adadkins1
Aquarium Advice Addict
Submitted By: adadkins1
Common Names: Pearl Gourami, Lace Gourami, or Leeri
Scientific Name: Trichogaster leerii
Category: Gourami
Family: Osphronemidae
Origin: S.E. Asia: Sumatra, Borneo, Thailand
Maximum Size: 5 inches
Ecosystem: Plant choked lowland swamps with plenty of surface cover
Salinity: Freshwater
Temperment: Extremely Peaceful
Diet: Omnivore
Temperature: 74°F - 82°F
pH Range: 6.0 - 8.0
Hardness: 5 - 30
Sexing: Male Pearls have fringes on the rear section of the anal fin. Males often have more orange color on their chest, but this is not as reliable as the fringes.
Lifespan: 5 years, sometimes longer
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons for a single specimen.
Strata: Top and Middle levels
Tankmates: Other peaceful fish such as Rasboras, Barbs, Tetras, and sometimes other Pearl Gouramis.
Acclimation: Acclimate your Pearl Gourami slowly in order to prevent unneeded stress. Float the fish in the bag for about 30 minutes so it can get used to the temperature in your aquarium. Then remove about 50% of the water from the bag. Slowly replace the water removed with some from you aquarium. Do this in increments: replace about 10 % of the water with some from your aquarium then wait 20 minutes. Do this process until you have 50% original water and 50% of your water. This will allow the fish time to get used to the chemical properties of your water. Finally, carefully release your fish into the aquarium and enjoy.
Care: Pearl Gouramis are hardy and can tolerate a huge variety of water parameters. They enjoy a densely planted aquarium with some areas of shade. Ensure that if you have floating plants the fish still has access to the surface of the water. Pearl Gouramis, like all labyrinth fish, must have access to atmospheric air. Do make sure that none of the tank mates will harass your Pearl Gourami as they are extremely peaceful and sometimes shy.
Feeding: Pearl Gouramis are omnivorous and very easy fish to feed. They will accept a variety of flake, pellet, fresh, frozen, and many other types of food you offer.
Breeding: Pearl Gouramis breed just like other Anabantoids. They will build a bubble nest and use plant pieces for extra support. The water level should be reduced to approximately 8 inches and have a neutral to acidic pH. Once the fish have spawned, remove the adult fish. When the fry become free swimming, you can feed them infusoria, brine shrimp, and crushed flake food after about a week.
*If you have had any experience with breeding them, comment!
Comments: I have a single Pearl Gourami in my 55g tropical community. He is housed with Bloodfin and Glowlight Tetras, Kuhli Loaches, Ghost Shrimp, Guppies, and a couple Plecos and Otos. These fish are truly stunning once they have gotten settled into their new home. When I first introduced my male into the tank, his colors were washed out and he was extremely shy. However, through the next week he completely changed. His true colors began to show and he has started developing some fringes on his fins. He is no longer shy at all, I can even hand feed him. Sometimes I even get lucky enough to brush him with my hand as he swims by. I initially had a Dwarf Gourami in with the Pearl, but the dwarf (1/2 the size of the Pearl) got aggressive and did not take to the new tank mate very well. I must say that if you have a sufficient space in your aquarium, you should try this fish. You will not be disappointed.
Sources:
Pearl gourami - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pearl Gourami, Trichogaster leeri, Family: Osphronemidae, Subfamily: Luciocephalinae
Aquarium Fish Deals - Anabantids - Gouramis - Pearl Gourami (Trichogaster leeri)
Common Names: Pearl Gourami, Lace Gourami, or Leeri
Scientific Name: Trichogaster leerii
Category: Gourami
Family: Osphronemidae
Origin: S.E. Asia: Sumatra, Borneo, Thailand
Maximum Size: 5 inches
Ecosystem: Plant choked lowland swamps with plenty of surface cover
Salinity: Freshwater
Temperment: Extremely Peaceful
Diet: Omnivore
Temperature: 74°F - 82°F
pH Range: 6.0 - 8.0
Hardness: 5 - 30
Sexing: Male Pearls have fringes on the rear section of the anal fin. Males often have more orange color on their chest, but this is not as reliable as the fringes.
Lifespan: 5 years, sometimes longer
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons for a single specimen.
Strata: Top and Middle levels
Tankmates: Other peaceful fish such as Rasboras, Barbs, Tetras, and sometimes other Pearl Gouramis.
Acclimation: Acclimate your Pearl Gourami slowly in order to prevent unneeded stress. Float the fish in the bag for about 30 minutes so it can get used to the temperature in your aquarium. Then remove about 50% of the water from the bag. Slowly replace the water removed with some from you aquarium. Do this in increments: replace about 10 % of the water with some from your aquarium then wait 20 minutes. Do this process until you have 50% original water and 50% of your water. This will allow the fish time to get used to the chemical properties of your water. Finally, carefully release your fish into the aquarium and enjoy.
Care: Pearl Gouramis are hardy and can tolerate a huge variety of water parameters. They enjoy a densely planted aquarium with some areas of shade. Ensure that if you have floating plants the fish still has access to the surface of the water. Pearl Gouramis, like all labyrinth fish, must have access to atmospheric air. Do make sure that none of the tank mates will harass your Pearl Gourami as they are extremely peaceful and sometimes shy.
Feeding: Pearl Gouramis are omnivorous and very easy fish to feed. They will accept a variety of flake, pellet, fresh, frozen, and many other types of food you offer.
Breeding: Pearl Gouramis breed just like other Anabantoids. They will build a bubble nest and use plant pieces for extra support. The water level should be reduced to approximately 8 inches and have a neutral to acidic pH. Once the fish have spawned, remove the adult fish. When the fry become free swimming, you can feed them infusoria, brine shrimp, and crushed flake food after about a week.
*If you have had any experience with breeding them, comment!
Comments: I have a single Pearl Gourami in my 55g tropical community. He is housed with Bloodfin and Glowlight Tetras, Kuhli Loaches, Ghost Shrimp, Guppies, and a couple Plecos and Otos. These fish are truly stunning once they have gotten settled into their new home. When I first introduced my male into the tank, his colors were washed out and he was extremely shy. However, through the next week he completely changed. His true colors began to show and he has started developing some fringes on his fins. He is no longer shy at all, I can even hand feed him. Sometimes I even get lucky enough to brush him with my hand as he swims by. I initially had a Dwarf Gourami in with the Pearl, but the dwarf (1/2 the size of the Pearl) got aggressive and did not take to the new tank mate very well. I must say that if you have a sufficient space in your aquarium, you should try this fish. You will not be disappointed.
Sources:
Pearl gourami - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pearl Gourami, Trichogaster leeri, Family: Osphronemidae, Subfamily: Luciocephalinae
Aquarium Fish Deals - Anabantids - Gouramis - Pearl Gourami (Trichogaster leeri)
