flukes. DGs will do best when kept in pairs or trios. You probably have males as that is what is most readily available but try to find some females if you want to add more. Quarantine them and treat them for flukes before adding them to your main tank.
Mark
Mark
Dwarf Gourami's are very territorial. 4 in one tank is trouble. I would not replace them with more Dwarf Gourami's. They are a labrynth fish like a Betta hence why they are in this catagory. So they fight pretty severely. I had 2 in a 29 with 1 german blue ram. Had to get rid of one because they almost killed each other. I kept the picked on one because I figured maybe he was shy and gentle. After some time the gourami started going down and picking on my Ram, and if the rainbowfish stay near him to much he chases them. I got rid of him too. So of the 2 DG's I have had both have returned to a fish store as money out of my pocket. Not a fan of them especially when you are trying to house a few of the same sex.
Another thing I've learned, in addition to flukes, there are other diseases/illnesses/parasites that tend to plague dwarf gouarmi/gourami breeds. Many will develop sores and just die. I had a heck of a time finding one to live in my tank. It's a honey sunset dwarf gouarmi. Two powder blues and one earlier honey sunset died in short order before I found one that would live.