Freshwater, Planted, Tropical Aquarium Information

 
 

 

Dwarf Gourami

Colisa Lalia

Max. size     8.5 cm / 3.5 inches
pH range     6 – 8
dH range     5-19
Temp         25–28°C/77–82.5°F
Care         Moderate

Common names- Blue Dwarf Gourami, Sunset Gourami,

The male Dwarf Gourami has an exciting display of colour which makes it a popular aquarium fish.  Dwarf Gourami come in several different variations such as neon Dwarf Gourami, Blue Dwarf Gourami, Powder Blue Dwarf Gourami, and Sunset Dwarf Gourami.

The Dwarf Gourami originates from India, Bangladesh and Pakistan where it is seen as a food fish but has also been introduced to other countries including the USA.  They enjoy a habitat that is heavily planted.

dwarf gouramiThe ideal size of aquarium is at least 24 inches in length. Dwarf Gourami live in the middle and top of the aquarium and enjoy planting that includes plants that will cover the surface and offer shelter.

Dwarf Gouramis fit well into community tanks being peaceful towards other fish species. If you have more than one Dwarf Gourami males together, they can become territorial, depending on the size of tank. This can be avoided by the use of lots of planting that will offer natural borders to territories.

Dwarf Gouramis can be successfully kept with fish such as guppies and swordfish.

Dwarf Gouramis are quite easy to look after but are not as tolerant of water temperature as other fish. They can live for three to four years in captivity.
The Dwarf Gourami is omnivorous and needs a variety of foods. In the wild they eat insects and larvae from the water’s surface as well as algae growth. In captivity, they will accept most food types, including flake food, freeze dried food and live food.

A diet of purely flake food can cause them to loose their colouration. You can use a quality tropical flake food as a base, but you also need to offer your Dwarf Gouramis live food such as brine shrimp. Freeze dried blood worms are also known to help keep the colour in Dwarf Gouramis.

Mature males are very colourful while the females are much duller so it is easy to distinguish the genders. Breeding is probably not for the beginner as you will need to imitate the dry season by reducing water depth and increasing water temperature to stimulate spawning. Perhaps something for year two!!.

Read about  the Cherry Barb next

photo -  Wikipedia