Gourami behavior

Question
Hi, I have two questions about my gouramis.

I have a "seasoned" 25 gal. tank with lots of plants (floating included) and rocks for hiding places which I recently decided to restock.   I started with one gold gourami and then added a blue opaline.   I made the mistake of misjudging the size of my gold gourami & brought home a blue that was about an inch too small.   The gold chased it relentlessly--barely giving it time to breath from the surface.  

I tried adding additional plants to break up the space even more and a third gourami (a platinum) that was as big as the gold.   This calmed things down very nicely for a few weeks, and the smaller blue fish had a life again!

However, things got worse recently.   The platinum created a massive bubble-nest and turned more territorial.   The little blue was a main target and--between the platinum and the gold--the little blue was chased constantly, with almost no rest time.  The platinum would even seek him out in the little caves where he tried to find shelter.  It was depressing.

Fortunately, I have a 10 gallon quarantine tank that I moved the blue to.   He's much happier!

My questions are this:

1.  Could I wait until the blue gourami grows in size and then try reintroducing him to the others?  If so, what is the strategy for reintroduction.   

2. What do I do about the platinum gourami's bubble-nest?  I don't want to breed, is it okay to remove all or part of it (it's taking over the tank), or will that stress him out?  

Answer
Hello Marissa-

You did a great job so far of handling the problem!

As for your questions;

1.) You can wait to see if the blue's behavior changes as he grows, but once he has turned submissive he will most likely remain as such. I haven't had much luck with changing fishes' "ideas of rank" after they are established, even by changing their tank mates and surroundings.

2.) You're lucky to get a nest! My guys refuse to blow them unless a female is present.

Anyways, you can take the nest out, but he will just repair it after a few days of being grouchy. It doesn't stress them, so to speak, but it makes them "grumpy."

Here's what I think: The blue is a female, and that was why she was being chased constantly (this also explains the appearance of the nest.) Now that she has been removed, the platinum male should let his nest dissolve over time. Watch him carefully to be sure he and the gold don't fight. If they do start tearing each other up, you can build a screen divider from a screen window kit to custom fit your tank for about $4.00.

Hope this is useful!
-Amber Worman