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Hi folks,

I'm new to freshwater aquaria, well any kind of aquaria really. My tank (4ft, 48 gallons) has been set up for about a month now, it has 3 silver sharks, 4 phantom tetras, 1 female flame dwarf gourami, and a male dwarf gourami also. The problem i have is that i just introduced the male gourami yesterday (the female has been in the tank 1 week), and almost from the get go the female started giving him grief! She was chasing him and acting particularly aggresive. However, today she has spent the majority of her time hiding under rock formations barely moving!! What the??

I have been cruising the forums and noticed many people saying that females are quite plain in colour and not very bright, however, (the LFS assured me that it was a female) my girl is very bright red with a blue top fin (still learning the terminology!) Is she really a guy in drag? What should i do to stop this behaviour or is this just some kind of temporary territorial behaviour?

Thanks,

DonRom

From your describtion it does indeed sound like your female is fact a male ! The female dwarves are indeed a drab silver or grey.

Another way to sex gourami is by the dorsal (top) fin. In males it will be pointed at the end where as females have a shorter much rounder dorsal fin.

If both male yes they are having terriotorial disputes. This may settle down after they've both established their own turf. Once there's enough room for each to keep out of the others way this should become bearable.

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

I agree with Bensaf, sounds like you have a female. Also it sounds like they will have plenty of room in a tank that size...give it some time, and afterwards give your LFS a peice of your mind ]:|




Last edited by Jessnick at 06-Feb-2005 10:03