Gourami-Honey

The dwarf gourami is a peaceful and shy fish. If you have a pair of them, the two fish will swim together. Dwarf gouramis are considered labyrinth fish, which means they breathe straight from the air with a lung-like labyrinth organ and need to have access to the water's surface. If you proceed to breed this species, their complex bubble nests display impressive construction instincts.

Characteristics

Family​	Belontiidae
Origin	India, West Bengal, Assam, and Bangladesh
Social	Peaceful
Tank Level	Top, mid-dweller
Minimum Tank Size	19L
Diet	Omnivore, eats algae
Breeding	Egglayer, bubble nest
Care	Intermediate
pH	6.0 to 7.5
Hardness	4 to 10 dGH
Temperature	22 to 28 C

Origin and Distribution

Originating in India, West Bengal, Assam, and Bangladesh, the dwarf gourami are native to thickly vegetated waters. They are often found together with other species in the genus Trichogaster (also known as Colisa). In the river plains of northern India, they are one of the most common food fish and are sold dried or as fish-meal in many markets.

Colours and Markings

Its common name "dwarf" fits this fish well, as it is one of the smallest of the gouramis. Males are slightly larger than the females and have a bright orange-red body with turquoise-blue, vertical stripes that extend into the fins. Females remain a duller, silvery blue-gray color and never achieve the male's brilliant colors.

There are several colour variants including blue/powder blue, neon, rainbow, and red/blushing. Powder blues are predominately blue with only a little red showing on the body. Neons display a brighter blue pattern than the standard variety. Rainbows have especially brilliant orange-red bodies with blue stripes, in addition to a green-gold metallic sheen. Reds are almost solid red throughout the body with solid blue dorsal fins.

Tankmates

This species is usually peaceful and can be kept with other species that are not too large or aggressive. Other brightly colored species can sometimes cause male gouramis to become aggressive as they are mistaken for rivals. Peaceful, small schooling fish are suitable tank mates as well as most bottom-dwelling fish. Some potential tankmates may include dwarf cichlids, cardinal tetra, or neon tetra.

Dwarf Gourami Habitat and Care

Dwarf gouramis are well suited to smaller aquariums as well as community aquariums. Gouramis can be skittish when subjected to noise and should be kept in a quiet location. Provide plenty of vegetation, including floating plants that cover only part of the surface of the water, as these labyrinth fish need access to surface air on all sides of the aquarium. 

Dwarf Gourami Diet and Feeding

In nature, gouramis eat small insects and larvae from the surface of the water and graze on algal growth on plants. In captivity, they will eat flake food, freeze-dried food, frozen foods, and vegetable tablets. To maintain good health, supplement their diet with periodic feedings of live foods such as worms. Live foods should also be used to condition breeder pairs.

Gender Differences

Males are generally larger than females and more vividly coloured. As males reach maturity, they develop elongated dorsal and anal fins that come to a point. In females, these fins are shorter and rounded.