Gourami

It’s understandable why aquarium enthusiasts frequently choose gouramis. These colorful and captivating fish are a striking addition to any tank because of their array of colors and patterns. Guramis add beauty and intrigue to your underwater world, whether you’re an experienced fisherman or a novice.

Guramis are native to Southeast Asia and are renowned for their unusual behaviors and tranquil demeanor. Their playful antics can be entertaining to watch, and they do best in an aquarium with healthy plants and tranquil waters. In addition, gouramis are well-known for having a labyrinth organ that lets them breathe air straight from the surface. This unusual adaptation only serves to enhance their allure.

Goramis come in a variety of species, each with unique traits of its own. There is a type of gourami to fit every taste and tank setup, from the eye-catching Pearl Gourami to the vibrant Dwarf Gourami. You can create the ideal habitat for each species to thrive and display their best colors by being aware of their needs.

Adding gouramis to your aquarium can be a fulfilling endeavor. Their vibrant personalities and exquisite looks can add a novel and captivating element to your aquatic environment. These incredible fish can flourish and end up being a treasured part of your aquarium setup with the correct care and attention.

History of gourami

French scientist Pierre Carbonnier dreamed of acclimatizing very interesting fish discovered in the tropics in France. Among them were wide-foreheaded fish that constantly rise to the surface of the water and stick out the tip of their muzzle – gourami. However, they did not manage to get to Europe right away. They were caught in Thailand, Vietnam, and the islands of Malaysia, but the fish did not survive even a day on the way and died. At that time, exotic fish were transported in wooden barrels filled to the brim with water. During the voyage, the steamer often experienced pitching, and so that the water from the barrel, and with it the fish, did not fly overboard, a wooden circle was lowered onto the surface of the water in the barrel so that it completely covered the surface. Few people knew about the peculiarities of labyrinth fish, although at that time in Paris Carbonier studied and successfully bred the macropod. Without access to atmospheric air, the poor fish survived only until the end of loading the barrels onto the ship. After many unsuccessful attempts, they were classified as problematic and their distribution stopped for twenty years.

Witnesses were baffled: in the wild, gourami were caught in sewage ditches, rain barrels, and abandoned quarries with extremely muddy and filthy water. What was missing from the fish during their journey? It wasn’t until the late 1800s that a perceptive European noticed the fish in a natural reservoir periodically rising to the surface of the water in search of an air bubble. He did not seal the transport containers and only filled them two-thirds full of water, as advised by an Indonesian guide. Thousands of settlers were thus transported to their destination without suffering a single loss.

The gourami first surfaced in foreign amateur aquariums in January 1896, but it wasn’t until the summer of 1897 that it was brought to us by two different people: V.M. Desnitsky, who brought it straight from Singapore, and Matte from Berlin.

Homeland of gourami fish – habitat

In their natural habitat, gourami inhabit the islands of Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, the Indochina and Malay Peninsulas, and Southeast Asia.

Pearl gourami Trichogaster leeri lives in the Malay Archipelago, Sumatra and Borneo. Moon gourami Trichogaster microlepis was found in Thailand and Cambodia, Snake gourami Trichogaster pectoralis in southern Vietnam, Cambodia and eastern Thailand. Spotted gourami Trichogaster trichopterus has a wide range – from India to the Malay archipelago. In different parts of this range there are many local forms, differing in color. In Sumatra, along with these forms, the blue gourami Trichogaster trichopterus sumatranus lives. The snake-like gourami, its habitat approaches the ocean coast – opposite the island of Sri Lanka, the snake-like gourami did not move to the island itself, but mastered the waters of the Antilles in Central America. Gourami are found both in stagnant and running waters, as well as in small streams and large rivers, and the spotted and brown gourami mastered the tidal zone and brackish estuarine waters.

Description of gourami

The genus Gourami (Thread-bearing gourami) comprises tropical freshwater labyrinth fish belonging to the macropod family (Osphronemidae). These fish range in length from 5 to 12 cm, with a larger representative known as the snake-like gourami, which can reach a length of 20-25 cm. The elongated filiform fins on their abdomen, which nature gave them to help them navigate muddy natural reservoirs, are what gave these amazing creatures their name.

Gurami, like all other labyrinth fish, have a supragillary organ called a labyrinth that developed as a result of their adaptation to living in low-oxygen water. The labyrinth organ is situated in the expanded region of the first gill arch of the suprabranchial cavity. The thinnest bone plates, abundant with blood vessels and mucous membrane, are found in this cavity.

Without atmospheric air, gouramis cannot survive and will soon perish in a closed vessel. The fry require oxygen-rich water because the labyrinth organ develops only a few weeks after the larvae hatch from the eggs. According to some, the purpose of the labyrinth organ is to enable the fish to move between reservoirs. The fish gathers water in it, and as it moves between reservoirs, the moisture from the movement keeps its gills from drying out.

It’s important to keep in mind that fish require air to breathe; otherwise, they risk suffocating to death during long-distance transportation. Important note: Never pump oxygen into the bag when transporting any labyrinth snails. If the fish swallow the oxygen, they will "burn" their respiratory organs and perish.

The fish has an elongated, flat body that is flattened at the sides. The female’s dorsal fin is much shorter and rounder than the male’s, and the pelvic fins are the same length as the fish and resemble thin whiskers. The male’s dorsal and anal fins are elongated and slightly pointed. Your gourami’s whiskers will grow back quickly, so don’t worry if they break off for any reason. Male coloration is significantly brighter than female coloration. Vibrant coloring is a sign of the fish’s health.

Gourami: Things you may not have known about them

Conditions for keeping gourami

A comfortable aquarium for gourami is considered to be a capacity of 50 liters, better more. Since the fish in its natural habitat lives mainly in stagnant water, the presence of a strong current from the filter in the aquarium is undesirable. The acceptable water temperature is from 23 to 26 degrees, the ghurs will normally transfer a temperature of up to 20 degrees and an increase to 30 degrees. Hardness should not exceed 16. Weekly water changes of ~ 1/4 are necessary. Gourami does not need water aeration, but oxidation processes play an important role in the aquarium itself, without aeration they are difficult, and therefore, aeration, at least weak, should be. This is important! As for any other fish, gourami cannot tolerate high concentrations of poisons: ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Nitrifying bacteria are aerobic, they absolutely need oxygen. Every conscientious aquarist should always have a set of drip tests on hand, at least for nitrate and phosphate. Fortunately, they have become inexpensive now, there are no problems with their assortment and acquisition. For example, we can recommend you with a clear conscience the cool UHE drip tests that we have tested on ourselves, but they are sold only online. In the stores of your city – offline, you can find inexpensive tests Vladox. Follow your friends, with nitrogenous compounds, keep them in UES and everything will be with your pets with a bundle.

It’s also important to remember that while keeping gourami in thick grass beds is advised, don’t overlook the need for swimming areas. You can get the most saturated color out of your pets if you combine bright lighting with dark soil. In addition to improving fish health, driftwood’s tannins will also change the water’s color to more closely resemble that of the fish’s native environment.

Swimming in the middle and upper layers of the water is preferred by gorami. To keep the gourami fish from jumping out of the aquarium, gourami aquariums should have lids or be covered with glass.

One characteristic of gourami is that they prefer "old water," or a pH of 6-7, which is a soft, slightly acidic environment. This makes sense given that their biotope consists of ditches, puddles, and muddy, silted rice fields. And for newcomers, this is the point we want to chew over.

A novice may think, "Yeah, then you can’t replace them with water in the aquarium for a long time," after reading "Old Water." According to certain aquarium websites, gouramis prefer older water. Change the water less frequently as a result.

But this isn’t totally accurate. The term "old water" has a slightly different meaning. It denotes a fully developed biological setting where each link in the biocenosis functions as a unified, well-coordinated mechanism. On the other hand, you can simply alter the water to your preference. The gourami will not suffer from this. It is simply best to keep them immediately in an established aquarium, where all the aquatic life is flourishing, the nitrogen cycle is functioning like a Swiss watch, and there is an abundance of vibrant and varied grass.

Let’s also talk briefly about the idea of "black water," which gourami adore. All of you have seen aquariums with biotopes and dark brown water. It is precisely what it sounds like: "black water." Professional biotopic aquariums typically achieve this kind of effect organically because of the drift aquarium’s abundance and the foliage that grows there. It is they who release the most tannins into the aquarium, giving the water its color.

You don’t have to put sticks and logs in a beginner’s gourami aquarium. This can only lead to issues with the nitrogen cycle for a novice. Alternatively, you could use something like Tetra Torumin, which is essentially a peat extract and works as an air conditioner. It has certain amounts of macro and micro elements, humic acids, tannins, and other beneficial substances for plants and fish.

We would like to draw the attention of beginners that Tetra Torumin ibn peat extract does not necessarily have to be used according to the instructions. On the contrary, it is best to use it little by little, as a treat, for example, adding it after changing the water. I.e. it is not necessary to pour the extract until the stable color of a child"s surprise. This is due to the fact that peat is a good thing, but it still burdens the ecosystem. It is best used in a stable aquarium, in which everything is super with the nitrogen cycle. And if so, we assure you that the addition of tannins and huminki will please your plants, as well as soft-water fish, which are the heroes of this video – gourami. And also, for example: angelfish, neons, cockerels.

Aquarium enthusiasts will find that gouramis are an excellent option because they combine beauty, personality, and low maintenance, making them suitable for novice and expert fish keepers alike. Guramis can give a dynamic touch to any tank with their vivid colors and fascinating behaviors. This post will discuss the various gourami species, their particular maintenance requirements, and how to set up a healthy habitat in your home aquarium so that these gorgeous fish can thrive.

Gourami compatibility

All other peaceful fish species, such as botia, laliuses, tetras, and so on, can easily become friends with gouramis because they are such calm and peaceful fish. But keep in mind that certain species of fish, like swordtails and barbs, are known to chase gourami whiskers. The fact that gourami are soft-water and acidic fish—that is, they prefer pH and dH levels below seven—should also be kept in mind when selecting neighbors. For the gourami itself, it is best to keep the water at these comfortable levels and to choose the same soft-water neighbors.

Aquarium design for gourami

The aquarium needs to be filled with a lot of plants that match their natural habitat, areas where they can swim freely, and, of course, places where they can stay for extended periods of time.

What to feed gourami?

When it comes to eating, gourami are utterly unpretentious and willing to consume whatever they come across. A varied diet is highly appreciated by gourami, just like it is by other fish. Ultimately, it is important to provide aquarium fish with a balanced and varied diet. The secret to any fish’s successful maintenance is this basic principle. The popular and standard TetraMin meal is ideal for gourami.

It should be mentioned that when purchasing any dry food, you should pay attention to the product’s manufacture and expiration dates, avoid purchasing food by weight, and store it in a closed container to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.

Sexual dimorphism – the difference between a male and a female gourami

Regardless of the species, gourami exhibit very obvious sexual dimorphism: males are larger and slimmer, have brighter colors, and have longer fins. The most accurate indicator of a gourami’s sex is its larger, longer dorsal fin on males and its rounder, smaller fin on females.

Breeding and reproduction of gourami

Gourami breeding doesn’t call for a lot of knowledge or resources. First, let’s talk about the fact that these fish can spawn in two different aquariums: one 20-liter spawning aquarium with a water column height of 10 to 15 centimeters, and the other larger aquarium.

The primary requirements for successful spawning in a shared aquarium are the presence of surface-dwelling plants (such as riccia, hornwort, duckweed, and others) and the lack of a strong current to prevent damage to the male’s foam nest.

If spawning is carried out in a spawning aquarium, then you need the water to have the following parameters: water temperature 24 – 26 C, hardness 4 – 10, acidity 5.8 – 6.8. Plants should float on the surface, and there should be a shelter for the female at the bottom. Then we add a male to the spawning aquarium we have allocated. We feed the pair abundantly, preferably with live food, for a couple of 1 – 2 weeks. Before spawning, we transplant the female into the spawning aquarium. And we watch the very exciting games of the pair. The gourami change their color to a brighter one, swim with straightened fins. The male, like a caring father, constantly maintains the foam nest in a complete state, which he builds from air bubbles released from the mouth along with saliva. The male needs about 3 days to build a foam nest. You should not worry if during this period the male does not show interest in food and only huddles near his construction. And when the nest is completely built, the gourami spawning begins. The male tries in every possible way to drive the female under his nest, and having driven her, he begins to squeeze the female and fertilize the game, which easily floats to the surface of the aquarium water. The spawning period usually lasts 3 – 4 hours, in several stages. To speed up the spawning process, you can add 1/3 of the volume of the spawning aquarium of distilled water with an increase in temperature to 30 C.

The female typically lays 200 eggs, possibly more. Following spawning, the fish dash in two different directions: the male returns to the nest, where he will tend to the eggs until the fry hatch, and the female heads for cover. However, the female needs to be taken out right away to prevent her from being attacked by the male or from causing damage to the nest by eating the rookie father’s eggs. The gourami egg incubation period lasts between 24 and 48 hours. Egg development is directly impacted by the aquarium’s water temperature.

After 2 – 3 days, the larvae pass into the fry stage and begin to swim. The male is on the alert here too, he collects the fry with his mouth and transfers them to the nest. As soon as all the fry hatch and begin to swim around the spawning aquarium, we catch the male so that he does not eat his offspring. The male throughout the entire period caring for offspring does not feed. When larvae appear, it is necessary to lower the water level to 6-10 cm and maintain it until the fry form a labyrinth apparatus, which takes at least a month. If there are a lot of larvae, it is necessary to provide weak aeration in the spawning aquarium.

Fry are frequently fed a lot of infusoria, fine "dust," and specialty foods like TetraMin Baby, but in tiny portions.

The most important thing is to make sure the fry consumes all of the food and to promptly remove any leftovers. Larger and more developed gourami fry start to compete with the smaller ones and can eventually eat them as they grow unevenly. You can choose to constantly group the fries or to let things unfold naturally in this situation.

Features of breeding: first – the formation of a pair for spawning should occur naturally, based on observing the grown fish living in a school; second – young fish from 8 months to 1 year old spawn well, if you miss this period, you may not wait for offspring at all; third – gourami love clean water, therefore the water in the spawning aquarium should be transparent; fourth – during spawning, it is better to provide the fish with complete peace and cover the front side of the spawning aquarium (with a towel, cardboard, paper, etc.); fifth – sometimes in an aquarium gourami are able to spawn without a nest. In this case, the eggs spread over the surface of the water and fry are successfully hatched from them.

Gourami species

Many gourami varieties, including pearl, blue, marble, gold, kissing, moon, honey, spotted, growling, and others, can now be found in home aquariums.

However, the genus Trichogaster contains only four species of gourami that go by that name:

– Trichogaster leeri, or pearl gourami.

– Trichogaster microlepis, or moon gourami.

– The largest member of the genus Trichogater is the brown gourami (Trichogaster pectoralis). It grows to a length of 15 centimeters in an aquarium; in the wild, it is much longer. Still, it is a calm fish in spite of its size.

Trichogaster trichopterus, or spotted gourami. This final species exhibits a wide range of color morphs, including blue, yellow, and white. The gourami-trichogaster gradation is also somewhat confused by these morphs.

All trichogaster are closely related to Osphromenus goramy, the enormous commercial fish known as "gurami" in Indonesia. They also started to keep it in aquariums, by the way.

Because of the resemblance to this fish, all of its roughly large relatives with filiform pectoral fins have also been dubbed "gurami" in tradition. "Gurami" means "a fish displaying its nose from the water’s surface" in Javanese.

The true gourami is up to one meter in length. Grocery stores in Malaysia and Indonesia sell them. They are also hamstered, much like how we eat hake with cutlets.

In addition, it is worth noting separately that kissing gourami is not the genus Trichogaster at all, it is the genus Helostoma – Helostoma. Actually, the honey gourami is the genus Colisa – Colisa, the grumpy gourami is the genus Trichopsis – Trichopsis, the chocolate gourami is the genus Sphaerichthys – Sphaerichthys. But all of them in the post-Soviet space are popularly called GURAMI. And, fuel to the fire, the constant reclassification of fish adds fuel. For example, today Trichogasters are allocated to Trichopodus, some biologists retain the old nomenclature, others use the new one. This has not yet been fully legalized. Both options are still used in parallel. You can write it either way. Nevertheless, all Trichogasters according to the new nomenclature are now Trichopodus, and all Coliseums are now Trichogasters. Below are the most popular species, morphs and false gourami.

The pearl gourami’s body is tall, long, and flattened on the sides. The body is a silvery-violet hue with lots of mother-of-pearl (pearl-like) spots strewn along the fins and all over the body. Along the entire body dark stripe, there is an uneven line. The pearl gourami’s length is 11 centimeters.

The male has longer anal and dorsal fins, is considerably bigger than the female, and is more colorful. Nonetheless, another highly distinctive characteristic is the color of the pearl gourami’s neck, which is orange in females and red in males. Even at an early age, these distinctions are noticeable, but they become more noticeable as people age. Additionally, the male’s color differences are more noticeable during the spawning season: the neck and abdomen glow a red color, and the pearl scattering shimmers and sparkles. Consequently, it is never difficult to determine the fish’s sex at any age.

Pearl gourami do not adapt well to transplants or "move" to a new location; instead, they stay timid and pale for extended periods of time.

The pearl gourami’s natural habitat is the reservoirs of southern Malaysia, Thailand, and Indochina. in reservoirs with rich, dense vegetation that hold clean, well-heated water.

For now, they live in Thailand’s and Cambodia’s verdant reservoirs. introduced to Europe in 1951, and started to show up in Russian aquarists in 1981.

The fish’s body is tall, laterally compressed, and slightly elongated. A consistent shade of bluish-silver is painted over the body. They typically don’t grow larger than 12 cm in aquariums, but they can grow up to 15 cm in the wild. five to seven years left in life.

The fish are timid and peaceful. They are compatible with nearly every tranquil aquarium occupant. However, it’s best to choose fish that are comparable in size to be their neighbors.

The aquarium needs to be at least 50 cm long, have places for plants to grow, shelters, and room for swimming in order to be a comfortable place to live. The fish utilize the floating plants in the aquarium as a means of spawning. Dark colored soils work best to highlight this fish’s exquisite features.

Its natural habitat is the Sumatra island’s reservoirs in Southeast Asia. In 1958, it made its debut in Europe.

The blue gourami has a tall, oblong and flattened with body sides. The upper fin is high and pointed. The lower fin starts from the pectoral fin and gradually expands, ending at the base of the tail. The pectoral fins have the form of filiform antennae. They are the organs of touch of the gourami and are constantly in motion. With the help of the pectoral fins, the fish get acquainted with the surrounding objects. The main color of the body is the color of the sea wave. On the sides there are transverse stripes of blue color and two black spots on each side: one in the center of the body, the second on the caudal peduncle. Unpaired fins are decorated with silver dots scattered on them. In nature, the blue gourami reaches 12-14 cm in length, in an aquarium they grow up to 8-10 cm.

Although most blue gouramis are calm and get along with a wide variety of fish, both big and small, some individuals can be aggressive toward their relatives. lives during the day. remains in the water’s upper and middle layers. Observing these fish is fascinating because they are happy and take advantage of any chance to have fun. They also have a natural curiosity about anything new, including other fish and decorative elements.

Marble gourami is a mutation of the blue gourami. Large fish. Individuals of the marble gourami species can reach 13 cm in length. The body is oval, high, compressed from the sides. The ventral fins are long, filiform. The anal fin is wide. The body color is marble: dark gray spots of irregular shape are located on a light gray background. The anal, dorsal and caudal fins are dark gray, with numerous yellow spots. The pectoral fins are transparent, colorless. The male differs from the female in a narrower body, bright coloring with elongated, more pointed dorsal and anal fins. It is better to keep in an aquarium with a volume of 50 liters+.

It inhabits the lush reservoirs on the island of Sumatra in its natural habitat.

The body of the golden gourami is high, laterally compressed, and slightly elongated. The gourami’s body has an orange tinge and is golden yellow in color. Two dark spots can be seen on the side; one is on the caudal peduncle and the other is in the middle of the body. The body and fins are speckled with blue spots. Compared to the female, the male is bigger and brighter. reaches a maximum length of 13 cm. Fish in an aquarium can live up to seven years if proper care is given.

The timid and peaceful golden gourami prefers to hide in thickets when it senses danger. grows well with a variety of fish, both big and small, though occasionally the males act aggressively against one another. Live a day-to-day existence. The upper and middle layers of the water are home to golden gourami.

The golden gourami needs to be kept in an aquarium that is well-lit, has a capacity of 100 liters (for four fish), thickets of live plants, including floating ones, and plenty of room for swimming. Since the fish are drawn to the snags, it is ideal that they exist; additionally, the soil is dark.

The kissing gourami lives in Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, and Thailand. The waters of India and Indochina are home to gouramis in the wild.

The common name "kissing" for fish refers to the distinctive lip-kissing motions that fish make during courtship, feeding, and aggressive displays of behavior.

Anal and dorsal fins are low and lengthy. The fins occasionally have a yellowish-green tint. The kissing gourami can be yellow, gray-green, or golden-pink in color. There are albinos.

It is a little timid, but otherwise serene and tranquil. It gets along well with its peaceful neighbors. If there isn’t enough room, the fish may engage in territorial disputes by gaping their mouths.

A minimum 50-liter aquarium containing densely planted vegetation is suitable for housing kissing gourami. Driftwood serves as a shelter and provides a free swimming area. It should be dark in the soil.

Chocolate gourami

Malaysia and Indonesia (Sumatra, Borneo) are home to chocolate gourami.

A slight greenish tint accompanies the reddish-brown or chocolate color of the gourami’s body. Many transverse stripes ranging in width and length from light yellow to white cross the entire body. Anal fin with a thin yellow edge. The fish is between 40 and 50 mm in size.

Compared to the female, the male has a sharper head and a straighter lower jaw profile. Because of the need to incubate eggs, the female’s skin is stretchable, giving her a rounded lower jaw. However, you shouldn’t use the typical indicators of sex—bright coloring and pointed, elongated, unpaired fins—to make this determination.

They currently live in Singapore, the Malaysian Peninsula, and most of Indochina.

The fish are calm and a little shy. They are easily kept with other peaceful fish in a shared aquarium. Maintaining a small school of six to eight fish with one or two females for every male is advised.

Growling gouramis in captivity happily consume dried food, but to get the best color, remember to supplement the diet with an adequate amount of small live or frozen food, such as Daphnia, Artemia, or chironomid larvae (the popular bloodworm).

The growling gourami aquarium has a dense planting of different plants, with plenty of space for swimming. The fish is not fond of bright lights, so floating plants are put on the surface. These plants not only scatter light but also provide materials for the fish to build a nest. The presence of snags and different types of shelter will also be appreciated by the fish. Using soil with a dark color is ideal.

Trichopsis pumilus, also known as the dwarf gourami pumila, is the smallest aquarium fish in the labyrinth family. The fish’s color is vivid and multicolored under typical maintenance circumstances.

These and a variety of other fish are always available at the physical supermarkets Aqua Logo and the internet retailer Aqua-Shop. Live goods delivery is offered in Moscow and the surrounding areas.

Topic	Details
Origin	Southeast Asia
Size	Usually 4-6 inches
Diet	Omnivorous
Temperament	Generally peaceful
Tank Size	At least 20 gallons
Water Temperature	75-82°F
Lifespan	Up to 5 years
Breeding	Bubble nest builders

For aquarium enthusiasts, gouramis are an intriguing option because they combine beauty and personality in a way that can really make your aquatic setup stand out. These fish are not only visually stunning but also highly interactive, frequently displaying curiosity and even developing relationships with their owners thanks to their vivid colors and distinctive behaviors.

The unique requirements of gouramis must be taken into account when providing for them. Their varied dietary needs make a balanced diet essential, and they flourish in well-planted tanks with steady water conditions. You can contribute to the health and happiness of your gouramis by giving them the proper environment and food.

In the end, adding gouramis to your aquarium can result in a vibrant and dynamic environment. You’ll be kept interested and entertained by their elegant moves and endearing antics. You’ll discover that these fish are an excellent addition to any tank as you learn more about their upkeep and come to appreciate their distinctive qualities.

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