Normal for Pearl to swim around frantically?

**serbusfish** · 01-04-2013, 09:18 PM

I bought a Pearl Gourami on Thursday, it was shy at first but soon started swimming around exploring. Today however it is at the front of the tank swimming up and down the glass, and from left to right. I thought it might be hungry as it didnt eat on the first day so I put some food in but it barely touched it, it only nibbled on some of the smaller pieces.

Is this normal behavior? Or will it settle down? My ammonia/nitrite levels are good so ive ruled that out.

**koaladarshana** · 01-04-2013, 09:24 PM

How big is your tank? Two things it could be are he might simply be adjusting to his new environment or he might feel cramped. My dwarf gourami was also frantically pacing the tank on his first day; it helped to turn off the lights above the tank and dim the room.

**serbusfish** · 01-04-2013, 10:16 PM

Originally Posted by koaladarshana

How big is your tank? Two things it could be are he might simply be adjusting to his new environment or he might feel cramped. My dwarf gourami was also frantically pacing the tank on his first day; it helped to turn off the lights above the tank and dim the room.

Its a Juwel Rio 125. Ok cheers I will turn the light off now and see if he calms down.

**sheamurai** · 01-04-2013, 10:23 PM

Aside from acclimatising, frantic pacing may also be a sign of bullying. Try and see if anyone is constantly following him around, once you've ruled out the acclimatising period.

A fish doesn't necessarily have to show damage to be stressed by other tankmates.

**serbusfish** · 01-04-2013, 11:38 PM

Originally Posted by sheamurai

Aside from acclimatising, frantic pacing may also be a sign of bullying. Try and see if anyone is constantly following him around, once you've ruled out the acclimatising period.

A fish doesn't necessarily have to show damage to be stressed by other tankmates.

He seems to have calmed down now and I didnt even turn the light off. He went back to exploring + picking at algae. My Black Skirts havent bothered him from what ive seen, he swims with them or past them and they act like he isnt even there. I admit that when I first put him in one was a little curious and was watching his feelers flailing about but thats it. Maybe he is just acclimatising.

**steeler1** · 01-06-2013, 06:28 AM

It sounds like the problem worked it's self out. Good luck with the Pearl they are one of my favorite Gourami's.

**ScottishFish** · 01-06-2013, 07:43 AM

Hopefully it was just acclimation problems, however you said earlier that your nitrite and ammonia levels are good. That's kinda vague, any ammonia showing in a tank is not good. Also anything above 10ppm nitrites aint too good either.

**serbusfish** · 01-06-2013, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by ScottishFish

Hopefully it was just acclimation problems, however you said earlier that your nitrite and ammonia levels are good. That's kinda vague, any ammonia showing in a tank is not good. Also anything above 10ppm nitrites aint too good either.

When I say they are good I mean they are at 0

In any case he is still doing the pacing, even when the tank light is off. He doesnt do it all the time, sometimes he will go and explore for a bit then goes back to it

**Taurus** · 01-06-2013, 03:23 PM

He's just exploring his new surroundings.

**serbusfish** · 01-07-2013, 12:20 AM

Originally Posted by Taurus

He's just exploring his new surroundings.

Thats fine but whats worrying me is the fact he isnt really eating the flake food im putting in, he will go near the top of the tank when I feed the other fish but he wont take the food. Are you supposed to feed Gouramis something else like bloodworm? I tried breaking up an algae wafer but he didnt touch it.