What to do with uncooperative fish.

[morleyz]

I have a dwarf gourami who just isn't getting along in my 29G. He seems to just have a bad attitude and I've lost several fish recently to his agression. I'm sure that I won't be talking anyone I now into taking him off my hands.

What would you do in this situation? I'd really like to get my nice community tank back to a friendly community. I thought of throwing him into my 150G african tank and seeing how he felt getting bullied...but then I felt guilty...so now I'm at a loss

Thanks.

[rohai]

Do you have a local fish store that will take him off your hands? In my area we have a very nice specialty fish store that will do that as long as the fish is healthy. I wouldn't have the heart to give any of mine to a local pet store, but the specialty shop has a great reputation and since its prices are slightly higher than the corner pet shop it tends to attract a crowd that takes better care of their fish.

I should add that I also had problems with dwarf and snakeskin gouramis being kind of aggressive. My one platinum gourami (a variety of three spot i think) that I have left has a much nicer temperment. Since my gourami tank has all died off she is now with one cherry barb, four gold barbs, and a dwarf pleco and is a good tankmate. I was a bit surprised at how aggressive they could be especially since most of what I had read indicated the males were aggressive if there is more than one, and also that the males can get real pesky to the females. So, following their suggestions, I had almost all females and still had problems with temperment.

[morleyz]

I've thought about it...can't wait to hear the response to:

"yeah...I've got this $3 fish with a real aggression problem. Can you take him off my hands for me."

With my luck the friggin thing has some exotic disease that I'd infect their tanks with and they'd kick me out every time I tried to set foot in there.

[Richer]

You could always... setup a new tank just for your gourami... :D

-Richer

[Scooter]

The most economical solution is really a simple one. Smash him.

Just kidding. I agree with Richer. Just set up a 10g with an oto or two and dump him in there.

[morleyz]

That's not such a bad idea. I guess I was just pissed at him (how sad is that...I'm pissed at my fish)...I was thinking more of revenge than satisfying his needs. Thanks...I appreciate some words of wisdom.

[Scooter]

Hey Jeff. I checked out your website. Good looking tanks. And I agree with you wholeheartedly on the fishless cycling issue.

Though I've had gouramis before (still do) , I've never had any dwarfs. However, about the only gouramis I've seen or experienced that aren't belligerent are Pearls and Paradise Blues. Don't feel bad about being pissed. I've got a fish now that pisses me off nearly everyday :D and I've already moved him once. Hang in there.

[Twilight]

It usually takes me time to work up to it and get pissed off enough when I have had a fish like that......and when it finally does get me very pissed off I net him and flush him. I don't feel guilty by that time because I was too pissed to think straight. Besides....women are a little more eviler when pms-ing.

[redrf900]

Being he's a gourami, you could wrap him in a wet washcloth with just his head poking thru, like a taco bell chalupa, then carry him around with you...
Stick him in front of the family dog/cat/whatever.
Then when you're through with "scaring" him, plop him back in the tank. Repeat as necesary until aggression ceases. ;-) j/k

[Twilight]

LMAO redrf......:D Thanks for giving my first smile of the day.

[djlen]

Don't you just love the off-the-wall situations that Jeff comes up with?!?!
Jeff, just take the dad-gum fish the the pet store and leave it on the doorstep.....then it's their decision as to whether they want to be kind or cruel to the little s**t!!
Seriously, most lfs's will take fish off your hands in this kind of situation, especially if they know you......in YOUR case EVEN if they know you!!
And who ever heard of a violent dwarf gourami!!!!!
Len

[morleyz]

Originally posted by redrf900
Being he's a gourami, you could wrap him in a wet washcloth with just his head poking thru, like a taco bell chalupa, then carry him around with you...
Stick him in front of the family dog/cat/whatever.
Then when you're through with "scaring" him, plop him back in the tank. Repeat as necesary until aggression ceases. ;-) j/k

OK...now I've officially heard it all...stirs up interesting images:

http://www.foydl.com/hobby/images/misc/dwarftaco.jpg

[Archer]

LOL! Taco Bell, are you watching?? :D

I agree with the idea of giving the fish away to the LFS, especially if you're "donating" it for free ... The fish seems healthy enough, just aggressive. Most LFS also will put them in a quarantine tank to minimize the disease problem. IMO, most LFS will gladly take it.

[Tempest]

Whoever heard of a violent dwarf guarami? Heehees....

I have a 2 inch dwarf with a 6 inch attitude so I can relate with Morleyz. This fellow is weird in more than one way. He ignores the smaller fish and only chases the two larger angelfish. Those two have now gotten in to the habit of running about six inches, doing a turnabout, and chasing him back. I keep telling him he's biting off more than he can chew but does he listen? :D

Seriously though, this is one mean little sucker. A friend of mine was over Christmas eve and she had the audacity to wiggle her finger through the aquarium at the grommie.. He flared up and tried to attack through the glass. He swam back and forth in the aquarium flaring for a good ten minutes.. Talk about a pissed off fish. ;)

[karfixer]

:D LOL Morleyz-that's now my wallpaper for this week.

[Sting]

Eek! I'm planning on a Dwarf Gourami for my 10 Gallon with 6 or 7 Neons, and 2 Kuhli's. In this set up, do you think the Gourami (or Grommie LOL) would cause problems? I'd never heard of their aggression. Hm...:: ponders to himself ::...interesting.

[Tempest]

My *brave* gourami ignores the neons and cherry barbs and only challenges the larger angelfish. The angelfish were already in the tank when he was added. It was really odd in a way because he hid behind the filter all the time he was in the quarantine tank with the mollies. He never decided to become bold like this until he had the run of the 55 gallon. :)

[carfey]

I actually have been thinking the same thing. I have a three spot gourami that just loves to terrorize my other gouramis. He's so bad that I have one that's too scared to even come out of hiding for a second. I've thought of donating him back to the store but I kinda like him although he's miserable.

[moose1960]

WQhat about just grounding him for a few days. I had a paradise which was getting aggressive. I stuck him in a breeder box for a few days in the tank. so he got to see all the fish swimming and having fun and he was stuck in the corner. Put him back in after and he was a good boy.

[AnthonyNYC]

You can also get a tank separator. I had a similar situation. I gave the problem fish 1/10 of the tank with a screen that separated him from the rest of the tank. I then re-arranged EVERYTHING in the tank, all plants, rocks etc..... I let the other fish get used to the new environment and then I let him loose after about 3 days. All has been well since then.

Anthony

[Twilight]

You could also lie to the LFS and tell them something else when you leave your naughty fish. You guys are a blast.

[JamisonBWolsh]

Spank them...?? Perhaps.... :rolleyes: