(Red) Flame Dwarf Gouromi

[muzikicon]

So I bought a new flame gouromi today to be buds with my blue dwarf gouromi that my girlfriend gave me for my tank. I'm almost certain that the one I already have is a female because you the rust colored stripes are very faint. The flame dwarf gouromi is for sure a male. I expected that I might have to get another female because the male might pick on the female. Now, here is what is strange. I put the flame gouromi in the tank and the blue female attacked it constantly. The blue female is a little bigger than the male and this is the only reason for this i could think of. Is this just normal and will it subside or i'm i going to have to get take back one or the other? I'm rather confused.

My Tank:
20 Long
4 zebra danios
blue dwarf gouromi
red flame dwarf gouromi

Thanks for any ideas
:confused:

[OrionGirl]

Coloration is not a reliable means of sexing many fish. Instead, look at the finnage. The male should have a pointed dorsal fin, and females will have a rounded dorsal. Unless specifically marked, female dwarf gouramies are seldom found for sale in LFS. I've seen them no more than 2-3 times.

Even with a male and female, there will be aggression--the first fish in the tank picks the entire tank as hers, and the male is an invader.

[muzikicon]

Hum, I'll post a picture in a few mins. See if anyone can sex this fish for me.

[muzikicon]

Alright... here a couple of pictures of the Blue Gouromi.. had some probs with flash but you get the picture.

http://www4.ncsu.edu/~chclark/Picture%20003.jpg


http://www4.ncsu.edu/~chclark/Picture%20004.jpg

[OrionGirl]

Looks like a male to me--sorry. The aggression should subside, especially if you provide lots of visual breaks at the surface, like floating plants, and decorations they can hide behind. Removing the aggressive fish and -arranging the decorations, then adding both at the same time may help as well. I had 2 males in a 40 with no problems, but they were added at the same time. If you can get the current occupant to accept the newcomer, it can work out.

Otherwise, I'd return the new fish. Gouramies really don't care for much company, as I'm sure you've discovered! ;)

[Hebdizzle]

The first one is a male... if the second picture is of the same fish then it is a male too :)

[muzikicon]

Thanks so much for the help... i'll let you know how it goes. I took the blue one out for a while and move decorations around some so hopefully they will get along. He is still picking at the flame some but its not constant. Thanks again!

[Hebdizzle]

I have 2 red fire gouramis ( I have also seen them called flamingo gouramis) and they are wonderful fish. They are one of my favorite types of community fish. Good luck with them, I am sure they will eventually get along with your other ones.

aaron