Dwarf Gourami - Trichogaster lalius - single animal

The magnificently colored Dwarf Gourami Trichogaster lalius (Colisa lalia) from the Indus River system and the Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers in India is, like its relatives, a labyrinth fish or climbing fish. The Dwarf Gourami lives in large groups in its native habitat, but it can also be kept in pairs in the aquarium. These relatively compatible and peaceful, but somewhat shy fish have been popular in aquaristics for a long time because they are pretty and comparatively easy to keep. Dwarf Gourami grow to 6 cm in size, and a pair can be kept in a well-planted aquarium with an edge length of 60 cm or more. Floating plants are a must. Dwarf gourami will live about 4 years if kept in good conditions.

The wild colored Dwarf G ourami has a silver to turquoise blue base color and an orange stripe pattern. The iris of the eyes has a dark vertical stripe and is otherwise orange-red. In the pelvic fin, the stripe pattern runs out to a turquoise small dot pattern, as well as in the caudal fin. The dorsal fin is predominantly patterned with turquoise larger dots. Trichogaster lalius (Colisa lalia) gets the name " threadfish " from the long thread-like pectoral fins, which are used for groping and are often moved briskly. Males can be recognized by their more pointed dorsal fin in addition to their brilliant colors ; females are somewhat paler and have a rounded, shorter dorsal.

Breeding of the relatively compatible dwarf gourami is easy. The male creates a large and very stable foam nest in floating plants such as frogbit or riccia / pond liverwort, and it also hides plant debris. Here it nurses the spawn after mating until the fry hatch and begin to swim freely after about three to five days. The foam nest is defended with determination by the male, and during the mating season the Dwarf Gourami is distinctly territorial. The female lays up to 600 eggs, which are packed into the foam nest by the male after fertilization. It is less stressful for the male if the female is removed from the breeding tank immediately after mating. Also remove the male from the tank as soon as the Dwarf Gourami larvae swim free and leave the nest so they do not become involuntary prey. The fry will eat dust foods, very fine live foods such as infusoria or paramecia, and then later artemia euplii.

Dwarf gourami should only be kept in the aquarium with peaceful fish that do not tug at the delicate filamentous fins. Trichogaster lalius (Colisa lalia) also does not tolerate the company of other gourami well. Socialization works very well with shrimp, the Dwarf Gourami doesn't really chase. Crayfish would pinch the sensitive pectoral fins, so they should not be kept with gouramis of any species.

Dwarf gourami tolerate soft to medium hard water, Humic substances contribute to their well-being. If the water values are not suitable, Colisa lalia is quite susceptible to diseases. They should be kept at water temperatures of 24-30 °C. We recommend lowering the temperature to 20-24 °C in winter.

The Dwarf Gourami tends tofeed from the water surface rather than from the bottom. As a labyrinth fish, gourami also come to the water surface to breathe - they have only rudimentary gills and a labyrinth organ that functions somewhat like a lung. Trichogaster lalius (Colisa lalia) is an omnivore that likes plant foods as well as frozen foods and live foods and will also crunch on algae. It also eats duckweed. Dwarf gourami will also happily eat a high quality flake food or granular food for omnivorous aquarium fish. Make sure it floats for as long as possible.

Our food recommendation: With the NatureHolic BettaFeed a special food for fighting fish has been tailor-made, whose soft soft granules resemble the consistency of insect larvae in nature. The soft beads protect the sensitive fish mouth from micro-cracks caused by too hard food granules. The specially developed NH Immun+ complex as well as the NH Color+ high-performance additive support the immune system and the magnificent color formation of the fish.

Our plant recommendation: Use for planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free from snails, planaria and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend when keeping fish the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.