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	Strange gourami behaviour
yaltiprop Small Fry Posts: 2 Votes: 0 Registered: 03-Sep-2004	I have a pair of pearl gouramis in a 90 gal tank. Although they both appear to be perfectly relaxed and content most of the time, several times a day (and night) the male will just go beserk! He will frantically dart around the tank, attempting to leap out of the water, and bashing into objects and other fish. He will then swim in ever decreasing anti-clockwise circles while sinking to the bottom, where he will just sit still for about 30 seconds before swimming off normally as though nothing had happened. I'm a bit worried, because he now has obvious injuries on his head, and once he managed to find the small gap in the aquarium cover, and end up on the carpet. None of the other fish in the tank (clown loaches, neons, kribs and bristlenoses) appear to be sick or stressed in any way, so I am sure the water quality is fine.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:49
sirbooks Moderator Sociopath Posts: 3875 Kudos: 5164 Votes: 932 Registered: 26-Jul-2004	If I were you, I would test my water anyways, and perhaps make a water change. I am betting that water quality has something to do with it, because a fish does not change behavior for no reason. Your fish may be sick, though, and if you find that water quality is not an issue, I would put the gourami in a quarantine tank. 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 11:49
fry Enthusiast Posts: 243 Kudos: 195 Votes: 3 Registered: 27-Jul-2004	i don't know. something is making that fish act like a mental patient. maybe that's the problem. is there any other tank you could move him to to check if he stops that frantic behavior? anyway, i doubt if such a complex behavior is due to water parameters.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:49
bensaf Fish Master Posts: 1978 Kudos: 1315 Registered: 08-Apr-2004	You could possibly have a water borne parasite problem. Was the fish showing any signs of itching, scaping against ornaments ? Might possibly be an internal parasite problem distressing the fish. 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.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:49
yaltiprop Small Fry Posts: 2 Votes: 0 Registered: 03-Sep-2004	No, no sign of itching or scratching. No sign of distress at all, apart from the regular panic attacks. I thought maybe it was common pearl gourami behaviour, but obviously not. Anyway, I'm afraid it is all acedemic, now. He is no longer with us. Died of his head injuries, I expect. I will just have to assume he was somehow mentally deranged. Thanks for all your advice, anyway.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:49


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