Animal-World > Aquarium Tropical Fish > Labyrinth Fish > Dwarf Gourami

Dwarf Gourami

Dwarf Banded Gourami

Family: OsphronemidaeColisa laliaPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   The Dwarf Gourami is a very popular aquarium fish, being one of the most colorful and definitely the most striking of the gouramis!

   The Dwarf Gourami or Dwarf Banded Gourami are beautiful fish. They have long been one of the most popular aquarium fishes. 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 Dwarf Gourami has been developed into a number of beautiful hybrids that are also readily available today. This was accomplished by breeders selectively pairing specimens with the most desirable characteristics, and thereby strengthening those characteristics in their offspring. Today's varieties are the result of generation after generation of these improvements. These hybrids are recognized by a variety of names, some of which are: Powder Blue (Blue)Dwarf Gourami, Neon Blue (Rainbow) Dwarf Gourami, and the Flame (Fire Red/ 'Blood' Red) Dwarf Gourami. (The Dwarf Gourami has also been crossed with the Thick-lip Gourami Colisa labiosa, however all these hybrids developed into sterile males.)

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

Habitat: Distribution / Background

   The Dwarf Gourami or Dwarf Banded Gourami was described by Hamilton, F. [Buchanan] in 1822. It is 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.

• Scientific Name: Colisa lalia
• Social Grouping: - Can be kept singly, in pairs, or groups. If kept in a group make sure there are plenty of hiding places to keep one or more of the individuals from being bullied.
• IUCN Red List: NE - Not Evaluated or not listed

Description

   The body of the Dwarf Gourami is somewhat compressed. The fins are rounded and relatively large. The ventral fins are threadlike and extremely sensitive. Males are easily distinguished, having a bright orangish red background with bluish green vertical striping extending onto the fins and a blue-green belly. Females have a light gray background and are less colorful. This fish has a labyrinth organ, a part of the fish which allows it to absorb atmospheric oxygen directly into the bloodstream.

• Maximum Size: 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) - 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).

Fish Keeping Difficulty

• Aquarium Hardiness: Very Hardy
• Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner

Foods and Feeding

   Since the Dwarf Gourami are omnivores, these fish 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.

• Diet Type: Omnivore
• Flake Food: Yes
• Tablet Pellet: Yes
• Live foods (fishes, shrimps, worms): Some of Diet
• Vegetable Food: Some of Diet
• Meaty Food: Some of Diet
• Feeding Frequency: Several feedings per day

Aquarium Care

• Water Changes: Monthly

Aquarium Setup

• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gal (38 L)
• Substrate Type: Any
• Lighting Needs: Moderate - normal lighting
• Temperature: 75.0 - 82.0° F (23.9 - 27.8° C) - Keep the surrounding room temperature consistent with the water temperature to avoid causing trauma to the labyrinth organ.
• Range ph: 6.0-8.0
• Hardness Range: 5 - 18 dGH
• Brackish: No
• Water Movement: Weak
• Water Region: All - These fish will swim in all areas, but particularly in the middle and top portions of the aquarium

Social Behaviors

   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.

• Temperament: Peaceful - Breeding males can be quite belligerent.
• Same species - conspecifics: Yes
• Peaceful fish (): Safe
• Slow Swimmers & Eaters (): Monitor - Gouramis can be quick at feeding time. Make sure any fish that are not so quick get fed if you are keeping them with gouramis.

Sex: 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.

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

• Ease of Breeding: Moderate

Availability

   The Dwarf Gourami is readily available. Males start at about $5.00 USD and females at $3.00 USD.

References

Animal-World References
Freshwater Fish and Plants Tropical Fish ~ Freshwater Fish ~ Aquatic Plants

Author: Clarice Brough, CFS

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Lastest Comments on Dwarf Gourami View all 32 comments on Dwarf Gourami Add Your Comment

Bill Heitman - 2012-05-02 My dwarf gourmi started out white with orange vertical stripes and now has turned dark neon blue. What's going on? Jeremy Roche - 2012-05-03 Sounds like you may have got him from a stressful situation. Now he is happy and in the proper water conditions and is getting his colors back. Reply

Mandy - 2011-05-01 My dwarf gourami has been laying on it's side at the bottom of the tank all day long and looks to be breathing very fast. It's belly doesn't look swollen and I dont see any unusual spots on it. It seems almost like it's gasping for air. It hasn't eaten any food today. I have 4 other gouramis in my tank but they are doing fine. Can someone please help me figure out what's wrong with my fish?? Charlie Roche - 2011-05-02 Attached is an article from Animal World, Fish Diseases and Treatment, just click on it. Scroll down and you will come to an area that gives you a brief summary of ailments and symtoms. A little farther down is a list of symptoms and the corresponding treatment. It sounds like you should check the tanks PH and temperature and water condition. Try that first and then if you could tell us a little more, what is happening in the tank, with that fish it would help. gouramigal - 2011-07-14 My gourami is doing the same thing. It's been hiding and not eating for the past 4 weeks or more and then swims fast to the top of the tank for a mouthful of air and then retreats in its hiding spot. Every now and again it comes out but it seems to be getting worse, laying on its side gasping for air. Others have said dropsy but im not sure seems to be common with this species. Reply

spencer - 2010-11-21 I keep 2 dwarf gouramis and doing alright in my 40 litres planted tank but now I feel like moving them to my 12 gallon tank with the plants and my other fishes:tiger barbs, clown loaches, bala sharks, kuhli loaches, rainbow shark, sterba's cories, dwarf otoes, rocket shrimps, chinese algae eaters and leopard sailfin plecoes. meldawgal - 2011-01-30 12 gallons for all those fish? Reply

Daisy - 2012-01-04 I have a male flame dwarf gourami who has not been eating for the past few days he looks a little swollen and is hanging about the top of the tank and does not swim away, as he normally would, when I lift the lid of the tank. The water quality is good in my 48litre tank which he shares with four head and tail light Tetra. Anyone got any idea what the problem is and what I can do to help him. Would be glad of any help. Alex Burleson - 2012-01-04 If he is an older fish, it is possible that he is suffering from a swim bladder disorder. A great deal of fish such as gouramis, and bettas do. He could also be suffering from a tumor. If his scales are poking out like a pinecone, then he has dropsy. Treat with melafix, as directed on back of bottle. For now, continue with 25% water changes weekly. Reply

chintabruno@gmail.com - 2011-09-06 I have 7 dwarf gouramis, 3 croacking gouramis, 2 yoyo loaches, 10 guppies, 4 three spot gouramis, 1 guntea loaches and 2 green sword tails. But my tank size is 10 litter. All fishes are compatible for aquarium? Toby Jungle - 2011-09-06 No. All fish are not compatible. No fish is compatible when there is not enough territory for them Rule of thumb is 1 gallon of water for each inch your fish is going to be as an adult. You have a 10 gallon and if you sutract about 3 gallons for the substrate and decorations - you essentially have 7 usable gallons of water. This isn't enough for even the The fish will stunt, or die or they will sorta get rid of each other, untill they have enough room to live comfortably and survive. The gouramis, for example, are going to be 2 inches as adults. You would need a 20 gallon tank for just the 7 gouramis. 20 gallons and subtract for substrate, decorations, filter etc. Less than that - even the gouramis will not get along. Please rethink your tank situation - or you will lose your fish -- and just go from there. Please read up on the various fish and their size and required enviornment in Animal World. All the info is there. Also, if one fish can get another in his mouth - he will probably eat it. Reply

gouramigal - 2011-07-14 I think I've worked it out. It has AMMONIA POISONING, all the symptoms add up .. Fish gasp for breath at the water surface Purple or red gills Fish is lethargic Fins are torn and jagged Loss of appetite Fish lays at the bottom of the tank Fish may appear darker in color Red streaking on the fins or body, poor fishy i hate to see him like this.. ;( Charlie Roche - 2011-07-14 Sure it is not a bacterial disease? Animal Eorld article on Fish Diseases and Treatments says "Bacterial Diseases: Bacterial diseases are usually characterized by red streaks or spots and/or swelling of the abdomen or eye. These are best treated by antibiotics such as penicillin, amoxicillin, or erythromycin". Chck it out and check the symptoms out because it is treatable. Reply

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