I had a Golden Gourami in a 10 gal tank by himself for about 7 moths then I upgraded to a 30 gal and put him in there with on more golden gourami and 7 red fin tetras. At first everything was all rainbows and sunshine as everyone was getting along...that changed about a week ago. Now the first gourami I had (biggest fish in the tank) is bullying everyone. He stays on one side of the tank and if anybody even looks at him he charges. What can I do to change this behavior or is it a lost cause?
What can I do with a fish that's a bully?
- Thread starter Mike4155
- Start date
Gold Gouramis get 6" long. They are related to bettas and can be prone to fighting if not given enough space. Your tank is not big enough for two of these fish. I would take one back or find it a new home and just keep one as a centerpiece fish with your tetras.
Also, check if your fish are male or female. Females will have a shorter, rounder dorsal fin, while males have a longer, pointed dorsal fin. You would be better off keeping a single female fish, as she will not bully the other tank mates also.
Also, check if your fish are male or female. Females will have a shorter, rounder dorsal fin, while males have a longer, pointed dorsal fin. You would be better off keeping a single female fish, as she will not bully the other tank mates also.
Last edited:
:iagree:
Golds are generally one of the more aggressive gourami species. You may be able to keep the one in the 30g depending on their individual personality but IMHO they need larger tanks. I would return the other one asap.
Golds are generally one of the more aggressive gourami species. You may be able to keep the one in the 30g depending on their individual personality but IMHO they need larger tanks. I would return the other one asap.
Agree that he needs more space. I generally wouldn't recommend even a lone T. trichopterus in a tank with less than a 4' footprint, though some will play nice in a slightly smaller area. You need to rehome one of the golds or get a much larger tank.
You said the gourami is bullying everyone even the tetras. You should get rid of one of them but unfortunately it may not solve all your problems. I mad the same mistake, 2 dwarf gourami in one tank. Fought like crazy, rehomed one and the left over gourami aimed his aggression at the other fish. Chased everyone around even my german blue ram. Ended up getting rid of him too. Never wanted a dwarf gourami again, to mean.
When I have a bully fish I take them to the LFS. I no longer bother with them as it becomes too difficult to understand what sets it off and what will work with the bad attitude. I already know who the alpha in each tank are so it becomes fairly easy to see who is rejected. IMO it isn't fair to try to make things work just to appease my desires.
If all else fails, pack his bags and send him on tour of your sewage system. Luckily, I haven't had to resort to that yet. (It is usually reserved for burials at sea).
If all else fails, pack his bags and send him on tour of your sewage system. Luckily, I haven't had to resort to that yet. (It is usually reserved for burials at sea).