They are commonly found in rice fields, ponds, slow-flowing rivers, and Southern Asia lakes in the wild. Now, these fish available almost in all countries, including United States, United Kingdom, and Singapore.
These exotic fish have become a popular fish among the fish hobby, and many fish breeders cross-breed them into beautiful iridescent and patterns.
Powder Blue Dwarf Gourami (Copyright: @kartiknayak On Instagram)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Complete Guide To Keep Dwarf Gourami Fish (Tank Setup And Mates, Appearance, Feeding, Disease, Breeding)
Appearance And Anatomy
These freshwater fish species can grow up to 3 ½ inches in length (8.8 Cm). But, there’s some report they can grow larger in the wild.
In the aquarium, male dwarf gouramies generally only grow up to 3 inches. While the female-only can reach 2.4 inches in growth. So, a nano aquarium is suitable for them.
In their habitat, male gouramies have diagonal stripes of alternating red and blue colors, while the females are silvery colors.
The male has pointed dorsal fins, and the female is curved or rounded dorsal fins.
The selective breed in the captive brings more coloration of this tropical river fish. We found them in solid colors like powder blue gourami or red flame and other dwarf gourami varieties in the fish store.
These fish can live between 4-6 years, but they can live longer with good maintenance. They are including Labyrinth Fish which means they breathe the air. So you will see them rise to the water surface to take air frequently.
Nano Cube Planted Aquarium For Dwarf Gourami Fish (Copyright: @kurt_n_finn On Instagram)
The Complete Guide To Keep Dwarf Gourami Fish (Tank Setup And Mates, Appearance, Feeding, Disease, Breeding)
10-20% regular water changes every week is enough to keep these dwarf gouramies live healthily and thrive.
The optimum temperature of these fish between 22 – 27°C. Adding some rooted aquarium plants, floating plants, and driftwood will make some shady areas to hiding and playing for these fish.
Please don’t keep them together with large or aggressive fish like betta fish. It may intimidate or attack the dwarf gouramis.
They are quite a hardy fish and can live in water with a pH between 6.5-7
The freshwater dwarf gourami is an omnivore. They tend to prefer meaty and algae-based food. In the wild, they commonly feed on small invertebrates, algae, and other smaller creatures.
Flame Dwarf Gourami Fish (Copyright: @keeper_of_fish On Instagram)
Common Diseases Affecting The Dwarf Gourami Fish
Dwarf gourami iridovirus is one of the diseases whose usually connected to fish species. This virus’s symptoms include loss of color, lethargy, lesions and sores, abdominal swelling, loss of appetite, and sudden death.
This disease is very infectious, spreading quickly from one fish to another if you didn’t quarantine the affected fish immediately.
Neon Blue Dwarf Gourami Affected By Iridovirus (Copyright: Cassiel Member Of fishforums.net)
The Complete Guide To Keep Dwarf Gourami Fish (Tank Setup And Mates, Appearance, Feeding, Disease, Breeding)
Sadly, until now, there is no treatment for this deathly disease. Most dwarf gouramis infected by this virus eventually die.
But you can avoid it by maintaining water quality by installing a good filtration system and change the waters regularly.
Reduced the water level to 6-8 inches and raising the water temperature to 28-30 °C (86 °F) will trigger spawning.
The vegetation is important at this point. The male gourami creates the bubble nest out of the aquarium plant materials, and then they bind it together with the bubbles.
Female Blue Dwarf Gourami Fish (Copyright: @heatherinanina On Instagram)
Their nests are very complex and robust. It can reach several inches across and an inch deep. Adding some Riccia Fluitans, Vesicularia Dubyana, and Limnophila to the tank breeding will be useful. Adding some peat fiber can be building materials for them.
After the male builds the nest, normally in the afternoon or evening, the male will start to court the female. When the female accepts the male to spawn, she will touch his back or tail with her mouth.
After that, the male will embrace the female turning her first on her side and the last on her back. At this moment, the female will release the eggs and immediately fertilize them by the male.
Almost all of the eggs floating up into the nest. At the same time, the male will collect the stray eggs and put them into the nest. If all the eggs are secured in the nest, they will spawn again.
If you keep more than females in the breeding aquarium, the male gourami will spawn all of them. The spawning sessions usually take 2-4 hours and produce the eggs between 300-800 pieces.
A Pair Of Dwarf Gourami In Spawn (Copyright:freshwaterfishglobal.wordpress.com)
The Complete Guide To Keep Dwarf Gourami Fish (Tank Setup And Mates, Appearance, Feeding, Disease, Breeding)
Once the spawn is completed, the male gourami will place a smooth layer of bubbles under the eggs. It will offer more security and ensure that the eggs remain on the nest.
At this moment, you should remove the female dwarf gourami fish because the male will be too aggressive or contrarily.
The male will protect the eggs until they become fry. Commonly the eggs will hatch in 12-24 hours. After 3 days, the fry will be free-swimming and leave their nest. At the same time, you should remove the male to avoid him consume the young dwarf gourami.
The fry dwarf gourami could be fed with infusoria and later brine shrimp or daphnia.
