Pearl Gouramis Fighting??

[bloodpirate]

I have two pearl gouramis in a community tank and they get along just fine with all the other fish. But one of them seems to be chasing the other gourami around the tank every now and then. I think they are both female for neither one has the cooperish chest. Are they fighting or playing or?? I have never seen them nip at each other just chase from one side of the tank to the other. Its a 55g tank so they have plenty of space. Any ideas?? Thanks in advance for any help.

[nwnittany]

I don't have a textbook answer for you but can tell you what I've observed in my tank.

I have two opalines (one is a traditional-looking three spot and the other is a marbled-blue one). One is maybe 5" and the other maybe 3", and I think both are female (I know gourami are supposedly easy to sex, but I look at the dorsal fin and most of the time it looks rounded but every once in a while it looks pointed).

20 gallon tank with 4 cory, 2 kuhli loaches, 3 guppy fry, and an ADF. Everyone gets along fine. But...

Occasionally, the larger gourami will follow the smaller one. It's not a fast chase and there's never any nipping. It's more like a game of follow-the-leader. Except, the leader doesn't really want to play, and usually squirms off after a trip or two around the tank.

I found it odd because the two generally get along. I'll often see them just hanging out at the bottom, side-by-side.

Guess this isn't much help, other than to say I've seen something similar.

[C-Dub]

I got a pair of pearls just this week. I have a M and a F and they swim around together almost 100% of the time, no chasing yet.

[bloodpirate]

Well I guess if its normal I wont worry for now. Just keep an eye on them I Guess.

[chris hop]

i have 2 gouramis and the bigger of the two seems to be showing aggreshion to the smaller one and the smaller one has what slooks like bite marks on its fins is this normal? is the smaller one going to be ok?