Tropical Fish: Gouramis

Breeding Dwarf Gourami

Colisa lalia Species

Lowering the water level to 6-8 inches and raising the water temperature to 28-30 C will trigger spawning. Vegetation is essential, as males build their bubble nest using plant material, which it binds together with bubbles. Nests are very elaborate and sturdy, reaching several inches across and an inch deep. Limnophila aquatica, Riccia fluitans , Ceratopteris thalictroides, and Vesicularia dubyana, are good choices for the breeding tank. Peat fiber may also be offered as building material.

Once the nest had 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 bubblenest. 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 bubblenest. 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 bubblenest. At this point the female(s) should be removed from the tank.

The male will now take sole responsibility for the eggs, aggressively defending the nest and surrounding territory.

In twelve to twenty-four hours the fry will hatch, and continue developing within the protection of the bubblenest. After three days they are sufficiently developed to be free swimming. The male should be removed from the tank once the fry have left the bubblenest or he may consume the young. Fry should be fed micro-food such as infusoria, rotifers, or commercial fry food for the first week. They can then be fed freshly hatched brine shrimp, and finely ground dry foods.

Article by: Shirlie Sharpe. Photos by: Wiljo Jonsson

Compatibility: Livebearers, Tetras, Danios, Rasboras, Rainbowfish, Barbs, Loaches, Plecos, and scavenger Catfish.

Gourami Care:

They should not be kept with large, aggressive fish, but would enjoy the company of other small, peaceful fish as well as fellow gouramis. Loud noises often scare them, so the tank should be in a quiet area.

Traditionally silvery blue in color, their colors can change significantly with their moods, as well as during spawning, when they obtain a much deeper blue hue.

Because the male can be rather aggressive during spawning, the aquarium habitat should provide ample places for the female to take refuge. Failure to do so can result in injury to the female.

Gouramis Related Articles:

Red Dwarf Gouramis are well suited to smaller aquariums, as well as community aquariums due to their peaceful nature. They should not be kept with very large or aggressive fish.

Pearl Gourami Accustomed to heavy vegetation in their natural habitat, they will thrive if given similar conditions in the aquarium.

Blue Gourami Blue Gouramis are one of the names given to the extremely popular Three Spot Gourami. Although traditionally silvery blue in color, their colors can change considerably with their moods, as well as during spawning, when they acquire a much deeper blue hue.