Bored Dwarf Gourami

[nategi]

My dwarf gourami in my 20 gallon long tank spends most of his day pacing against the glass on the front of the tank. I recently added some more decor, it sparked his interest for a couple days but now hes back to pacing. He doesn't seem very aggressive to the other fish, so I was thinking of adding another male dwarf gourami, or would it be better to try to find a female? Otherwise I am not sure what else to do to keep him from being bored.

 

[Jason7894561230]

Nah hes not bored he i just happy and relaxed. He is in his routine. But if you want to add another one well thats alright then. What else is in the tank?

 

[nategi]

6 neon tetras, 6 white clouds, and 2 otos

 

[mandy2936]

Hi,
I have a male Dwarf Gourami and he usually does the same thing. Not tooo much, though. He's very active and will swim around the tank but definitely likes to hang out near walls.
You probably shouldn't add another male- they will likely fight.
Adding females might be a problem too... I've heard of DG's fighting with the females as well.
I'd just leave it alone. I was concerned when my DG looked lonely too, but I recommend that you don't add any more DG's. They become very territorial.

I have a 20 gallon with 5 male Guppies, 6 Neon Tetras, 4 Julii Cories, 1 Dwarf Gourami, and soon 3 Otocinclus Catfish.

 

[nategi]

Ok, thanks. I wasn't sure if his behavior was normal but apparently it is, so I won't add any more.

 

[mandy2936]

Yep. Good luck!

 

[taylorodw]

Welcome nategi!

I would add more decor. Constantly "dancing" or pacing back and forth on the glass can be a sign of stress.

Edit: Figured I should elaborate. If the fish is almost always against the glass, it is generally because no matter where the fish goes in the aquarium, it can see its reflection in the glass, and goes to investigate. Adding more decor breaks up the tank (try to think from the fish's point of view) so that the fish is visually interested in other things.

The other common reason for constant glass-dancing is the fish trying to rub off something on its scales - but this is a less likely scenario.

 

[mandy2936]

Mine did this during the first 2 days but now he seems to have settled in and has stopped the "stressful" behavior. How long have you had yours?

 

[nategi]

I've had him for about 3-4 weeks I think. I don't really have anymore room in the tank for more decor, but I did break off the plastic branches of a plant and floated them on top of the water so they kind of sink into the tank a little and he seems to like that, and he started sleeping in a cave that I put in the tank. He doesn't seem to be pacing quite as much as he use to but he still does it quite often.