Honey gourami – features, types and rules for keeping fish

Because of their peaceful disposition and brilliant colors, honey gouramis make a wonderful addition to any aquarium. These little fish are ideal for both novice and seasoned aquarium keepers. Their vivid orange and yellow colors make them stand out and give your tank a lovely touch.

This article will examine the different varieties of honey gouramis, including their unique color variations and sizes. We’ll also go over the fundamental guidelines for maintaining the health and happiness of these fish, so your aquarium can develop into a vibrant aquatic ecosystem.

Honey gouramis offer the perfect balance of beauty and ease of maintenance, whether you’re new to fishkeeping or looking to add more inhabitants to your tank. They are an excellent option for anyone wishing to add to the charm of their aquarium because of their reasonable care needs.

Habitat

The natural habitat of the honey gourami is found in India and South Asia. The fish prefers areas with low water levels, and it can be found in freshwater reservoirs with little current. Gurami frequently swim into deep puddles and into flooded rice fields.

Gouramis are daytime creatures. They actively search for food by moving through the water column. Gurami often shoot a stream of water at insects they catch while they are flying over the reservoir. The honey gourami hides in the tangles of aquatic plants when it’s in danger or just relaxing.

Fish characteristics

Low-oxygen tropical waters are home to honey gouramis.

The fish’s labyrinth is a unique organ that it developed during its evolutionary process. This suprabranchial formation is made up of thin bones that are covered in skin that has numerous blood vessels perforating it. Using its mouth, the gourami draws in atmospheric air, which it then distributes throughout its body via a sophisticated system of capillaries.

The fish’s average size is between 4 and 4.5 centimeters. On the other hand, some people can reach a height of 6.5-7 centimeters in ideal circumstances.

• Body – elongated, flattened from the sides. The main color is amber. During the mating season, the fish becomes wine-red. The middle line has a more intense color, up to brown. The dorsal fin is colored lemon yellow.
• Fins – the dorsal fin goes from the middle of the body to the tail. The anal fin starts immediately behind the ventral fins and also goes to the tail. The caudal fin has a rounded shape. Small pectoral fins. Abdominal fins look like long thin whiskers.

Differences between male and female

There are several differences between male and female honey gouramis.

• Coloring – sexually mature males have a brighter and more saturated color, especially in the throat area, where the coloring becomes almost orange. During spawning, the male"s coloring acquires even more colors.
• Fins – males have a predominantly orange tint on their fins. The male"s dorsal fin is more pointed, and the rays of the anal fins are more elongated.
• Sizes – females are larger than males, have a more rounded body with a pronounced abdomen.

The ideal way to keep gourami is in a small flock with one male and several females.

You will need a rectangular aquarium with 40–50 liters for a group of fish. A lid is also required because gourami can leap out of aquariums.

• Soil – to emphasize the natural beauty of honey gourami, choose dark-colored soil. This can be pebbles, dark stones, sand. The most important thing is that the soil is inert and does not dissolve in water.
• Plants – are a prerequisite for keeping gourami. Heat-loving plants that can create dense thickets are suitable for an aquarium with fish. For example, feathery leaf or elodea are well suited. Algae, such as duckweed or riccia, should also float on the surface of the water.

• Water parameters – honey gourami do not tolerate temperature changes well. Optimal indicators should be maintained within 22-26 degrees. To monitor fluctuations, it is necessary to install a thermometer in the aquarium. Water hardness is not of particular importance for gourami.
• Light – since the gourami prefers shaded places, it does not require additional lighting. Also, do not install an aquarium under direct sunlight.

• Filtering and aeration – are the necessary elements of the aquarium. For convenience, you can use combined systems that combine a filter and aerator.

Honey gurs can only be added to the aquarium five to seven days after it is launched.

Feeding

Gums are a pretty simple food. They can eat any kind of feed—frozen, live, or industrial. Food can fall from the sky or be chosen by gorams from the water’s surface. To keep the fish’s color intact, you can use specialty feeds.

Food must be given every day. It is crucial to remember that, despite their small size, honey with gums have an insatiable appetite, which frequently results in obesity. Fish are therefore fed in small amounts one or two times a day. Food is typically served during the day or in the morning.

The peaceful nature and appealing coloration of the small and colorful honey gourami, which is native to Southeast Asia, make it a popular choice among aquarium enthusiasts. In order to assist you in creating the best possible habitat for these endearing fish, this article will examine the salient characteristics of honey gouramis, examine the various varieties that are sold in aquarium stores, and offer helpful maintenance and care recommendations.

Reproduction at home

It’s simple to breed honey gourami at home. But in order to accomplish this, you must set up favorable circumstances for them.

• Choosing a producer. The fish must be sexually mature and completely healthy without any defects. A couple of weeks before the expected spawning, it is best to place the male and female in separate tanks.
• Preparing an aquarium for spawning. A 20-30 liter tank is suitable for this purpose. Soil is not required, and the water level should not exceed 15 centimeters. Water is used from the main aquarium! Aeration and filtration are also required (use weak equipment). Be sure to place aquatic plants in the aquarium, including floating ones. For the female, place shelters in which she could hide from the excessive persistence of the male.

• Stimulating spawning. First, the male is transplanted into the aquarium, and after a while, the female. Then the water temperature is increased to 28-30 degrees, and part is changed to a softer one. In this way, you create conditions similar to natural ones.
• Spawning. During the spawning period, the male builds a nest, the female does not participate in the process. After the nest is ready, the male invites the female to spawn, trying to drive her under the nest. The female throws up to 200 eggs, which rise to the surface of the water. The male catches them with his mouth and transfers them to the prepared nest. If the male did not build a nest, then the eggs will continue to float on the surface. After the spawning process is complete, the female is removed, and the male spends some time with the eggs.

• Emergence of fry. After a couple of days, larvae emerge from the eggs. They do not need to be fed, since the yolk sac still contains a supply of nutrients. After another 2-3 days, the larvae turn into fry. Since at this time the male is actively trying to drive the fry back into the nest, he should also be removed and returned to the general aquarium.
• Caring for fry. After the male is removed, the water level in the aquarium is lowered to 6-10 centimeters. Since the fry have not yet formed a labyrinth organ by 2-3 weeks, a slight aeration is left in the aquarium. It is very important to ensure that the water parameters are maintained in a stable position.

Feeding the honey gourami fry four to six times a day is essential. The aquarium needs to be cleared of any leftover food. You can use infusoria and small zooplankton as a daily diet. When the fry is large enough, you can move it into a regular aquarium. This typically occurs two months later.

Subspecies

The honey gourami comes in two color variations:

• Golden

Possesses a vivid yellow-orange hue. The remaining fins are reddish, with the dorsal fin having a rich lemon color.

The abdomen of males can have hues ranging from deep blue to nearly black.

• Red

This is thought to be a cross between a honey gourami and a collisa labioza. Fish exceeds the average gouror in size.

The primary color of the body is a deep orange-red. Additionally, the red honey gourami is noted by the breeders to have a more ridiculous and aggressive personality.

With its vivid colors and calm demeanor, the Honey Gourami is a delightful addition to any aquarium. These fish are ideal for novices and experienced hobbyists alike due to their laid-back disposition and small size. They are visually arresting with their delicate fins and golden hues, and they are a versatile option due to their adaptability to different water conditions.

Honey gouramis come in a variety of varieties, each with distinct coloration and traits. The delicate nature of gouramis, whether you go for the traditional Honey Gourami or one of its variations, like the Dwarf Gourami, will complement any aquatic arrangement. Soft, slightly acidic water and densely planted tanks with lots of hiding places are ideal for their growth.

Keep your tank’s water parameters consistent and the environment stable to give your honey gourami the best care possible. They’ll stay healthy and lively with a varied diet consisting of frozen, live, and premium flakes and foods. You can keep your fish happy and avoid common problems by changing the water regularly and keeping a close eye on them.

In general, owning a honey gourami is a fulfilling endeavor. Many aquarists consider them to be the best option due to their beauty and simplicity of maintenance. You can watch these beautiful fish grow and brighten your aquarium by giving them the proper care and surroundings.

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