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Neon Blue Dwarf GouramiRainbow Dwarf GouramiFamily: OsphronemidaeWFA_Ap4AGo.jpg) Colisa laliaLatest Reader Comment - See More This is my favourite fish. Im sitting here now watching a Power Blue tending his nest and eggs. For some reason he keeps shooting water at me when I approach, just... (more) Nevyn Though it has the same basic coloration as the regular Dwarf Gourami... the Neon Blue Dwarf Gourami has a lot more blue!Neon Blue Dwarf Gourami Contents The Neon Blue Dwarf Gourami is an extremely attractive color-morph of the Dwarf Gourami. This color variety may be referred to as the Rainbow Gourami when the blue coloring has a shiny metallic cast to it. Other than the more intense blue coloration, the Neon Blue Dwarf Gourami or the Rainbow Gourami are the same as the 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 plenty of plant cover not only for nest building, but also to provide plenty of places to hide. The Neon Blue Dwarf Gourami is one of a number of beautiful hybrids that have been developed and are readily available today. Some of the other hybrids, recognized by a variety of names, include the: Powder Blue (Blue) Dwarf Gourami, and the Flame (Fire Red/ 'Blood' Red) Dwarf Gourami. For more Information on keeping this fish see: |
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Habitat: Distribution / Background
The Neon Blue 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.
- Scientific Name: Colisa lalia
- Social Grouping: Groups - 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 - This man made variation of Colisa Lalia doesn't exist in the wild.
The body of the Neon Blue Dwarf Gourami is somewhat compressed. The fins are rounded and relatively large. The ventral fins are threadlike and extremely sensitive. Their coloring is very similar to the Dwarf Gourami, but with a much more intensive amount of blue. Males are easily distinguished, having a bright orangish red background with bluish green vertical striping extending onto the fins. Females have a lighter blue-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).
- Aquarium Hardiness: Very Hardy
- Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner
Since they are omnivores, the Neon Blue 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.
- 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
- Water Changes: Monthly
- 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
Neon Blue 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.
- Venomous: No
- Temperament: Peaceful - Breeding males can be quite belligerent.
- Compatible with:
- Peaceful fish (): Safe
- Semi-Aggressive: (): Monitor
- 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.
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.
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 Propagation: Moderate
The Neon Blue Dwarf Gourami is readily available. Males will be about $6 - $10 USD each, with females (or puchasing by the pair) usually being a little less.
Animal-World References
Freshwater Fish and Plants
Tropical Fish ~ Freshwater Fish ~ Aquatic Plants
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