Dwarf Gourami (Colisa lalia)

Common Name:

Dwarf Gourami.

Other Names:

Powder Blue Gourami.

Scientific Name:

Colisa lalia

Family:

Belontiidae.

Distribution:

Pakistan and India, however most of the fish in the aquarium trade are currently captive bred.

Size:

One and a half to two inches.

Diet:

Omnivorous, will readily accept flake food. Daphnia and bloodworms are appreciated. Should be supplemented with vegetables.

Water Temperature:

72 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit (22 to 26 degrees Centigrade)

Requirements:

Temperature range 72 to 79 degrees F. pH - Neutral. Gouramis are somewhat susceptible to disease and require good water quality to thrive. Regular water changes and stable conditions are a must. Plants and lots of hiding places are greatly appreciated. It is important to note that the Gourami is a labyrinth fish and can breath from the air, so it is good practice to leave some space above the water for the fish to comfortably breathe.

pH:

pH - Neutral (pH 7.00)

Life Span:

Approx 4 years

Sexing:

Males will generally be more colourful than the females who tend to be more blue-grey in colour. Males will also be slightly larger and have a pointed dorsal fin when compared to the rounded dorsal of the female.

Breeding:

Under good tank conditions, breeding gouramis is relatively easy. The fish will pair off readily. The male will build a bubble nest, so you'll want to be sure that the current is not too strong. You should also consider some floating plants to assist in keeping the nest together. After spawning, the male will guard the nest and eggs until they hatch 1 to 2 days later. You should remove the females As soon as possible after spawning. You'll also want to remove the male a day or two after the eggs hatch so he doesn't eat the fry.

Description:

Gouramis are a tall thin fish with long thin pectoral fins referred to by many people as "feelers" but are actually used for stabilization when swimming. Most dwarf gouramis are some combination of a base red and blue with vertical stripes of the opposite colour. There are also coloured varieties of mostly blue and mostly red.

Behaviour:

Generally peaceful community fish. Can be nippy at times so some caution should be used when choosing tank mates. As gouramis age they tend to get a little more aggressive and territorial, but given enough space, they will happily coexist with most fish with similar requirements. Gouramis should be kept in pairs (male and female) as multiple males will tend to fight.

Minimum Tank Size:

15 Gallons.

Tank levels:

Mid to upper.

Ease of keeping:

Medium.

Photo Credit:

Photos supplied courtesy and ^©MorleyZ