Dwarf Gourami behavior...

[theredchaser]

This is my first time with this species of fish and I had a few concerns...

The setup is a 10 gallon heavily planted tank with 2 shrimp and 2 platy's, and the one male dwarf gourami. Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates, pH, hardness all check out ok.

I read that this species is supposed to be kind of timid. Not so with this guy. He doesn't pick on any of the fish but definately isn't shy or anything close to it. He aggressively goes after food.

The problem is that he spends the entire day going back and forth on the glass like he's posessed. The only time he doesn't go back and forth is when he's eating or sleeping. He doesn't rest in between.

What could be the source of the problem? I don't think he's doing this nonstop for exercise... Doesn't seem like breeding behavior since he's alone and not making any bubble nests. Just to be sure, I added some floating plants to see if he does anything but he's just ignoring 'em. I don't think its a hunger issue either... I even considered maybe he's constipated so I went and bought algea wafers which he promptly ignored.

This leads me to believe that its either 1) too small tank? or 2) disease. The pet store I bought him from had a tank crammed full of male dwarfs so I don't *think its a tank issue. There are no external signs of disease. All fins are clean and solid, no spots, colors are bright. Could it be gill flukes?

Any imput would be appreciated. I've never had anything like this happen before.:confused:

[jbradt]

How long has he been in the tank? I had one that acted like you describe for about a week before he settled down.

[theredchaser]

This is his fourth day. Did you do anything/feed anything that might have calmed him down? I put in a cave for him but the platy's have called dibs on it...

[jbradt]

Nope, he just acted all frazzled for a few days then began to calm down. I thought the first two days he might die from spazziness, but he pulled through and was a champ after that. Maybe try keeping the lights out for a day or so, but mine seemed to just pull himself out of it. Hope it works out!

[DAVIDFBT]

All fish act weird in the first week or so of being in your tank. He should be fine after 10 days.

[jpappy789]

Stock seems fine, I wold just give him sometime to adjust as the move and new environment is probably stressful. If the problem persists than we will have to look deeper.

[msjinkzd]

I would give him more time to settle in before you worry. It took my honey gourami awhile to settle in and relax in my tank. As long as the fish is eating well, pooping normally, and has good body condition, I would not be concerned right now.

[Zaffy]

I've kept a dwarf gourami with platties before. I would say give him a few more days to calm down.

He may just be getting used to the new tank and trying to stake out a territory. Make sure he has something tall to hang out around, either a plant or decoration that he can call his own.

[theredchaser]

Well he seems to be doing a little bit better. Now he only does the glass marathon for an hour after I turn on/off my lights. He seems to be preoccupied with a thermometer I put in anyhow... I guess I was worried about nothing.

Thanks for the replies :3

[jbradt]

Keep a good eye on him to make sure there are no physical abnormalities, but he should be fine. Glad it's working out!

[deez sumps]

He may be one of the ones that gets all loaded up with hormones to make them all male.

I assume that this isn't a honey gourami?

I was going to say:

I say give him a pretty little girlfriend. Some same-species company.
Sounds like he's the big cheese of the tank, might as well let him show off.

I have a pair of dwarf honey gouramies along with a pair of checkerboard cichlids and a few pygmy rasboras and corydoras in a well-planted 10g cube. Happy as a clam. Struts his stuff, then goes back to hang out in the top moss.

[jpappy789]

Adding a female wouldn't be a good idea IMO with this small of tank...

[Guppy Guy]

my dwarf guarami is in mating season:)http://dragcave.net/image/D6IX.gif (http://dragcave.net/viewdragon/D6IX)http://dragcave.net/image/322n.gif (http://dragcave.net/viewdragon/322n)http://dragcave.net/image/zbTd.gif (http://dragcave.net/viewdragon/zbTd)http://dragcave.net/image/SVAR.gif (http://dragcave.net/viewdragon/n/Deepest_Blue)http://dragcave.net/image/Tbsl.gif (http://dragcave.net/viewdragon/n/Empty_black)http://dragcave.net/image/Qh3z.gif (http://dragcave.net/viewdragon/n/Mist_wave)

[theredchaser]

Well I thought about getting him a girlfriend, but no local fish stores sell female dwarfs. I don't mind mail ordering for a female but if he doesn't like her then I'm going to have to get a separate tank for her.... I guess if he behaves it won't be out of the question. >.>;