I thought Guarmis were peaceful?

Question

Ok I just purchased a blue Guarmis because I thought the Green/Gold Colored one could use a friend. The blue one beats up on the smaller Green one. I can't tell if they are male/female. what can I do so we all just get along????
FYI - I also have 2 angels...2 Bala...3 Silver Dollars and 10 Neon Tetras in a 125 gallon tank and no one else has issues even the Angels

Answer 1

Yep, what you're seeing is a classic case of "only the strong survive" playing out in your aquarium.
Fish can be unpredictably aggressive and cannibalistic.
Some fish are less aggressive than others, some will become the bully of the tank...you just never know.
We can read about which fish are compatible with others when in the same tank but, the law of the tropical fish world still applies
"big fish attack and eat (or just injure or kill) smaller or weaker fish".
That's a pretty good sized tank, just be sure you have plenty of "hiding places" for the weaker fish to retreat into when they are being pursued or, set up another, smaller tank where you can move the unfortunate victims (or the attacker) into before "it's too late".

Answer 2

Gourami are usually peaceful, but two males sometimes fight over territory and the fact that one is smaller sure doesn't help. The best thing to do is return the blue one (probably a male) and either get a smaller female or a different fish entirely because they probably will not stop fighting.

Yopu can tell males from females by the top and bottom fins. The males fins are a little longer and much more pointed, like they point back to the tail.

MM

Answer 3

Dear lord no. Gourami are related to betta (aka siamese fighting fish), and many type are classified as semi-aggressive. Even the peaceful ones are aggressive towards other gourami of the same type. Also many gourami male are wife beaters.

Male paradise gourami tend to kill other male tank mates when they mature. Females need a large tank, and hiding spaces to cohabit. Kissing gourami only "kiss" male on male as a shoving match. 3 spot gourami are milder, but can get really mean if they spend lots of time alone. Dwarf gourami are shy, and peaceful, but will fight will other dwarfs, and are know wife beaters. Pearl gourami are peaceful, but they will chase each other, and fight at times.

I suspect you have a pair of 3-spot*, dwarf gourami, or a mix of the 2. They may be fine once they work things out, or they may just keep fighting.


*These guy have 2 spots, but the eye tends to line up with the spots creating a 3rd spot.

Answer 4

Guarmis

Answer 5

male gouramis can be territorial vicious beasties, male/female however are fine.

you can tell the difference as males will be more colourful, and have pointer ends to their anal and dorsal fins.