Dwarf Gouramis are a beautiful addition to any aquarium, but they can also be quite aggressive. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at why Dwarf Gouramis fight and how to avoid it.
We’ll also provide some tips on how to keep your Dwarf Gouramis happy and healthy. So if you’re thinking of adding a Dwarf Gouramis to your tank, read on!
Why Do Dwarf Gouramis Fight?
Dwarf Gouramis are a territorial species, meaning that they’re likely to fight with other Dwarf Gouramis that invade their personal space. In the wild, there’s only so much territory available.
So if a new fish enters their home turf, then it’s time to defend it. In an aquarium, this territorial behavior can sometimes be amplified by the small space your Dwarf Gouramis have to work with.
How Can I Tell If My Dwarf Gourami Is a Victim or a Bully?
It’s always best to avoid aggression before it starts. But even if you did nothing to stop a fight from breaking out, there are some ways you can tell which Dwarf Gourami is the aggressor.
If one Dwarf Gourami nips at another, then this usually means that they’re playing. If one looks unhappy, or leaves the area, then they might be a passive fish being bullied by an aggressive bully.
You should separate these two to avoid any further issues. A more aggressive, bullying fish will have more of a problem with other Dwarf Gouramis in the tank.
How Can I Avoid It?
The best way to avoid aggression is to keep your Dwarf Gouramis separate from each other. This may mean using dividers or adding an extra tank if you have an especially large tank.
But if you keep your Dwarf Gouramis in a smaller tank and don’t want to separate them, then you might want to consider adding more than one Dwarf Gourami at a time to the tank.
Adding multiple Dwarf Gouramis at once dramatically reduces the chances of aggression.
How Can I Keep My Dwarf Gouramis Happy and Healthy?
Keeping your Dwarf Gourami happy is simple. All you need to do is provide them with a few tank mates that they’ll get along with, plenty of hiding spots and plenty of food. That’s it!
Providing enough hiding spaces helps keep Dwarf Gourami stress levels low. This means that they won’t be as likely to fight with others in the tank.
So add plants, driftwood and rocks for them to hide under. If you have a larger tank, then you’ll want to provide more places for your Dwarf Gourami to go if they feel threatened or need a break from other tank mates.
For food, it’s helpful to feed live and frozen foods. Many Dwarf Gouramis enjoy bloodworms and brine shrimp, while others enjoy small insects or even pellets.
To ensure your Dwarf Gouramis health, invest in a quality filtration system. Good water filtration reduces stress and keeps the tank clean so that you don’t have to worry about disease or infection passing between fish.
Final Thoughts
No matter what type of tank, filter, or decoration you use, just be sure to avoid aggression. If you see your Dwarf Gourami fighting with other fish, then separate them immediately to reduce stress and damage.
