Maybe too many gouramis

**Bert_ho** · 09-12-2012, 05:17 PM

I have just introduced 3 red dwarf gouramis to my 70l community tank. It has become apparent that one fish is being bullied by one of the others - nipping and damaging all the fins. Have I erred by putting these three in together or is there something I can do to save the poorly chap.

**pjaldave** · 09-12-2012, 05:21 PM

You should never put multiple labyrinth fish (gouramis, bettas, etc.) in the same tank as they will tear each other apart. especially when you only have 70L (18G) tank.

Will recommend bringing them back to your LFS and do proper research first.

**fishkeeper4** · 09-12-2012, 05:23 PM

That tank is probably too small with not enough hiding spaces. I agree with the above advice and at least take one of them back.

**pjaldave** · 09-12-2012, 05:24 PM

Nope, take all 3 of them back. If you take one back, there's still two and they will still fight.

**MandyK** · 09-12-2012, 05:34 PM

Or just take 2 back???? Then there's only one.

**Lady Hobbs** · 09-12-2012, 05:45 PM

Common mistake with gourami's. You see several in tanks at the fish store and think they are compatible. They are not.

**C-Dub** · 09-13-2012, 12:37 AM

The specific type you mention IMO are especially bad with each other. Made that mistake before as well, oh well, lesson learned. Gotta get rid of 2 of them!

**Bert_ho** · 09-13-2012, 06:05 PM

Thanks for all the quick responses - I thought that I may have been a little dumb!! Unfortunately the bullied gourami gave up the ghost this morning. The remaining 2 seem perfectly content with each others company - the tank is quite heavily planted, so I think there is plenty of room to hide from each other if this is to change.