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Flame Dwarf Gourami

Blushing Gourami ~ Red Fire Dwarf ~ Blood Red Dwarf ~ Neon Red Dwarf Family: Osphronemidae

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Colisa lalia Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy Ken Childs

   The brilliant coloring of the Flame Dwarf Gourami is a real eye catcher,... it is a very popular variety of Dwarf Gourami!

   The Flame Dwarf Gourami is an extremely attractive color-morph of the Dwarf Gourami. With its bold red and blue coloration it is referred to by a variety of very descriptive common names. First called the Red Dwarf Gourami or Blushing Gourami, it is now more commonly called such things as Red Fire, Blood Red, and Neon Red Dwarf Gourami. Other than its coloration however, the Flame Dwarf Gourami is the same as the regular Dwarf Gourami. Not only are they hardy but they stay fairly small, reaching only about 2 inches. Being a peaceful fish makes them a good addition to a community tank but they can be a little timid, especially if housed with fish that pester them.

   Characteristic of all the Labyrinth fishes, the Dwarf Gourami is a bubble nest builder. However it is unique in that it will use bits of vegetation in its nest; such things as leaves, twigs, roots, peat fibers, and other debris. These fish are very desirable for a smaller aquarium but be sure to give them with lots of plant cover not only for nest building, but also to provide plenty of places to hide.

   The Flame Dwarf Gourami is one of a number of beautiful hybrids that have been developed. Some of the other hybrids, also recognized by a variety of names, include the: Blue Dwarf or Powder Blue Dwarf Gourami, and Neon Blue Dwarf Gourami.

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Distribution:
   The Flame Dwarf Gourami is a captive bred color-morph of the Dwarf Gourami. Dwarf Gouramis are found in waterways and paddy fields of the tropical Far East; India, west Bengal, Assam, and Bangladesh. They typically inhabit areas with thick vegetation, such as the wetlands of the Ganges river; Jumna, Bramaputra, and the Baram river in Borneo.

Status:
   There are no wild populations of this species.

Description:
   The body of the Flame Dwarf Gourami is somewhat compressed. The fins are rounded and relatively large. The ventral fins are threadlike and extremely sensitive. Their coloring is quite a bit different from the Dwarf Gourami, most notably lacking the vertical striping on the body and fins. This color-morph is easily distinguished by the solid bright red on most of the body contrasted by a brilliant blue dorsal fin. This fish has a labyrinth organ, a part of the fish which allows it to absorb atmospheric oxygen directly into the bloodstream.

Size - Weight:
   Two inches (5 cm) is a good length for this gourami to reach in the aquarium, though males can get slightly larger up to a maximum of two and a half inches (6cm).

Care and feeding:
   Since they are omnivores, the Flame Dwarf Gourami will generally eat all kinds of live, fresh, and flake foods. To keep a good balance give them a quality flake or pellet food as the base to the diet. Supplement this with live foods such as white worms, blood worms, brine shrimp, or any other suitable substitute. Vegetable tablets can be offered as well.
   These gouramis are hardy fish. Although the labyrinth organ allows the fish to survive in oxygen depleted water, it is a common misconception that this makes water changes unnecessary. This is hardly the case as these fish will suffer the same tissue damage from built up toxins as any other fish. Regular water changes are a must with 25% weekly being recommended.
   Dwarf Gouramis enjoy an aquarium that gets a good amount of light, but the tank should be decorated in a manner that provides plenty of hiding places for this shy fish to live happily. They appreciate dense vegetation and the cover of floating plants. They can be housed in smaller aquariums. The minimum size is 5 gallons for a single fish, but more than one will need a larger tank.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:
   These fish will swim in all areas, but particularly in the middle and top portions of the aquarium

Acceptable Water Conditions:
   It is desirable to keep the tank in a room with a temperature as close as possible to the tank water, or risk damaging the labyrinth organ.
   Temperature: 75-82° F (24 -28° C)
   Hardness: 5 -19° dH
   Ph: 6.0 - 8.0

Social Behaviors:
   Flame Dwarf Gouramis are a good community fish. They are timid, however, and may take a bit of time to become comfortable in an aquarium and come out of hiding. Keep them with other peaceful fish.

Sexual Differences:
   The male Dwarf Gourami is much more colorful and has a pointed dorsal pennant, they also generally have a smaller belly than the female. The female actually has very little color at all. Pairs will generally swim together.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   Like most fish in this family, Dwarf Gouramis are bubble nest builders. They do go a little farther in their nest building than most gouramis however, and will weave in bits of plants and debris into their nest structure. Their eggs as well as the fry, are lighter than water and float to the top.

Buy Dwarf Gourami From LiveAquaria.com

See the description of how to breed these fish in Breeding Freshwater Fish.

Availability:
   The Flame Dwarf Gourami is readily available. Males will start at about $6.00 USD and females at $4.00 USD, with puchasing by the pair usually being a little less.

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Latest Comments
Yes very nice fish. I have kept many of these in pass tanks throughout my life. Although I was reading through an article a few weeks ago and found the dwarf gourami's are prone to a disease which up to now has no cure. I can't think what the exact name of the disease was but over 60% of dwarf gourami's may suffer from it. Personally, although slightly larger in size, pearl gourami's would be a better option for fish keepers, hardy, active, and pretty. I would choose these over all. Anonymous 2009-03-01
I had the same problem with my orange Gourami who was acting normal until I added two angelfish to my tank. One of my angelfish died, but one still lived and now all of my fish get along and stopped nipping each other. I just thought maybe since they are semi-aggresive fish that it was just natural behavior toward each other. Lacey 2009-01-07
I bought an orange gourami and then I bought a blue one. The orange one was acting different to the new fish that I had got. The orange one was nipping at the blue one's tail. It also was showing itself diagonal to the blue one. I don't know if they were both males or the orange one was a female and the blue one is the female but I guess they were both males. So I took the blue one back to petsmart. I want to get a gourami that is blue but I am afraid it will not fit in with the orange gourami. Summer 2009-01-03
I recently bought two Dwarf Flame Gouarmis, and they are both doing exceptionally well. One thing I have noticed, though, is that Oscar (one of my fish) has been nippy and mean to my second gouarmi, Ince. They are both males, and I'm not sure why they are having this issue. They both get quite enough food, and they have more then enough space. Right now they are the only fish living in my ten gallon aquarium. I would recommend these fish to anyone who has the space for these fish. They are beautiful additions to any aquarium. Stasi 2008-12-30
Yes the female builds a bubble- debris nest. I have two in a 75 gallon tank they are the only two things in the tank and they have both built nests at either end of the tank which left me questioning their sex... but they are most definitely both female. michelle 2008-12-05

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Author: Clarice Brough, CFS