Dwarf Gourami Breeding & Care

A very popular aquarium fish and the most popular Gourami is the Dwarf Gourami. With it's striking coloration, unique personality and ease of keeping, many aquarist have a dwarf gourami keeping them company in an aquarium. Often they are the center piece of a community tank. If you take time to observe these fish in a pet store, it is difficult to resist the desire to bring one home with you.

Dwarf Gouramis are easy to keep and very peaceful. They will be happy in most community tanks. One caution with them is to not keep them with boisterous tank mates. This may result in the gourami becoming shy and hiding alot. The stress from this may cause the gourami to become sick and even die. Avoid tank mates like Tiger Barbs and those of a more aggressive nature.

Dwarf Gouramis will be happy in a tank as small as a 10 Gal. however a smaller tank limits the number of tank mates that can be kept with the Dwarf Gourami. A small tank like a 10 Gal. is good for keeping 2 or 3 Dwarf Gouramis by themselves. If the budget permits it, the best option is to get a larger tank. Dwarf Gouramis are picky about water conditions and a larger tank will be easier to maintain.

These fish are very peaceful and will happily co-exist together. Sometimes a male Gwarf Gourami will become the dominant male and show aggression towards others. This can be reduced by providing plenty of space for the fish to live in and establish territories. You can also reduce aggression by keeping more than one female for every male. Two or three females can help divide the male's attention up.

Dwarf Gouramis will eat a variety of foods and are easy to breed. Like most Gouramis, they should be kept in a tank with plenty of plants, including floating plants to dim the tank lighting. The water should be fairly still and partial water changes should be done regularly. Color variants are Powder Blue, Neon Blue and Neon Red Dwarf Gouramis.

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