The dwarf gourami is the ideal decorative fish. It combines stunning coloring, a calm mentality, and intriguing behavior. It grows to be just 3 cm (wild captured) or 6 cm (artifically bred sports) long and, owing to its peaceful nature, may be kept in even tiny tanks.
In terms of eating, the dwarf gourami can happily consume any sort of fish food, whether it is dry, frozen, or alive. The sole stipulation is that food particles not be too large, as the dwarf gourami has a narrow throad. The dwarf gourami is sometimes referred to as Trichogaster lalius, however this is not our view.
Contents
Overview
The dwarf gourami is a timid and gentle fish. If you have two of them, they will swim together.
Dwarf gouramis are labyrinth fish, which means they breathe directly from the air using a lung-like labyrinth organ and require access to the water’s surface.
If you continue to breed this species, you will notice that their intricate bubble nests exhibit amazing building instincts.
General facts
Scientific Name:Trichogaster Ialius
Different Names: Dwarf gourami, flame gourami, powder blue gourami, red gourami, sunset gourami
Adult Size: 2 inches
Food: Omnivore, eats algae
Breeding: Egglayer, bubble nest
Care Level: Intermediate difficulty
pH value: 6.0 to 7.5
Lifespan: 4 years
Tank Level: Top, mid-dweller
Minimum Tank Required: 5 gallon
Hardnes:s 4 to 10 dGH
Temperature: 72 to 82 F (22 to 28 C)
Appearance and color differences
Gender Differences
Males are typically bigger and more colorful than females.
Taking care of a dwarf gourami
Dwarf gouramis, like other Anabantoids, dislike fast-moving or turbulent water. Keep flow to a minimum in any setup that includes them.
They thrive in a densely grown tank with plenty of shade and hiding spots. A dark substrate and floating plants are also advised to calm these naturally cautious fish.
With the addition of some twigs, branches, and leaf litter, you might create a really natural-looking setting.
Having said that, contemporary tank-bred fish are highly flexible and can flourish in most well-maintained aquaria as long as they have enough hiding places and shaded regions.
These are significant because they provide safe havens for females in the face of male pestering; moreover, the species becomes timid and withdrawn much more readily in a sparsely decorated tank.
Dwarf Gourami Care and Habitat
Dwarf gouramis thrive in tiny aquariums as well as communal aquariums.
Dwarf Gourami Nutrition and Feeding
Gouramis consume tiny insects and larvae off the water’s surface and feed on algae growth on plants in the wild.
Tank Conditions
Temperatures in the water range from 72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit (22 to 27 degrees Celsius).
pH: Wild fish like to live in areas with soft, acidic water.
Tank-bred fish are more versatile and can often be kept in temperatures ranging from 6.0 to 7.5.
2 – 18°H hardness
Good Tankmates
Compatibility/Behavior of Gouramis
Dwarf Gourami Breeding
Spawning will occur when the water level is reduced to six to eight inches and the temperature is raised to 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
After constructing the nest, the male will begin courting the female, generally in the afternoon or evening.
When the male receives this signal, he will hug the female, turning her first on her side and then on her back.
If there are more than one female in the breeding tank, the male may spawn with all of them.
The male will subsequently take primary responsibility for the eggs, guarding the nest and surrounding area ferociously.
Remove the male from the tank after the fry have left the bubble nest, otherwise he will eat them.
How large do they get?
Some sources claim a maximum length of 3.5′′ (8.8cm).
This is most likely referring to males, as females of the species are significantly smaller. Most aquarium specimens are no taller than 3′′ (7.5cm), with females being somewhat shorter at approximately 2.4′′. (6cm).
Where does it reside?
Widespread throughout Pakistan, northern India, and Bangladesh. Misidentification is now considered to be the cause of apparent occurrences in Nepal and Myanmar.
Feral populations can also be found in a few other nations, including Singapore, the United States, and Colombia.
Nowadays, all of the fish for sale in the trade are mass-produced for the purpose, and you’re rare to find wild-caught specimens on the market.