Dwarf Gourami Profile

[ryana]

My blue dwarf guarami

Just lost my blue dwarf gourami suddenly yesterday after over a year in a very settled community tank (20 gall high). Reading first post on this thread, I may have stressed him when I trimmed the ribbon weed at the water change a couple of days before. Didn't think of that as everything else was good - water tested regularly, food good, happy community (4 black widow tetras, 6 neons, 1 BN pleco, 2 cories (inherited). He met me every morning on the surface for the food and followed me along the tank at night. Don't know if changeable weather or trimmed weed had anything to do with it.
I'll give it a rest for a while as my tank very full already. a couple more neons maybe. I wouldn't have more than one gourami at a time unless a bigger tank or a pair/breeding, etc. They're nice though - much more personality than the widows which I had already. Good luck with yours - do you know about trimming weed? It was getting to 2 metres long but didn't seem to rot like other weed.

 

[adadkins1]

I don't know exactly what plant this "Ribbon Weed" is, however I'd assume it may be: Jungle Val (Vallisneria americana gigantea) I doubt that trimming the plant would have caused your Dwarf Gourami to die from stress if he was healthy. Mine has been through multiple stressful switches which leads me to believe stress wasn't an issue.

I would say if anything, get a couple more Black Window Tetras. They are schooling fish and need to be kept in schools of 6+. Do you know the species of the Cories? They also need schools of 6+, so adding on to them would be recommended. I'd just try adding on to the BWT's first and see how everything goes. Then add to the Cories if possible. How are you testing your water parameters?

 

[ryana]

Thanks for reply. Weed long thin and strappy - mine grew to 2 metres plus, hence need to trim. I'll ask at shop - had it in tanks since a child and always just called it ribbon weed! It lasts longer than the rest. It's in my profile pic. Water tested at shop (specialist fish and tank supply) and has never had a problem since I stopped using water from our rainwater tank - too acid. I've learned about cycling and do weekly water changes (with conditioner). I will now get on to my own home testing in case tank environment is starting to change.
I started with more widows - one died in transit and the largest one mysteriously vanished while I was away - not even a backbone - my husband and son ain't sayin' nothin'! Cories were relocated from my 5 gall tank because they upset my betta who went into a sulk and decline and perked up the minute I moved them. Nice little fish and no trouble - one a bronze and a smaller speckled one - forgot its name. (I had a couple of white ones in the other tank but they were sickly). They negotiate with the pleco for the bottom of the tank. Thanks again - I'll observe for a while and decide.

 

[savage]

I have a male DG in my 20g with 9 glowlight tetra, 3 cory's, 3 otto's and 2 mystery snails. He likes to check out what the others are doing, but mostly they all stay in their group on three different levels and never even acknowledge one another. It's hard to even fill an API test tube, because he won't leave my hand alone. Even nibbles on my arm hair once in a while when I'm moving plants or vacuming gravel.

I just added a Male Red Flame to my 55g today. The stocking is pretty lower level heavy (especially til some of my plants grow taller), so he has his run of the tank. Seemed to fit right in and his colors exploded as soon as he relaxed. I hope to not see any of these issues though. He's a cool dude, and by far the most colorful fish in the community!

 

[jeep_n_hog]

I have two Dwarf Gouramis and an otto in a 45 Gallon lightly planted tank. The plants are expected to fill out and grow taller, but the Gouramis are eating it faster than it can grow!

So far, I've had the Gouramis for a month. First they were in a 10 gallon tank, but were quickly moved into the 45 gallon tank. Luckily just as the 45 gallon was finishing it's startup cycle, we cleaned the 10 gallon and did a 50% water change and the ammonia level skyrocketed. Seems that someone (kids) were overfeeding them and the left over food was unbelievable, and causing the high ammonia. 2 weeks later, the levels in the 10 gallon still aren't right, but the Gourami's are thriving in the 45 gallon.

We just cleaned and did a 25% water change in both tanks again today because we noticed that the ammonia and PH levels were starting to rise, and all is well. The Gourami's seemed to handle the cleaning and water change pretty well.

We're probably going to head to the store this evening to pick out some more tank mates for them.

The DG's are both males and the colors are beautiful. They are so much fun, and relaxing to watch. They are very inquisitive, and playful with each other. They swim together often seemingly paying an equal game of tag, nipping at each other, and sometimes stalking or sneaking up on the other to give a little nip.

So far, so good.

With the plants, I have 3 medium sized objects with various holes, nooks, and crannies for them to hide/rest in. Every few days, I add an algae wafer for the otto, but the DG's eat it before the Otto can. Those things are pigs!

For the first week in the 45G, One thing I noticed with the DG's is that they were VERY active, like non-stop, seemingly in a panic to get out of the tank. I had the water temp set for 78 degrees. I lowered it two degrees, to see what that would do, and they calmed right down. They rest now, but are still active during the day, chase each other, feed, and basically act more "normal", whatever that may be for a gourami. The panic is definitely gone. Not sure if it was them just getting used to the tank, or the water temp reduction that did the trick, but figured it was worth noting.

But so far, so good. I'm really happy with how well the DG's seem to be doing, as this is my first ever Aquarium.

I love this website. I can't thank you all enough for all of the info and experience that is available here.

 

[jeep_n_hog]

My tank, so far.

 

[Online]

Yeah; all too common; bought 4 Powder Blues and 3 Reds. Reds are doing great after 3 weeks but the Blues all died 1 by 1 and all the same way. Refused to eat, layed sideways on the bottom, sides got all sucked in and then found dead.

My last one I had to put out of his misery as others were eating him and he couldn't do anything but let them.

No more Powder Blues for me.....

 

[NoisyKricket]

Need gourami advice

Im looking for a little advice for keeping gourmi. Im in the process of setting up a 55g community tank. Ive got great slate rocks being glued and set up as well as driftwood on the way. The tank will also be heavily planted and carpeted with 6 completely different species. Ive got a Penguin Bio-Wheel 350 filter as well as several airstones, Jager 150W heater and a Marineland dbl bright LED light system (i work at philips so getting a T5 HO lamp and fixture is no problem to suplement extra light). So you know my equipment and setup now and heres my issue. Ive had gourami in the past and havent had too much luck. I still have a single neon blue dwarf in my 10g. Any time I added any other gourami (male or female) they died in a few days or another gourmi tore it up in minutes. I was thinking of trying 3 flame dwarf and 3 other dwarfs (neon, powder, original...doesnt matter). Its been a while since ive done any research on them so I was wondering if the female is universal to all types of dwarf gourami and whether 6 total (2 males, 4 females) would work. Any info is greatly appreciated and sorry for the long post but it seems owning these guys are a chore these days.

 

[Samzter]

Breeding dwarf gourami profile.

BREEDING DWARF GOURAMI

Scientific name: Colisa lalia
Common name: Dwarf gourami
Max. size: 8.8 cm / 3.5 inches
pH range: 6.0 – 8.0
dH range: 5 - 19
Temperature range: 25 – 28°C / 77 – 82.5°F

Dwarf gouramis are easy to breed, but first, look out for the signs that a male and female are ready to breed. The female would be getting plumper and plumper, and the male s colouring will becoming more vivid and bright.

Once you notice a suitable pair that may be reaching breeding condition, if it’s possible, separate them in two aquariums for about a fortnight, while allowing them to see each other through their tank walls. Feed them a diet of high quality flake food, freeze dried bloodworms, and live foods. Of course, make sure both their aquariums are heavily planted so that they don’t feel stressed out. The tank with the male should have floating plants or you can use a margarine lid and poke a hole through the middle and attach string. From there hang it over the side and place the lid on, this will secure the the top of the bubble nest. (floating ferns or salvinia plants are a great choice.) If the male is in breeding mode , he will start constructing a bubble nest and keep adding to it daily, by blowing hundreds of bubbles.

The bubble nests of dwarf gouramis are thick and incorporate bits and pieces of plants. The male will keep blowing bubbles into the nest until it even rises up above the water level, and measures nearly an inch in height.

When the female becomes very plump (due to being filled with eggs), it’s time to breed them. Reduce the water level in the male’s tank to about 10 cm height, and slowly let in the female. The pair will start spawning. During this the male will wrap himself around her and "quiver" she will then release eggs and he will fertilise them. This can happen 6-7 times.After spawning is over, which takes about a few hours, remove the female from the tank and place her back in her own tank (not the community tank). This gives her a chance to recuperate for a few days. Meanwhile, the male will take care of the eggs and young, after they spawn.

When the fry become free swimming, which typically takes a few days, they will leave the nest, which by this time will be disintegrating. Remove the male at this point, and feed the fry with infusoria (infusoria cultures can be purchased from aquarium shops). After a week or so, you can start the fry on brine shrimp and minute amounts of mashed hard boiled egg yolk.


If you've had any experiences with breeding , comment!!

 

[bettaowner]

Dwarf gouramis are cool fish.

 

[fishy_love]

I have 2 male blues (Ting & Tang) in my 20gal with a few mollies and snails and they are the most playful, hearty fish in there. They even swim around together and tease my puppy when she is watching the tank. After some misinformation from my lfs I accidentally sent my tank into a new cycle losing my sunburst platy, a GloFish, and 2 mollies due to spiking levels of everything... But the guaramis made it through healthier than ever. They are my favorite fish in the tank now and they even stood guard around my pregnant Molly while she was in labor and chased away any fish that went after the fry, granted I wouldn't have mind if a few were picked off because now I have babies to convince my friends they really need for the holidays ha ha. These are just wonderful little fish to watch if you can get the docile guys.

 

[Fishlover13]

Here's mine I am very proup of him

 

[kwandrsn]

Would one of these get along with guppies, Cory cats , bristle nosed plecos and ghost shrimp in a20 gallon planted tank

 

[Lilmack07]

Here are my two little guys.

 

[Fishlover13]

Here are my two little guys.

Are they in the same tank

 

[Lilmack07]

Are they in the same tank

Yes. I had got them when i got my 20 gallon. Had rushed into everything. I know they say not to keep two males together. But they seem to do pretty well with each other or else I would have already rehoused one. But I keep my eye on them no doubt.

 

[Fishlover13]

Yes. I had got them when i got my 20 gallon. Had rushed into everything. I know they say not to keep two males together. But they seem to do pretty well with each other or else I would have already rehoused one. But I keep my eye on them no doubt.

It's ok I wasn't going to gripe you out or any thing mine seemed peaceful and was just wanting to know if anyone has ever done it before

 

[Lilmack07]

It's ok I wasn't going to gripe you out or any thing mine seemed peaceful and was just wanting to know if anyone has ever done it before

Haha my fault. I just get that a lot. Yea mine do pretty well together. They chase each other a little bit but it never gets nasty they usually get bored and leave each other alone. They are two of my favs to watch in the tank. I should be moving them to a 55 gallon tank hopefully sometime next month. I can't wait.

 

[Joshfishguy]

Origins: Asia, Brahmaputra, and the Indus River in northern India

Size: 2 1/2 inches or 5.5cm

Diet: prepared foods and live food mostly prepared though

Water: temperature 72-82 soft 50 mg/l and acidic ph 6.0,6.5

Temperament: community tank

 

[nickhendrix007]

DG's are my favorite fish. I have 4 in 2 tanks, 2 fires and 2 powder blues. One of my fires always eats too much and steals all the food so I feed that tank once a day... Thought he had dropsy but its just bloating. This was years ago. Anyway I've had my 4 in community tanks and they are among the most interesting and personable fish I've ever seen, each had a completely different personality a lot like dwarf puffers. I've had other fish die but my DGs have always been healthy! Never a bad experience!