Platies Bullying Dwarf Gourami

[JakeD]

Hey all,

I decided to set up an aquarium, and under the recommendation of a local owned pet store I did just that. It is a 5 gallon aquarium with some larger (fake) plants and some ornaments (sunken ship/skull) for the fish to swim through and hide in.

The store recommended a few different kinds of fish of which, platies and dwarf gouramies were suggested. She thought that I could keep 5 fish in the tank, as long as it was well maintained (seems like a lot to me...) so i got 4 Platties and 1 dwarf gourami.

The fish seem to like the tank, lots of movement and not a lot of hiding in corners and such but i have noticed that the platties are nipping at the gourami. Is this something that can be addressed? They don't seem to do it when I feed them, but I would imagine that food is a little more exciting than picking on a fish twice your size.

Should I get rid of some fish? (how?) I would consider a slightly larger tank, but I am little short on cash. Suggestions?

Thanks!!

Jake

[Lady Hobbs]

Tank is too small for either of them and certainly for 5. Don't listen to those workers and do your own research before you buy and you won't be given the bum steer. I guess you probably didn't cycle the tank?

I would return them all and make that a shrimp tank or perhaps get a betta.

[JakeD]

Thanks,

I did some preliminary research and the pet store was Pruess Pets in Lansing. I did however have get the fish locally at a big store (unfortunately) because I needed to cycle the tank.

few extra questions, how big of a tank would they need? I really like the Gourami, so I would prefer to try to work that one out if possible.

Thanks for your help!