Right now I have 3 gouramis and a pleco in my tank. My powder blue (George) and my silver one with spots (Jimmy) get along fine but Jimmy endlessly chases my sunset thicklip (Peaches). He lets her eat but after that, he chases her behind the filter and she doesn't come out until the next feeding. Obviously she's really stressed.
Peaches used to be bright yellow-orange but now her eyes are really dark and her head is too and her color is dark and around her tail fin is grey speckles. She's acting normal (until she gets chased) and everyone else is fine. She's been darker for a while now and I just noticed the grey stuff today. I read that she might have a bacterial thingy, but those are supposed to spread, right? Everybody else is fine, though.
2007-09-18 15:12:50 · 4 answers · asked by toph 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
Hey thanks for all the info so far -- just want to let you guys know that I have no idea whether Peaches is male or female, I just wanted to call "her" "Peaches" and "she" is kind of "girly looking". No info to back the name up whatsoever.
2007-09-19 15:15:41 · update #1
Are you sure Peaches is a female? Females are not often sold in stores... It seems more likely that Peaches fell to the bottom of the pecking order, and is now feeling the wrath of the dominant Gourami. Also, if you have a tank smaller than 55 gallons, I would suggest you either get rid of one Gourami or get a bigger tank. Gouramis can be aggressive towards their own species (but rarely go after other fish). If the fish feel too cramped, they will lash out at other fish (in this case, Peaches).
If Peaches is a female, it is likely that Jimmy is courting her. If this is so, I would separate them, or get 3 more females so the males can distribute their aggression equally instead of bullying one fish to death.
Soop Nazi
EDIT: If Peaches is a male (what an imasculinating name ;D), it is likely that he is the bottom of the pecking order and feeling the anger of the dominant male... I would suggest separating them or giving Peaches away. Plants are nice, but when a determined Gourami decides he doesn't like another Gourami, he will just tear straight through the plants.
2007-09-18 15:30:19 · answer #1 · answered by nosoop4u246 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
speckles sounds more like parasites like velvet than bacteria. i would do some research and see if thats what it is -- it looks kind of like its dusted with flour and in concentrations can look gold or bronze. you can treat velvet with ich meds. i don't know if plecos are ok with ich meds -- i would research first.
my best suggestion for making a happier tank is add LARGE plants (big enough to reach the top of hte water and bushy -- little thin plastic plants won't do it -- go for real plants like hyrgrophilias or big fabric leafed ones. that peaches can hide in and doesn't have to resort to hiding behind a filter. plants break up eye sight and fish are usually kind of out of sight out of mind so if the one doesn't see her he won't bother looking for her.
2007-09-18 15:23:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The male is most likely trying to mate with her and this will often stress the female out and she can die from that stress. If it's not that, then she is sick- fish often kill a sick fish in the same tank.
Make sure you have a cave in the tank where the fish can hid and also a plant or two.
2007-09-18 15:24:00 · answer #3 · answered by Madison 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well to treat her you will have to move her into a filtered bowl or tank where she can be by herself and you can administer the proper medication (get it at the pet store - tell them whats up and theyll tell you what to do) and it should go away within a few weeks as long as you follow the directions and change her water frequently. After that, I would just keep her in there by herself where she can be happy without being chased, or move Jimmy into the bowl by himself after you treat her and shes well again.
2007-09-18 15:27:20 · answer #4 · answered by Katey 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋