Back to Fish Profiles page...

Gourami

Gourami

Quick Stats

Size Up to 2" (6cm)
Tank 80 Litres
Swimming Area Bottom, middle
Ph 6.0 to 8.0
Temperature 73ºF to 86ºF (23 - 30°C)
Food Flaked, live or frozen

Common Name:

Gourami.

Distribution:

Fairly widespread throughout India, mostly in the Ganges River valley.

Colouration:

There are a wide variety of colours available with Gourami ranging from blue to red to yellow.

Lifespan:

Up to 4 years.

Maintenance:

10 to 20% weekly. Regular water changes and stable conditions are a must. It is important to note that the Gourami is a labyrinth fish and can breath from the air, so it is good practice to leave some space above the water for the fish to comfortably breathe.

Feeding:

Omnivorous, will readily accept flake food. Daphnia and bloodworms are appreciated. Should be supplemented with vegetables.

Substrate:

Not critical as long as its dark to bring out the beautiful colours.

Tank Decor:

Plants and lots of hiding places are greatly appreciated.

Filtration:

Standard filtration for the size of the tank. Not too much current.

Biotype:

Ganges River valley watershed.

Breeding:

Under good tank conditions, breeding gouramis is relatively easy. The fish will pair off readily. The male will build a bubble nest, so you'll want to be sure that the current is not too strong. You should also consider some floating plants to assist in keeping the nest together. After spawning, the male will guard the nest and eggs until they hatch 1 to 2 days later. You should remove the females As soon as possible after spawning. You'll also want to remove the male a day or two after the eggs hatch so he doesn't eat the fry.

Back to top of page.....