Molly and Gourami inseparable?

[BassetsForBrown]

Hi,
In my father's tank, a Gourami, and what appears to be a Molly are inseparable. The Molly closely follows the Gourami wherever he goes. There is no aggression between them. The other tank mates are an Angel, some Clown Loaches, and Corys.

Any idea why this would happen?

 

[tlindsey]

Hi,
In my father's tank, a Gourami, and what appears to be a Molly are inseparable. The Molly closely follows the Gourami wherever he goes. There is no aggression between them. The other tank mates are an Angel, some Clown Loaches, and Corys.

Any idea why this would happen?View attachment 1484716View attachment 1484717View attachment 1484718

Just being social.

 

[BassetsForBrown]

Just being social.

Apparently the Molly has been following the Gourami in this manner for the 2 years since the Molly was added, it's never strays for than about 3 body lengths. That seems like more than just being social.

 

[tlindsey]

Apparently the Molly has been following the Gourami in this manner for the 2 years since the Molly was added. That seems like more than just being social.

That would probably change if more Molly's were added.

 

[tlindsey]

I have a old Neon and a Rummynose Tetra that does the same after others from their group died.

 

[BassetsForBrown]

That would probably change if more Molly's were added.

I dont have any experience with Molly's, and very little with Gouramis. Is it normal that a Molly would attach itself to a fish of a different species like this, and for this amount of time?

 

[tlindsey]

I dont have any experience with Molly's, and very little with Gouramis. Is it normal that a Molly would attach itself to a fish of a different species like this, and for this amount of time?

I don't think it's normal but the Molly may think it's beneficial to hang with the Pearl Gourami because my 4 Pearl Gourami look for food everytime I'm near the aquarium lol.

 

[The Masked Shadow]

Add more to the aquarium and the molly will hang with the mollies.

 

[Deadeye]

It may even think the gourami is a female molly and wants to breed with it…
My male nonstop follows my female when he wants to breed.
But I agree, if there is no aggression then there’s nothing to worry about!

 

[Hybridfish7]

I had a sailfin that would constantly try to breed with my acara. She didn't seem to care, but was twice his size so that's probably where the attraction came from.