Page 113 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

ANABANTOIDS/GOURAMIS 111

Trichogaster lalius
Dwarf Gourami Blue Dwarf Gouramis Color variants of this species
have been bred since the 1980s. The Blue Dwarf has Reddish iris
ORIGINS Asia, occurring in the drainage basins of the solid blue over the whole body.
Brahmaputra, Ganges, and Indus Rivers in northern India.
SIZE 2 ⁄4 in (5.5 cm). Dwarf Gourami The male, seen below, is very colorful in
1
DIET Prepared foods and live foods. appearance. Red and blue variants have been created,
WATER Temperature 72–82°F (22–28°C); soft (50 mg/l) both of which have highly individual patterning.
and acidic (pH 6.0–6.5).
TEMPERAMENT Ideal for community tanks. Even blue
coloration
Extensive orange striping across
the body is set against a sky-blue
background in males of this species;
females, in contrast, are predominantly
silvery-gray. A pair of Dwarf Gouramis will
form a strong bond and stay relatively close
to each other. They are rather nervous fish
and need to be kept in a well planted tank. The
bubble nest is built using pieces of vegetation.
It is often located amongst floating plants and can
be up to 1 in (2.5 cm) deep. Females produce as
many as 600 eggs at a single spawning, which are
then guarded by the male until they hatch about a
day later. The young have particularly tiny mouths,
even for anabantoid fry, and must have infusoria
or a suitable substitute as their first food. Keep
the tank covered, especially at four weeks, when
their labyrinth organ (see opposite) is developing,
because chilling at this stage can be fatal.

Trichogaster fasciata Trichogaster chuna
Little Giant Gourami Honey Gourami side of its body. Outside the breeding period, the
longer tips of the male’s caudal and dorsal fins
ORIGINS Asia, present throughout the Indian peninsula, ORIGINS Asia, in northeastern India and Bangladesh, distinguish the sexes. For breeding purposes, a
with the exception of the far south and southwest. notably in the Brahmaputra River and the lower Ganges. pair needs their own spawning tank. The male
SIZE 4 in (10 cm). SIZE 2 in (5 cm). constructs a bubble nest among floating plants,
DIET Prepared foods and live foods. DIET Prepared foods and live foods. into which the female deposits up to 200 eggs.
WATER Temperature 72–82°F (22–28°C); soft (50 mg/l) WATER Temperature 72–82°F (22–28°C); soft (50 mg/l) This species is particularly susceptible to Velvet
and acidic (pH 6.5). and acidic (pH 6.5). Disease (see p.58).
TEMPERAMENT Territorial when breeding. TEMPERAMENT Territorial when spawning.
This species grows to just a fraction of the size Honey Gouramis are brownish in color, with a
of the Giant Gourami, Osphronemus goramy (see bluish hue around the hairlike pelvic fins. When
p.113). Once Little Giant Gourami are about 2 in the male, seen here, is in breeding condition,
(5 cm) long, they can be sexed by the male’s it turns a rich amber, displaying dark
brighter color and the pointed tips of its dorsal markings on the underparts and
and anal fins. After spawning, remove the female; along part of the anal fin. The
otherwise, she may be attacked by her partner. female, in turn, develops a
Give the developing young plenty of space. dark stripe along the

Male

US_110-111_Gouramis_Cont.indd 111 14/09/18 12:07 PM