Caring nest builders – gourami and the entire process of their reproduction

Few fish are as fascinating to work with when designing a vibrant and flourishing aquarium as the gourami. Notable for their vivid hues and distinct actions, these fish also contribute a fascinating facet to fish husbandry: their process of creating nests and procreating. Because they are such skilled nest builders, aquarium enthusiasts can find great pleasure in witnessing gouramis in action.

As an essential component of their reproductive ritual, these fish make bubble nests. Using a mixture of saliva and air, the male gourami will meticulously create a nest of bubbles on the water’s surface. The eggs are protected from possible dangers and provided with a safe haven in this nest. In addition to being a natural wonder, the entire process demonstrates the gourami’s dedication to securing the survival of their progeny.

Knowing the processes that go into gourami reproduction will improve your aquarium experience. There’s plenty to see and be grateful for, from the first nest building to the nurturing behaviors of both male and female gouramis. Knowing about these intriguing animals and their distinctive breeding habits can enhance your hobby of keeping fish, regardless of experience level.

About the species

The fish’s name means "a fish that sticks its nose out of the pond periodically" when translated from Javanese. This is what makes these people unique. The truth is, gourami have a peculiar respiratory system. We refer to it as the gill labyrinth. There was once a belief that fish could store water for themselves through this organ, allowing them to survive dry spells. However, atmospheric air is actually breathed through the labyrinth. In this sense, the fish have to periodically come to the surface of the reservoir to breathe.

The original pectoral fins of this species are thought to be another characteristic. They are touch organs that are long, thin threads. The evolutionary process gave rise to these tools, which made it easier for people to navigate through muddy water.

The fish are typically small, with a maximum length of 10 cm. Even so, occasionally, you may run into fairly large people. Thus, the snake gourami’s maximum length is 25 cm, while the commercial gourami’s maximum length is 100 cm. However, these people are generally very uncommon in aquariums.

The fish’s body is longer and has a flattened shape from the sides. The abdominal fin begins in the midsection of the body and ends at the tail with a tiny expansion. The pectoral fins are replaced by thin threads that are organs of touch, with a length equal to that of the body. If these threads break for any reason, they eventually reappear.

Sexual maturity

Sexual maturity occurs between the ages of 8 months and 1 year. There is a belief that the fish become sterile if they do not spawn during this time. This isn’t totally accurate. Certain individuals initiate reproduction at a later age, contingent upon the circumstances surrounding their upkeep. Five times a season, at intervals of seven to fourteen days, female gourami spawn if the right conditions are met.

Keep in mind the primary guideline, which is nearly always sufficient to differentiate a female gourami from a sats. The latter are consistently larger and have a brighter color.

Sexual dimorphism

The form of the dorsal fin indicates the sex of the fish. Male fins are pointed and elongated, while female fins are rounded. Males also differ in having more slender bodies, a brighter color, and a larger stature than females. Anybody who looks closely at the fish swimming in the aquarium will notice that the males’ fins are longer than the females’.

How to choose producers?

To produce beautiful and healthy offspring, producers must be chosen with skill. Initially, you must eliminate those who exhibit any symptoms of illnesses or other abnormalities from normal development. It is necessary to eliminate those who exhibit growth retardation. Should you have had the chance to watch gourami develop "from fry," you would be better off sticking with the fish that not only kept up with but even exceeded their peers’ growth and development rates.

Fish that are fascinating to watch, gouramis are recognized for their complex mating behaviors, especially for the way they construct their nests. The fascinating world of gourami reproduction is explored in this article, which also looks at how these fish build bubble nests, the courtship rituals that precede spawning, and the care they give to their eggs and fry. Knowing these procedures helps aquarium enthusiasts successfully breed these eye-catching and colorful fish, while also highlighting the remarkable behaviors of gouramis.

Spawning

Aquarists claim that raising gourami is not a difficult task. It doesn’t call for extra training, expertise, or financial commitment. They can be bred in a standard aquarium or in a dedicated 20-liter tank.

In a general aquarium

You must take care of the presence of plants on the water’s surface if spawning will occur in a shared aquarium. They might be hornwort, riccia, or duckweed. The aquarium shouldn’t have a strong current flowing through it. If not, the male’s foam nest might sustain damage.

Spawning tank

If spawning is going to happen in a different aquarium, you need to keep an eye on the water’s conditions. It is recommended that the temperature be between 24 and 26 °C, the acidity be between 5.8 and 6.8, and the hardness be between 4 and 10. The presence of plants on the water’s surface is a requirement. The female should be able to build herself a shelter at the bottom of the aquarium.

One part of the water in the spawning tank is purified fresh water, and the other two parts are drawn from the general aquarium. Recall that fish spawning is stimulated by soft water. 15 centimeters should be the liquid level. Strong filters should not be installed because they have the potential to destroy the male gourami’s nest.

They are first added to the male spawning tank. Both animals must be fed live food high in protein for seven to fourteen days. A female is introduced to the aquarium prior to spawning. The two start to interact more, and you can watch as they play interesting games together. When the fish is moving, its coloring intensifies and its fins straighten.

The male builds the nest where the progeny will eventually appear from tiny air bubbles that he releases with his saliva. He constructs the nest over the course of three days. The male may not be interested in food during the construction phase and may stay close to the building at all times. Spawning doesn’t start until the nest is fully constructed. Fertilization of the eggs occurs when the male forces the female into it.

Spawning can happen in multiple stages and typically takes no longer than four hours.

Expert aquarists recommend a threefold increase in liquid volume to expedite the process. Let’s raise the temperature to thirty degrees Celsius.

Eggs and fry

One to two hundred eggs can spawn at a time if the proper circumstances are met. The individuals go in different directions after the spawning period. While the male stays at the nest, the female swims to safety. Taking care of the eggs until the fry appear is one of his duties. During this time, it is advised to move the female to a different aquarium. Should she not, the man might attack her again. Gourami eggs can take one or more days to hatch. The development of the progeny is impacted by the aquarium’s water temperature.

The larvae transform into fry and start swimming around the aquarium a few days after they spawn. Their behavior is controlled by the male, who uses his mouth to gather the young and moves them to the foam nest. The male should be transferred to a different aquarium once all of the larvae have hatched and are actively swimming around the spawning tank. If not, he is free to consume the mature progeny since the male is not fed during the courtship phase.

When the larvae start to appear in the spawning tank, it’s best to reduce the water level to an inch or two. It ought to be kept up until the progeny develop a gill labyrinth, a respiratory organ. About 30 days will pass during this. Weak aeration should be used in the spawning tank if there are a lot of larvae present.

It is advised to feed fry live dust, infusoria, or specially prepared food to promote their active growth. Making sure the fries are properly fed and getting rid of extra food is crucial.

Problems and opportunities

Fry develop in an uneven manner. Larger and more mature individuals may eventually start consuming smaller ones. You must begin grouping them and putting them in various aquariums to prevent this kind of situation. You may lose some of the children if you ignore the issue.

Gurami are generally robust fish that feel comfortable in an aquarium, but in their early years of life, they require more care.

What aspects of fish breeding need to be considered are:

1. A pair for spawning should be formed naturally based on observations of growing individuals in an aquarium.
2. Young gourami should be bred at the age of 8-12 months. It is important not to miss this period, so as not to be left without offspring.
3. One of the necessary conditions for spawning is to provide the fish with clean water.
4. During the spawning period, pregnant females and males need rest. At this time, the spawning tank can be covered with paper or a towel.
5. There are cases when individuals begin to spawn without a foam nest. The eggs float on the water surface, and offspring hatch from them.

Gourami breeding at home is not a labor-intensive process. You can have healthy offspring in roughly a month if you set up the right conditions for spawning.

For aquarium enthusiasts, taking care of gourami fish can be a rewarding and fascinating experience, especially during their breeding season. Males of these fish have a distinctive nesting habit in which they build bubble nests to entice females. The fascinating world of fish reproduction and the care these animals take to ensure the survival of their young can be glimpsed by watching this natural process.

Male gouramis are particularly active during the breeding season, carefully creating their bubble nests at the water’s surface. The eggs are kept safe and secure in this nest, which is constructed from bubbles covered in a layer of saliva. When the nest is finished, the male wows the female with a courtship dance. She will deposit her eggs in the nest if she is interested, and the male will fertilize them and tend to them until they hatch.

It’s crucial to give the eggs and fry the ideal conditions after spawning. Their growth depends on keeping the water clean and maintaining the proper temperature. The fry will depend on the bubble nest for protection as soon as they hatch until they are strong enough to swim unassisted. It can be very satisfying to watch the entire process, from the construction of the nest to the development of the small fry, as it demonstrates the amazing parenting skills of these lovely fish.

In conclusion, raising gourami fish and assisting in their reproduction takes time and care, but the results are well worth it. You can enjoy a vibrant and thriving aquarium and learn more about the fascinating lives of these fish by comprehending and supporting their natural behaviors.

Video on the topic

Arkhip protecting the nest

I put gourami for spawning, the male began to build a nest, the temperature is 29-29.5

Male gourami during spawning (builds and guards the nest)

Gourami nest.

Gourami spawning without a nest. Male and female eat eggs.

Gourami breeding for beginners

Gourami in a spawning tank for a day

Breeding GURAMI in an aquarium for beginners