Gourami Help

[KCK]

Please, move this if this isn't the place. I could not find labyrinth fish anywhere on the site...

I have a pair in a 5g(I think) and the female has been getting her arse handed to her.. I know the male is agressive, after spawning, but I don't think they've spawned yet..
There's a knot of duckweed that looks like an underwater bird nest, but I think that's just the waterfall pushing plants underwater and up into the knot..

There's bubbles everywhere but not enough for a nest. The male is extremely aggressive with her, usually chasing her in circles around the plant. She usually turns completely flat on her side midwater while the male pecks at her side. I don't know if this is how spawning is triggered or if he's just unusually aggressive.

Thanks for the help ahead of time.

 

[KnifefishFan]

what i would do is take the male out and leave the female there for a few weeks...let her get comfortable and established. thats when i would put the male in.

 

[piggy67]

How long have they been together?
The male will use plant material for nest building. Check the "underwater bird nest" for eggs. They will usually be free swimming after about 3-4 days. If you have eggs the male will be very aggressive towards the female even to the point of killing her. After spawning females should be removed from the tank...

 

[kevinfleming21]

How long have they been together?
The male will use plant material for nest building. Check the "underwater bird nest" for eggs. They will usually be free swimming after about 3-4 days. If you have eggs the male will be very aggressive towards the female even to the point of killing her. After spawning females should be removed from the tank...

all bubble nester's males will violently defend the nest, eggs, and fry from the female. Sounds like you might have a batch even though you have not seen them. I would remove the female and just keep an eye on the male and the nest.

 

[KCK]

No babies. It was just a knot from the waterfall pushing duckweed underwater.

I lowered water to 6" and put a bunch of plastic plants and stuff in the corner for her to hide. I also unplugged the Eclipse's filter and put an airstone just BARELY in the water, and the water is undisturbed basically. But I pretty much destroyed the knot.. and I'm about to take it out so they don't try to breed in it and drown their babies..

 

[KCK]

No babies. It was just a knot from the waterfall pushing duckweed underwater.

I lowered water to 6" and put a bunch of plastic plants and stuff in the corner for her to hide. I also unplugged the Eclipse's filter and put an airstone just BARELY in the water, and the water is undisturbed basically. But I pretty much destroyed the knot.. and I'm about to take it out so they don't try to breed in it and drown their babies..

I believe the source of the problem was they were running at 70F,
Vacuum'd about 20% of the water (6") and added water until it was full, around a foot tall I think.
I put the old filter back on and with the new water level I think this is My best bet. I also stole my 30g's heater and stuck it in the middle of the tank.
I'm going to raise them to 80F-82F and keep them there.
Wish them luck, eh?