Page 111 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

ANABANTOIDS/PARADISE FISH AND GOURAMIS 109

Pseudosphromenus dayi Parosphromenus nagyi Parosphromenus deissneri
Day’s Paradise Fish Nagy’s Licorice Gourami Licorice Gourami

ORIGINS Asia, in southwestern India; some reports ORIGINS Southeast Asia, restricted to the vicinity of ORIGINS Southeast Asia, on the Malay Peninsula and
suggest eastern India and Malaysia as well. Kuantan in eastern Malaysia. the islands of Sumatra and nearby Banka.
1
1
SIZE 3 in (7.5 cm). SIZE 1 ⁄2 in (4 cm). SIZE 1 ⁄2 in (4 cm).
DIET Prepared foods and live foods. DIET Prepared foods and live foods. DIET Prepared foods and live foods.
WATER Temperature 75–82°F (24–28°C); soft (50 mg/l) WATER Temperature 68–75°F (20–24°C); soft (50 mg/l) WATER Temperature 75–82°F (24–28°C); soft (50 mg/l)
and neutral (pH 7.0). and acidic (pH 5.0). and acidic (pH 6.0–6.5).
TEMPERAMENT Avoid mixing with aggressive fish. TEMPERAMENT Quite social. TEMPERAMENT Nonaggressive.
The normally dull coloration of dark brown with
Slightly pinkish Males have more
body color lighter stripes alters significantly when these elaborate fins
gouramis are in spawning condition. Males then than females
become blackish with vibrant blue fin markings,
while females lose their striped markings and
turn a pale brownish-yellow. Keep these fish in a Male
single-species setup, and provide each male with
its own cave. Up to 40 eggs are laid, and the fry Long, narrow
Blue edging apparent become free-swimming about a week later. anal fin
on the fins
Females are smaller and lack the The two yellowish stripes running along
characteristic “spike” formed by the the body of this species are separated by licorice-
central rays of the male’s caudal fin. Day’s colored bands. Licorice Gouramis have a rather
Paradise Fish is a docile species; males do undeserved reputation for being delicate; in fact,
not harass their partners, even at spawning time. their care is quite straightforward when they have
Subdued lighting conditions and a well-planted good water conditions. Filtration over peat (see p.46)
aquarium will help to emphasize the coloration of to acidify the water can help in this regard. These
these fish. Raising the water temperature should bubble-nesting cave-spawners need a well-planted
help to trigger breeding behavior. aquarium, since they are rather nervous by nature.

BLOWING BUBBLES

In many anabantoid species, the male builds
a bubble nest for the eggs out of mucus and
air, sometimes including plant matter in its
construction as well. The eggs naturally float
because of their oil content, and the bubble
nest, which is often anchored to aquatic
vegetation, traps the eggs and keeps them
all safely together in one place. The male
Paradise Fish, pictured here, then guards the
bubble nest until the fry hatch. Bubble nests
vary in size, with those built by the Giant
Gourami (Osphronemus goramy) measuring
up to 20 in (50 cm) in diameter and 10 in (25
cm) in height. Some smaller members of the
anabantoid group prefer to make their bubble
nests in underwater caves, where they will be
less conspicuous.
The other method of reproduction often
associated with anabantoids is mouth-
brooding, but even in mouth-brooding species
it is not uncommon for the males to display
rudimentary bubble-nesting behavior. This
suggests that the switch from bubble-nesting
to mouth-brooding is a comparatively recent
development. It may have arisen as a way of
adapting to faster-flowing stretches of water,
where the current would break up bubble
nests and sweep the eggs away.

US_108-109_Paradise_fish_Gourami.indd 109 14/09/18 12:07 PM