Breeding Dwarf Gourami (Colisa Lalia) In The Aquarium

Location

This freshwater fish lives in small, heated and murky ponds, puddles, ditches and rice fields of the south-eastern Asia.

Body description

This species has extra auxiliary respiratory organ known as the labyrinth organ. This organ allows the fish to breathe atmospheric air, so they can live in oxygen-poor reservoirs. Body of the fish is laterally compressed. Colour of the body is red-orange with lustrous blue dots. These dots create diagonal stripes. The species has elongated pelvic fins in the form thread-like appendages sensitive to touch. Male is more colourful than female. Colour of the female is usually gray-olive. Male has sharp dorsal and anal fins.

Temperament and behaviour

This is friendly, peaceful species. These fish prefer to live in pairs among small group.

Aquarium decoration

The aquarium should include a lot of plants, space to swim and low water level. You should keep the fish in water parameter stable aquarium – all water parameters should be stable at all times. The air above the water surface should have the same temperature as water. Small partial water exchange should be done often and regularly.

Breeding

This is an oviparous species. Male builds a nest from parts of plants, algae and bubbles among floating plants. Female lays eggs in the nest, male immediately fertilizes them. You should remove female. Male takes care and protects the roe and fry. The eggs hatch after 1 day. The fry starts to swim and feed 3 days later. You should remove male from the aquarium as soon as offspring starts to swim.