Care and Breeding of Gourami Fish

Native to Southern Asia from Pakistan to Korea, a number of species of the tropical freshwater Gourami are common aquarium fish. Additionally it is one of many simpler egg laying fish to breed in an aquarium.

Gourami care and breeding (spawning) necessities differ barely from species to species, however most Gouramis have the identical fundamental wants. In case you are contemplating spawning your Gourami, study the essential necessities, after which test the profile on your species to see if they’ve particular wants.

Aquarium Setup and Tankmates

Gouramis are comparatively undemanding, and subsequently are properly suited to most group aquariums. Select non-aggressive tankmates of comparable dimension. Dwarf Cichlids are appropriate, as are characins and different labyrinth fish. As a result of the males could also be territorial, maintain just one male Gourami in a tank. If house is massive sufficient to permit every to say its personal territory, two could also be tried.

Fantastic to medium dimension substrate of impartial coloration is preferable. Optimum water temperature for many gourami species is 74–79 levels Fahrenheit (24–26 levels Celsius). The water pH must be impartial to barely acidic, with low hardness. Plant the aquarium properly with Cryptocoryne, Java Fern, Vallisneria or different sturdy aquatic vegetation.

Eating regimen

Gouramis will eat virtually any meals; nevertheless, it is essential to differ the weight-reduction plan to make sure balanced vitamin. A mixture of dry flake meals in addition to frozen and recent/reside meals will present a well-rounded weight-reduction plan. When conditioning fish previous to breeding, provide recent greens comparable to lettuce, cooked peas, and spinach, in addition to reside meals comparable to blackworms, brine shrimp, and glass worms. All breeding specimens should be well-fed and wholesome earlier than transferring them to a breeding tank. 

Breeding Tank

The water stage within the breeding tank must be six inches deep for breeding most gouramis. For bigger species of gouramis, it could should be barely deeper. Lighting must be subdued, and the water temperature must be slowly elevated for a number of days previous to spawning till it reaches 82-85 levels. The water motion must be minimal so the bubble nest is just not disturbed. A sponge filter is nice to make use of for breeding tanks, because it will not suck up the infant fish.

All gourami fish are egg layers that construct bubble nests for spawning and elevating their younger. Place some floating crops or different floating objects within the tank as most species of Gourami construct bubble nests which might be hooked up to those floating objects. Some specialists use items of styrofoam because the floating platforms within the breeding tank.

Fastidiously monitor all situations of your tank, comparable to water temperature and pH, each earlier than and after breeding. Additionally, ensure the tank has a lid. Whereas the grownup fish don’t require this, the younger fry are very delicate to any temperature shifts. 

Choosing a Male and Feminine

When you do not already know the gender of your gouramis, study them carefully. Females often have extra rounded dorsal and anal fins whereas the male’s fins are extra pointed on the rear edge. Females will usually swell in width when they’re carrying eggs. In some species, there could also be distinct coloration variations between men and women. In any case, it is very important select a wholesome pair with a feminine that’s clearly carrying eggs.

Transferring a Breeding Pair

Transfer your chosen feminine to the breeding tank first, offering the fish an opportunity to acclimate and find numerous hiding spots. After a day or so, you possibly can transfer the male to the tank. Watch to verify the feminine has locations to cover, as this can be wanted throughout the egg-laying course of. If the male harasses the feminine to the purpose of inflicting scrapes or stopping the feminine’s hiding and seclusion, attempt including a second feminine to the tank to distract the male.

Breeding Course of

It could take a number of days for the fish to breed. Within the meantime, in case your species is one which builds a bubble nest, the male could also be developing it among the many floating crops or objects. The male could even use a nook of the tank as an anchor for the bubble nest. When the nest is constructed and the feminine is able to spawn, the male will wrap his physique round hers below the nest and fertilize the eggs as she lays them.

After the feminine lays eggs, which quantity within the a whole lot and even 1000’s, the male will catch them in his mouth as they fall and the carry every egg individually to the bubble nest. If the species is just not a bubble nest builder, the eggs will stay randomly distributed across the tank. 

The feminine must be eliminated very quickly after laying as she could start consuming the eggs. The male must be left within the breeding tank, as it’s the male’s responsibility to look after the nest and fry till they will swim freely. As soon as the fry are free-swimming, the male additionally may be eliminated. For species that don’t type bubble nests, take away each dad and mom instantly after spawning to forestall egg predation. 

Caring for Fry

Initially, the fry will soak up their egg yolk sac for vitamin, however as quickly as they’re free swimming, you will want to start offering vitamins. Start by feeding specialised meals which might be sufficiently small for the tiny fry to eat. Choices embrace liquid fish meals, rotifers, or infusoria, all of which can be found at aquarium shops. Feed the fry usually, six instances a day or extra. As soon as the fish are bigger, at about 4 to seven days, start feeding child brine shrimp. It is going to take a number of weeks for them to develop massive sufficient to maneuver to a standard aquarium.

Be sure that to maintain the water clear. Simply as you’d in a standard aquarium, make partial water modifications, however watch out to not scoop out the tiny fry by mistake. You’ll virtually actually find yourself with extra surviving fish than you possibly can maintain your self, so search out individuals to purchase or undertake. After a couple of weeks, once they seem in a position to eat commonplace fish meals, you possibly can transfer the younger gourami to their bigger dwelling.

Fashionable Gourami Species

There are roughly a dozen species of gourami which might be generally seen within the aquarium commerce. A number of of them have a couple of coloration morph, however are nonetheless the identical species. Widespread gourami species embrace:

• Banded Gourami – Colisa fasciata
• Blue Gourami – Trichogaster trichopterus
• Chocolate Gourami – Sphaerichthys osphromenoides
• Dwarf Gourami – Colisa lalia
• Gold Gourami – Trichogaster trichopterus
• Honey Gourami – Trichogaster chuna
• Kissing Gourami – Helostoma temminckii
• Leeri Gourami – Trichogaster leeri
• Moonlight Gourami – Trichogaster microlepis
• Opaline Gourami – Trichogaster trichopterus
• Pearl Gourami – Trichogaster leeri
• Powder Blue Gourami – Colisa lalia
• Purple Gourami – Colisa lalia
• Snakeskin Gourami – Trichogaster pectoralis
• Sundown Gourami – Colisa chuna
• Thick lipped Gourami – Colisa labiosa
• Three-Spot Gourami – Trichogaster trichopterus