I am a relatively new aquarium owner as of 9 months ago. I started with a 10 gallon tank, researched and asked lots of questions I ended up with 6 harlequin raspboras, and 2 beautiful honey gouramis. I took pride in the fact, as a novice, I never lost a fish during all this time. All were active, thriving, and living in peaceful harmony. I didn't know the sex of the two honeys at first, as they were young and looked identical the first few months to me. Then one became darker in color and developed the dark black stipes down both sides of his body as he happily built bubble nests and pursued the female. They basically were indedpendent of one another otherwise, exploring their environment with cute antics, and very entertaining to watch. With regular water changes, there were never any eggs that I could see. This bubble nest ritual happened a number of times and was short lived. Except in month 9. Right after a water change, the male once again began building a bubble nest, and began relentlessly pursuing the female. I had to add a second cave where she could go to hide. He became very aggressive to her this last time. Every time she ventured out to go up for air, he would come out of nowhere and dive bomb her. Same thing happened during feeding, and he wouldn't let her eat. He chased her relentlessy and even nipped off ALL of her beautiful fan tail "feathers". None left! It was so sad. They had been a beautiful peaceful pair for 8 months. She became so stressed and turned almost white. This activity all took place over a period of 6 days and it was so disheartening. She couldn't catch a break and spent her days in a safe hiding place in one of the caves I added. I ordered a 3 gallon holding tank ASAP for him as soon as I realized what was happening. I wanted him out of there to give her rest, her fin tail now gone, and all. It took her 24 hours before she realized she could come up for air and stay there, and another 24 before she realized she could now eat once again in peace. Tailess now, a bit of her natural coloring has returned, but not nearly as bright as the first 8 months. She is once again swimming around the tank after 3 days, feeling safe and secure with the male gone.
I have turned the 3 gallown holding tank into a mini aqaurium with subtrate, afew small artifical plants and cave, a mini filter, and a mini LED light for the time being. The male is happily the sole king of his domain swimming around and exploring like before. No bubble nests, no female to torment, and his dark black stripes have completely disappeard as he is out of mating mode. I have since read if you have 2 honeys, a minimum of a 20 gallon tank is needed. Of course, his coloring is just beautiful still, and his body is completely intact.
Altough my female seems very happy once again, it saddens me to see most of her beautiful coloring now all washed out, and her beautiful fin tail gone. But she is safe and enjoying the 10 gallon aquarium with the 6 raspboras. Sorry this was so long. Just wanted to share my experience with these "peaceful" honey gouramis.