Neon Dwarf Gourami Breeding Guide

Breeding the dwarf gourami (Trichogaster lalius), a bubble-nesting labyrinth fish in which the male builds a surface nest and tends the eggs and fry.

Overview

The neon dwarf gourami is a selectively bred colour form of the dwarf gourami, Trichogaster lalius, a labyrinth fish from Pakistan, northern India and Bangladesh. Males grow to around 8.8 cm and females are smaller. It is a bubble-nesting anabantoid, and breeding follows the same pattern as the standard form.

Sexing

Males are a little larger and much more colourful than the plainer, silvery females, and develop extended dorsal and anal fins. In the neon form the male shows intensified iridescent blue and red coloration.

Breeding Setup

A breeding tank of about 18-24 inches with the water level lowered to roughly 6-8 inches works well. Raise the temperature to about 80-84 °F (27-29 °C) and fit a tight cover, since the warm, humid layer of air above the water is needed for the fry's labyrinth organ to develop. Suitable maintenance parameters are 22-27 °C, pH 6.0-7.5 and 2-18 dH.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

The male builds a raft of bubbles at the surface, incorporating plant material to strengthen it. The female becomes dominant in courtship, nudging the male beneath the nest and caressing his ventral area with her pelvic 'feelers'. Spawning then takes place in the typical anabantoid embrace, the male wrapping around the female as eggs and milt are released together; broods can number up to 700 eggs, most of which float up into the nest while the male collects any strays.

Egg & Fry Care

The female should be removed after spawning, as the male becomes aggressive toward her and guards the brood. Eggs hatch within about 36 hours. Once free-swimming, the fry require infusoria-type foods at first, progressing to microworm or Artemia nauplii as they grow.