Tropical Fish: Gouramis

Pearl Gourami

Trichogaster leeri Species

Accustomed to heavy vegetation in their natural habitat, they will thrive if given similar conditions in the aquarium. Floating plants, subdued lighting, and a dark substrate are ideal. Although they prefer soft acidic water, they are adaptable to a range of water conditions. This adaptability and their peaceful nature make them well suited to community tanks. However keeping them with overly aggressive tankmates should be avoided.

Pearl Gouramis will accept many foods, and are generally quite easy to feed. Flake, freeze dried, and frozen foods are all readily taken. For optimum health fresh vegetables such as lettuce, cooked peas, and spinach, may also be offered as part of a varied diet . Live foods such as black worms, brine shrimp, and glass worms are a good treat and conditioning food for breeding.

Breeding is relatively simple. Adult males are easy to distinguish from the females by their deep red-orange coloration on the throat and breast. Another clue is the dorsal fin which is longer and more pointed on the male than the female. When ready to spawn the female will have a much plumper body than the male.

Prior to breeding the pair should be conditioned by feeding them live or frozen brine shrimp and worms. Water in the breeding tank should be reduced to a level of about six inches. Provide plenty of floating plants and raise the water temperature to approximately 80 degrees. The male will build a bubble nest, after which spawning will take place beneath it. When spawning the male wraps his body around the female who will release hundreds of eggs.

The eggs float to the surface where the male will tend them felicitously until they hatch. After the eggs have been laid the female may be removed, as her role is complete. After about four days the fry will be free swimming and the male should be removed. Feed the fry liquid food or infusoria culture several times a day. Freshly hatched (or frozen) brine shrimp may be offered at about two weeks of age. Fine flake foods may be offered once they are approximately one month old. Water changes should be performed every two to three days. As the fry grown larger they should be distributed between several tanks to reduce lethal build up of wastes. Poor growth or sudden loss of fry is often due to excessive waste.

By Shirlie Sharpe

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:

Kissing gouramis are a peaceful species that should be housed with fishes of similar size and temperament. Males will occasionally fight by "pressing" their mouths together — hence the common name.

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. Provide plenty of vegetation, including floating plants that cover part of the surface of the water.

Breeding Dwarf Gouramis 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.

Blue Gourami Blue Gouramis are one of the names given to the extremely popular Three Spot Gourami. Several subspecies exist, including the Cosby hybrid, Gold, and Silver varieties. 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.

Breeding Blue Gouramis: Both sexes display a much deeper blue color during breeding periods. 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.