Dwarf Gourami: A Comprehensive Guide to Care and Breeding

The dwarf gourami is a peaceful and shy fish. When kept in pairs, they tend to swim together. These fish are classified as labyrinth fish, meaning they breathe air using a lung-like labyrinth organ and must have access to the water's surface. When breeding, they construct intricate bubble nests, showcasing their construction skills.

Characteristics

Origin and Distribution

Originating in India, West Bengal, Assam, and Bangladesh, the dwarf gourami are native to thickly vegetated waters. They are often found together with other gourami species in the genus Trichogaster (also known as Colisa). In the river plains of northern India, larger species of gouramis are one of the most common food fish and are sold dried or as fish-meal in many markets.

Colors and Markings

Its common name "dwarf" fits this fish well, as it is one of the smallest of the gouramis. Males are slightly larger than females and have a bright orange-red body with turquoise-blue, vertical stripes that extend into the fins. Females remain a duller, silvery blue-gray color and never achieve the male's brilliant colors.

Several color variants have been developed by selective breeding at fish farms, including solid light blue (powder blue), neon, rainbow, and red/blushing. Powder blues are predominately blue with only a little red showing on the body. Neons display a brighter blue pattern than the standard variety. Rainbows have especially brilliant orange-red bodies with blue stripes, in addition to a green-gold metallic sheen. Reds (flame gouramis) are almost solid red throughout the body with solid blue dorsal fins.

Tankmates

This species is usually peaceful and can be kept with other species that are not too large or aggressive. Other brightly colored species can sometimes cause male gouramis to become aggressive as they are mistaken for rivals. Peaceful, small schooling fish are suitable tank mates as well as most bottom-dwelling fish. Some potential tankmates may include dwarf cichlids, cardinal tetras, or neon tetras.

Dwarf Gourami Habitat and Care

Dwarf gouramis are well suited to smaller aquariums as well as community aquariums. Gouramis can be skittish when subjected to noise and should be kept in a quiet location. Provide plenty of vegetation, including floating plants that cover only part of the surface of the water, as these labyrinth fish need access to the surface of the aquarium to breathe air.

Dwarf Gourami Diet and Feeding

In nature, gouramis eat small insects and larvae from the surface of the water and graze on algal growth on rocks and plants. In captivity, they will eat flake food, freeze-dried food, frozen foods, and vegetable tablets. To maintain good health, supplement their diet with periodic feedings of live foods such as worms. Live foods should also be used to condition breeder pairs.

Gender Differences

Males are generally larger than females and more vividly colored. As males reach maturity, they develop elongated dorsal and anal fin tips that come to a point. In females, these fins are shorter and rounded.

Breeding the Dwarf Gourami

Lowering the water level to 6 to 8 inches and raising the water temperature to 82 degrees Fahrenheit will trigger spawning. Vegetation is essential as male gouramis construct bubble nests out of plant materials, which they then bind together with bubbles. Nests are very elaborate and sturdy, reaching several inches across and an inch deep. For aquarium plants, Limnophila aquatica, Riccia fluitans, Ceratopteris thalictroides, and Vesicularia dubyana are good choices for the breeding tank. You can also offer peat fiber as a building material.

Once the nest has been built, the male will begin courting the female, usually in the afternoon or evening. He signals his intentions by swimming around the female with flared fins, attempting to draw her to the nest where he will continue his courting display. If the female accepts the male, she will begin swimming in circles with the male beneath the bubble nest. When she is ready to spawn, she touches the male on either the back or the tail with her mouth.

Upon this signal the male will embrace the female, turning her first on her side and finally on her back. At this point, the female will release approximately five dozen clear eggs, which are immediately fertilized by the male. Most of the eggs will float up into the bubble nest. Eggs that stray are collected by the male and placed in the nest. Once all the eggs are secured in the nest, the pair will spawn again.

If more than one female is present in the breeding tank, the male may spawn with all of them. The spawning sessions will continue for two to four hours and produce between 300 and 800 eggs. Upon completion, the male will place a fine layer of bubbles beneath the eggs, assuring that they remain in the bubble nest. At this point, the female(s) should be removed from the tank to reduce stress on the male.

The male will then take sole responsibility for the eggs, aggressively defending the nest and surrounding territory. In 12 to 24 hours the fry will hatch and continue developing within the protection of the bubble nest. After three days they are sufficiently developed to be free-swimming.

Remove the male from the tank once the fry have left the bubble nest, or he may consume the young. Feed the fry on micro-foods such as infusoria, rotifers, or commercial fry food for the first week. After a week, they can be fed freshly hatched brine shrimp and finely ground flake foods.

More Pet Fish Breeds and Further Research

If dwarf gouramis appeal to you, and you are interested in some compatible fish for your aquarium, read up on:

• Dwarf cichlids
• Cardinal tetras
• Tiger barbs

Check out additional fish species profiles for more information on other freshwater fish.