Breeding Dwarf Gourami
How to breed Dwarf Gourami (Trichogaster lalius): sexing, a plant-reinforced bubble nest, shallow warm water, large broods and infusoria-fed fry.
Overview
Dwarf Gourami (Trichogaster lalius) is a labyrinth fish and bubble-nest builder of intermediate breeding difficulty. The male builds a nest reinforced with plant material and takes sole charge of the brood after spawning.
Sexing
Males are larger and more colourful with extended dorsal and anal fins. Females are plainer, silvery and smaller.
Conditioning the Breeders
Condition the pair separately on a diet containing plenty of live and frozen foods. Introduce the female first and leave her for a few days, continuing to feed her, before adding the male.
Breeding Setup
- Tank around 18-24 inches in length with water lowered to about 6-8 inches
- A handful or two of peat fibre as building material
- Good-sized clumps of fine-leaved plants such as hornwort, plus floating plants such as Riccia
- A small air-driven sponge filter
- Temperature raised to about 80-84 °F (around 28-30 °C during spawning)
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The male starts with a raft of bubbles at the surface, then uses small pieces of plant material to strengthen it. Spawning occurs in the typical anabantoid embrace with eggs and sperm released simultaneously, the bout lasting two to four hours. Broods can number up to 700 eggs (reported totals between 300 and 800).
Egg & Fry Care
Remove the female after spawning, as the male becomes completely intolerant of her and guards the brood. Hatching usually occurs within 36 hours (reported 12-24 hours), and the fry are free-swimming after about three days; the male is then removed. Offer infusoria-type food for the first week or so, until the fry are large enough to accept microworm or Artemia nauplii. Several rearing tanks help separate fry by size.
Common Challenges
The male's aggression toward the female makes prompt removal essential. Shallow, warm water with a still surface supports the bubble nest, and the very small first-feeding fry require infusoria-grade food and benefit from being graded by size as they grow.