gourami fish

Contents

Description of gourami fish
Types and breeds of gourami fish
Compatibility of gourami fish with other fish
Keeping gourami fish in an aquarium
Gourami fish care
Reproduction of gourami fish at home
Popular questions and answers

If you have decided to start an aquarium for the first time in your life, then gourami are the fish you should start with. After all, they are one of the most unpretentious and at the same time beautiful

Name	Гурами (Osphronemidae)
family	Labyrinth (Crawler)
Origin	Southeast Asia
Food	Omnivorous
Reproduction	Spawning
Length	Males – up to 15 cm, females are smaller
Content Difficulty	For beginners

Description of gourami fish

Gourami (Trichogaster) are representatives of the suborder Labyrinths (Anabantoidei) of the Macropod family (Osphronemidae). Their homeland is Southeast Asia. Males reach a length of 15 cm.

Translated from the language of the island of Java, the word “gourami” means “a fish that sticks its nose out of the water.” Observant Javanese have long noticed that in their numerous shallow reservoirs live fish that constantly need to emerge to swallow air. Yes, it is air. Indeed, among the fish there are unique ones that breathe not oxygen dissolved in water, like most of their relatives, but atmospheric air. And only because of this they are able to survive practically in muddy puddles and on rice plantations.

Gourami and all their relatives have a unique respiratory organ – a labyrinth located next to the gills, with the help of which fish can breathe air. Perhaps it was their ancestors who once went to land to initiate terrestrial life. For the same reason, the mouth of the gourami is located in the upper part of the head – it is more convenient for the fish to swallow air from the surface and feast on insects that accidentally fall into the water.

By the way, the true gourami are not aquarium beauties, but large (up to 70 cm) fish, which any Indian or Malay fisherman is not averse to catching, because they are a real delicacy. But tiny varieties have become a real find for aquarists, because gourami live and breed well in captivity and, most importantly, do not need aeration of the aquarium.

Another hallmark of gourami fish is a very long thread-like ventral fin, more like an antenna and performing approximately the same function – with its help, these inhabitants of muddy reservoirs know the world by touch.

Types and breeds of gourami fish

There are many difficulties with the classification of gourami. Most aquarium lovers call so a huge variety of labyrinth aquarium fish, while only 4 species belong to real gourami: pearl, brown, spotted and marble gourami. All others, such as “grunting” or “kissing” are related to fish species, but still are not true gourami (1).

Pearl gourami (Trichogaster leerii). Perhaps the most beautiful and popular among aquarists. These fish can reach 12 cm in length, and they got their name for their spectacular color: they seem to be studded with mother-of-pearl pearls. The main tone of the fish is brownish with a transition to lilac, the spots are white with a sheen. A dark stripe runs along the entire body along the so-called midline.

Moon gourami (Trichogaster microlepis). No less effective. And although there are no bright spots on it, the scales, silvery with a purple tint, make these fish look like phantoms woven from a misty haze. Moon gourami are somewhat smaller than the pearl gourami and rarely grow to 10 cm.

Spotted gourami (Trichogaster trichopterus). Representatives of this species are most common among aquarists. In particular, and because of the variety of their colors. It comes in blue and gold. Dark spots are scattered over the colored background, making the fish invisible in the thickets of aquatic plants.

The most famous breed in this form is marble gourami. In color, these fish, reaching a length of 15 cm, really resemble white marble with dark stains. The breed is very much appreciated by lovers of aquarium fish.

Brown gourami (Trichogaster pectoralis). It is painted simpler than the brethren mentioned above and, perhaps, is closest to its wild ancestors. In an aquarium, it grows up to 20 cm, but in the wild it is much larger. In fact, they are rather silver in color with a black stripe along the body, but have a brown tint (2).

Compatibility of gourami fish with other fish

Gourami are one of the most peaceful fish. Unlike their close relatives, bettas, they are not inclined to arrange demonstration fights and are ready to be friends with any neighbors in the aquarium. The main thing is that they, in turn, do not show aggression, not trying to harm friendly relatives. Therefore, it is better not to plant them with frankly aggressive fish.

Keeping gourami fish in an aquarium

Gourami are not for nothing considered fish for beginners, because they are able to survive in almost any conditions. The main thing is that the water should not be cold (otherwise these inhabitants of the tropics become lethargic and may even catch a cold) and nothing prevents them from floating to the surface to swallow air. But a compressor that pumps oxygen into the water is not particularly needed for gourami.

Gourami fish care

Gourami are very easy to care for and will delight their owners for more than one year, if they follow the elementary rules.

Aquarium volume

Gourami are not very demanding on large volumes of water. For a flock of 6 – 8 fish, a 40 l aquarium is suitable (3). If the volume is smaller, you will have to change the water frequently so that it is not contaminated with the decomposition products of uneaten food – at least 1/1 of the volume of the aquarium should be renewed at least once a week, while thoroughly cleaning the bottom with a hose. Water must first be defended.

For ease of cleaning, it is better to put medium-sized pebbles or multi-colored glass balls on the bottom of the aquarium. Gourami love aquatic plants to hide in, so plant some bushes.

Water temperature

Under natural conditions, gourami live in shallow, sun-warmed ponds, so, of course, they will feel better in warm water. The optimum temperature is up to 27 – 28 ° C. In the conditions of apartments, where it can be quite cold in the off-season, it is better to install additional heaters. It cannot be said that in water, the temperature of which is only 20 ° C, the fish will die, but they will definitely not be comfortable.

What to feed

Gourami are completely omnivorous. But, when choosing food for them, it should be borne in mind that the mouths of these fish are very small, so they will not be able to bite off large pieces. Medium-sized live food is suitable for them: bloodworm, tubifex, or pre-crushed flakes, which already contain everything necessary for fish health.

Reproduction of gourami fish at home

If you decide to get offspring from your fish, first you need to get a special aquarium of small volume (about 30 liters). Soil is not needed there, aeration is also not needed, but a few shells or snags and plants floating on the surface will come in handy.

Gourami are capable of breeding at the age of about 1 year. The couple from which you want to get fry must be planted in a prepared aquarium. You need to pour quite a bit of water there – no more than 15 cm, but it should be warmer than in the main aquarium.

All that’s left is to watch the amazing show. Both fish are trying to show themselves from the best side: their coloring becomes brighter, they defiantly spread their fins and show off in front of each other. And then the future dad starts building a foam nest. Saliva, air bubbles and tiny pieces of plants are used. Then the male gourami carefully places each egg in the vial intended for her.

However, the idyll lasts until the birth of fry. After this, it is better to plant the male, because he suddenly forgets all his father’s duties and may even open the hunt for babies.