My Gourami is Crazy

[smithw14]

Okay, so -

I have noticed that sometimes my very skittish blue gourami will change colors at night. Not a big deal, his mood is changing. I always think that he gets darker when he is stressed or angry or scared, but I guess it could be for other reasons (maybe hes REALLY REALLY HAPPY!!)

So, back to my story - last night I was getting ready for bed and I noticed that the Gourami was very dark blue, like he occasionally gets, his dorsal fin and anal fin standing straight up like he is trying to scare away a rival. It got my attention and I went closer to the tank and just sat and watched as my gourami begun to square off with the glass in the side of the tank. What the..?!? I sat there and for a good 20 seconds Mr. Gourami proceeded to try to attack the glass side of the tank. He would puff his lips/jaw up and press it to the glass and try to swim really hard. Obviously he did not move an inch, and he would stop after a second and then repeat this cycle for a good 20 - 30 seconds.

So I thought maybe he was seeing his reflection in the glass. But that was perplexing to me because I thought that the fish see out of the glass - didn't really know there was a reflection.

So then I thought maybe he's just crazy, or board, or is trying to get stationary exercise...I dunno..

Anyway, just wanted to share.

 

[Guest]

my paradise fish (similar to gouramis, also labrynth fish with attitudes) do the same thing. I think when it is darker outside the tank than inside, they do see reflections.

 

[smithw14]

my paradise fish (similar to gouramis, also labrynth fish with attitudes) do the same thing. I think when it is darker outside the tank than inside, they do see reflections.

Ahhhhh - very good point! I can see that being the case. So next time it happens, just to boost the poor guys ego a bit, I'll let him fight himself for a minute, then turn on the light, making his opponent "disappear". That'll make him feel special.

 

[Guest]

hehehe. he will feel macho =)

 

[Tostada]

I think that's called isometrics.

All labrynth fish are a little crazy/stupid, ya know.

 

[hoppershaun]

Yeah, my dwarf gourami tends to be a bit crazy. I love the way he acts though, think it gives him his own distinct personality.

 

[smithw14]

mine gets freaked out so easily. Sometimes when he is eating at the top he will I suppose hear or see or think he hears or sees something and just take off around the tank, tossing up substrate and everything - which in turn freaks out the other fish in my tank- lol!