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	Odd Question!
SamanthaStorm Enthusiast Posts: 190 Kudos: 190 Votes: 51 Registered: 11-Nov-2004	Ok , i feel kind of ignorant, but what are the long "thread-like" things that gouramis have on their body? they appear to be feeling around with them? sorry if this is sill question:%) Sam
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:56
superlion Mega Fish Posts: 1246 Kudos: 673 Votes: 339 Registered: 27-Sep-2003	Those are their pelvic fins. see here ><>
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:56
So_Very_Sneaky Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 3238 Kudos: 2272 Votes: 201 Registered: 10-Mar-2004	Its not an odd question, its a good question. Those long things are feelers. Scientists reckon they are a sensitive sensory organ. They are used both as touch sensory feelers, and as taste sensory feelers. There may be even more to them than that, the scientific community is not entirely sure. Come Play Yahtzee With Me! http://games.atari.com Http://www.myleague.com/yahtgames
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:56
SamanthaStorm Enthusiast Posts: 190 Kudos: 190 Votes: 51 Registered: 11-Nov-2004	ahh i see, makes sense now! They seem to use them a lot to feel each other. I was looking at their tank in the LFS where there was about 10, and they would follow each other, then go around in circles head to the other ones tail, and using their feelers ,what would this be? Sam
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:56
sirbooks Moderator Sociopath Posts: 3875 Kudos: 5164 Votes: 932 Registered: 26-Jul-2004	I too have noticed the 'feeling' done by gouramis. My guess is that the feelers are sense/taste organs, and have sensory pits or something on their tips. I think that gouramis check each other out with their feelers as a way to reassure each other of their presence and intentions, or to 'experience' the other fish. If my theory is true, it is sort of like dogs sniffing each other. Does that make sense? And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:56
SamanthaStorm Enthusiast Posts: 190 Kudos: 190 Votes: 51 Registered: 11-Nov-2004	Definately does, thanks books!
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:56
divertran Fish Addict Posts: 784 Kudos: 469 Votes: 165 Registered: 14-Nov-2004	I forget what they're called, but that is what I think as well. They are used for feeling and for a sense of presense. They use the tendrils to locate food and stuff. I read all about them while researching them for my tank but forgot what site had the best info. Anyway, they are delicate, and care should be taken when netting them.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:56
labrakitty Fish Addict Posts: 740 Kudos: 435 Votes: 9 Registered: 12-Nov-2004	I have 2 lace gouramis and put my finger in the tank and one came up and wiggled its feelers all over my finger, then it came up and nibbled on my finger. Teh other one did the same.so cute!
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:56
divertran Fish Addict Posts: 784 Kudos: 469 Votes: 165 Registered: 14-Nov-2004	The other day I put a couple algae wafers in the tank for Petey, my little rubbernose, and to my surprise Bruno, my bigger blue dwarf gourami. went on down and started munching on it, after he felt it up with his feelers. Sad part is I could HEAR him munchin it, and there were these little bits and crumbs that fell off the wafer when he chomped.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:56


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