Male Dwarf Gourami fighting

[Linus]

I have two male Dwarf Gouramis in a 20g community tank. One Gourami seems
to be the dominant gourami and continuously attacks the other gourami. The
weaker gourami does not appear to be getting seriously hurt from the
attacks, but I would prefer to have a more peaceful community. Is there
anything that can be done other than separating the two fish? Would adding
a female dwarf gourami help or hurt the situation?

[TYNK 7]

>Subject: Male Dwarf Gourami fighting
>From: "Linus"
>Date: 10/4/2003 1:20 AM Central Daylight Time
>Message-id: >
>
>I have two male Dwarf Gouramis in a 20g community tank. One Gourami seems
>to be the dominant gourami and continuously attacks the other gourami. The
>weaker gourami does not appear to be getting seriously hurt from the
>attacks, but I would prefer to have a more peaceful community. Is there
>anything that can be done other than separating the two fish? Would adding
>a female dwarf gourami help or hurt the situation?
>

If you add a female, there's going to be even more harrassment for the other
guy.
It's a territorial issue here and the only thing you can do is either trade one
male in for a female or put one in a different tank. Even though there may not
be a lot of "damage" to the other guy..he isbeing damaged by stress. Stress is
major killer of fish.