Trichogaster fasciata Breeding Guide
Breeding the Banded Gourami Trichogaster fasciata: a bubble-nesting labyrinth fish producing 500-1000 eggs, with sexing and fry care.
Overview
Trichogaster fasciata, the Banded Gourami, is a labyrinth fish that, like many anabantoids, is a bubble-nest builder. The male constructs a large bubble nest among floating plants that can be several inches in diameter, and guards the eggs after spawning.
Sexing
Males are much more colourful than females and develop pointed dorsal and anal fins as they mature, making mature pairs straightforward to identify.
Conditioning
Separate the sexes beforehand and feed plenty of live and frozen foods during this period to bring the fish into breeding condition.
Breeding Setup
- Temperature: 21-28 C
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- Hardness: 5-15 dGH
- Shallow water no more than about 15-20 cm (6-8 in) deep with floating plants
A shallow, well-planted tank with floating cover gives the male a base for his bubble nest and helps the spawning pair.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Spawning occurs under the nest in the typical anabantoid embrace, the male wrapping his body around his mate. Eggs are gathered in the male's mouth and spat into the nest, with between 500 and 1000 eggs produced.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs hatch in around 24-36 hours, and the fry become free-swimming after another three days or so. Fry should initially receive infusoria or liquid fry food for the first week, after which they accept brine shrimp nauplii and microworm.
Common Challenges
The very large number of fry requires copious quantities of tiny first foods, and the female should usually be removed after spawning as the male guards the nest. A tight cover retaining warm humid air supports labyrinth-organ development in the fry.