Powder Blue Gourami

Question
I have several community fish and a large plecostomus.  I may also be in the cycling stage.  We received an established tank from a friend but changed all the water and put in new gravel.  The plants and large rock decor must have bacteria still.  My Ph was up yesterday; got it fixed.  My ammonia level is up just slightly.  My question......I just bought a powder blue gourami and my normally peaceful Black skirted tetra who is the same size, fought with the gourami for about 24 hours.  They have reached somewhat of a truce now, but the gourami will not eat at normal feeding times.  Since he is timid and an algae eater, does he eat at night, or is he possibly starving himself to avoid confrontation? Or is he stressed from the water?

Answer
Dear Tammy,
It is very possible that you are in the cycling stage. Please watch the ammonia. That can kill your fish very quickly. Get  water conditioner that helps control ammonia, nitrites and nitrates to try  help control the ammonia  whenever you  do a water change. You might want to buy a container of bacteria to add to your tank just to help  with the cycling.  There is a brand called "Cycle" and that works really well.  Also, don't forget to do partial water changes since that will help control ammonia and nitrites.  The large plecostomus will create alot of waste and that will raise your ammonia level too.  
Gouramis can be shy and getting into a fight after just being added to the tank didn't help his shyness!  If you have enough plants and hiding places he will probably get over it, but he is probably very stressed from it.  The water could also be causing some of the problem since they can be sensitive to ammonia.  If he is having to compete with the other fish too much for food  that can also cause him to not bother to come out to eat.
Keep a very close watch on your  water conditions and it ammonia gets to high along with nitrites always do a partial water change to help control things.  Your gourami should start to eat better if you give him a little more time .
Hope this  helps!
Karen