Dwarf gourami, or Lalius, is a favorite among aquarium enthusiasts. They add a touch of elegance to any tank with their brilliant colors and flowing movements. These fish will definitely draw your attention, regardless of your level of experience.
Lalius’s hardiness is one of their main draws. They are a great option for novices because they are simple to maintain. Even though they have a delicate appearance, they are generally calm and get along well with other tank mates. They also adapt well to different water conditions.
Lalius are renowned for their engaging behavior in addition to their beauty and simplicity of maintenance. They are not only a lovely sight in your aquarium, but also a delightful presence because they are inquisitive and frequently interact with their surroundings. Lalius might be the ideal option if you want to give your tank a pop of color and vibrancy.
A low-maintenance fish with amazing coloration, the Lalius, also known as the dwarf gourami, is a wonderful addition to any freshwater aquarium. This fish is perfect for both beginning and seasoned aquarists who want a lovely, low-maintenance pet that flourishes in a well-kept tank because of its vivid colors and serene disposition.
Care and maintenance
Lalius are creatures of schooling. feels better when surrounded by family. It is therefore preferable to buy three or four people at once.
It is advised to position the aquarium away from loud noises in order to shield timid fish from them.
In the wild, labyrinth fish can endure harsh environments, but certain conditions need to be met for an artificial reservoir to support them. This is particularly valid for immune-compromised, selective forms.
The water parameters listed in the table guarantee a comfortable living for one person:
| Water volume (in liters per 1 individual) | Temperature (°C) | Acidity (pH) | Hardness (dGH) |
| 30 | 23-28 | 6-7.5 | 5-18 |
Lalius can survive without an aeration system, but they do need weekly water changes.
The vivid hue of the fish appears amazing against the dark soil backdrop. The plants that are chosen should form dense thickets, and this is reflected in the composition of the substrate. These can be cultivated like floating algae or planted in the substrate. Plants are a great source of cover for lalius, as are caves and grottoes.
These labyrinth fish can consume any kind of food, frozen, live, or dry; they are not picky eaters. The most important thing is to have a balanced diet, and the food should be small enough to float on the water’s surface. This facilitates the gourami’s ability to swallow food.
Labyrinth fish may eat the following foods:
- dry flakes;
- tubifex;
- brine shrimp;
- corethra.
Fish are given food several times a day, but the quantity is closely regulated. Gluttonous gourami have the capacity to consume more food than is necessary, which causes pet obesity. which can ultimately lead to numerous illnesses and premature death.
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Compatibility
Many members of the underwater flora get along with gouramis because of their serene, calm personalities. However, timid gourami will feel uneasy around aggressive people. Fish that are timid or sluggish can cause problems when they are eating. The labyrinth fish goes without food because larger and more agile pets get to the food first.
The addition of gourami is risky;
- danio;
- saber-toothed tetras;
- cichlids;
- astronotuses;
- guppy.
Unwanted neighbors will act like cocks, attempting to start a quarrel. On the other hand, "golden" fish are vulnerable to laliuses, who enjoy pinching them.
Lalia gets along very well with other members of the labyrinth family. The gourami may be the ideal companion for them.
The vicinity of Lilises will create a calm environment in the aquarium with:
- barbs;
- some types of catfish;
- rainbowfish;
- angelfish;
- ancistrus;
- rasboras;
- loaches;
- macropods;
- labeo.
Strict controls on the number of people of different sexes are also required. The aquarium should contain more female fish than male fish. If not, males will fight each other. Male aggression in particular escalates during the female’s courtship phase and has the potential to kill her. This can be prevented with a large container filled with lots of plant thickets where the fish can hide.
Diseases
You should be aware of the symptoms of illnesses common to labyrinth fish before purchasing one. If not, you run the risk of getting a sick animal.
Typically, laliuses experience:
- Furunculosis – the scales darken, the fins acquire a reddish tint.
- Pseudomonosis – the abdomen increases in size, the scales begin to crumble.
- Oodiniumosis – a small golden coating appears on the body and fins.
- Bacterial infections – a white coating appears on the body of the fish, the fins are destroyed.
When a sick fish is found, it needs to be moved right away into a different container to avoid infecting other animals.
Increasing the temperature and using special liquid preparations that are available at pet stores are two methods used to treat sick people.
Disease development can be halted with proper pet care arrangements. Fish will survive longer and be more resistant to illness if their aquarium is kept clean, the water is kept at a comfortable temperature, and they are fed a balanced diet.
Reproduction
Laliuses can be bred once they are between five and six months old. At this point, they reach sexual maturity. Selecting a pair won’t be hard. Because of the obvious sexual differences, it will be easy to tell a female from a male.
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You must set up a separate tank in order to successfully reproduce.
The following table lists the specifications for the spawning tank:
| Tank volume | from 40 l |
| Water level | up to 15 cm |
| Temperature | 26-28 o C |
| Hardness | no more than 6dH |
| Acidity | 6-6.5 pH |
The presence of vegetation (ricia, duckweed, lithium) should be given special consideration when setting up a spawning ground. The male needs algae to construct nests.
Heat and moisture must be maintained in the tank for the labyrinth organ to properly form in fry. A glass lid or film-closing container solves the issue.
The following is how laliuses are reproduced:
- Before spawning, the selected pair is planted in individual tanks.
- Feeding manufacturers are carried out in live feeds in large portions.
- After an increase in the abdomen in the female, it is launched into spawning grounds.
- After 3-4 days, a male is hooked on a female individual, who immediately begins the construction of a nest, which is a foamy structure mixed with plant parts.
- After completing the construction of the nest, marriage games begin. The male, pressing the female’s abdomen, pushes eggs out of it, at the same time fertilizing. One female is able to disconnect about 500-600 eggs.
- At the end of the spray, the male collects the eggs that did not fall into the nest, moving them with the help of the mouth to place.
- The female is removed from the spawning. The "Father" takes care of the eggs.
- 36 hours pass before the appearance of fry. 6-7 days after the shift of the larvae, the boys leave the nest. After that, the male is put.
During the initial days, the young are fed as frequently as possible with small foods such as ground yolk, infusoria, and live dust. After a little while, add brine shrimp and microworms to the diet.
Sort the young sometimes, putting larger people apart. This will lessen the likelihood of cannibalism among their peers.
Fry that have grown to a length of 1 cm are served with flakes. The young can be moved to an adult aquarium after two months.
Popular species
Apart from the naturally occurring species, artificial breeding has produced a multitude of morphological forms in Colisa lalia.
The following varieties of algae are preferred by most aquarists:
Cobalt
A carefully chosen specimen, the males having deep blue scales while the females have azure scales that shimmer with silver. The lighting’s direction and intensity have an impact on this species’ color.
Neon red
The bluish fin on the back of the artificially bred species gives the pet an opulent appearance.
Rainbow
Prominent transverse stripes on a red background that are greenish-blue in color identify individuals of this species.
Blue
A rare dwarf representative of the lalius species. It can be identified by its consistent bluish body color and reddish-chestnut dots that blend into vertical stripes.
Emerald
Bright red stripes cross the green scales. incredibly ornamental people, glistening with pearl.
Selecting the ideal companions for a home aquarium is made simple by the wide range of species available.
Reviews
I have always wanted laliuses, and I recently happened to stumble upon some gorgeous striped ones in a pet shop. In my aquarium, I already had rasboras, a female swordtail, and guppies. I purchased a male laliuse. The fish led a peaceful life and caused no offense to anyone. Regretfully, he passed away because they neglected to shut the aquarium’s lid. It was not our expectation that he would leap from the water. The age of Angelina Mezentseva is 32. Kurgan
I have guppies, mollies, and angelfish in my laliuses. These are the calmest pets, I have to admit. Thankfully, my aquarium is filled with a lot of plants because they adore solitude. Both dry and live food are fed to them, but I’ve found that the color brightens after the live food. Petrovich Nikolay
I genuinely love laliuses. They have vibrant stripes and an opulent appearance. They require little maintenance, save money on a compressor, and eliminate the constant buzzing sound of an aerator. MMarina_L
| Characteristic | Description |
| Appearance | Lalius have vibrant colors, often with blue, red, and green hues, making them a stunning addition to any aquarium. |
| Size | They typically grow to about 7-9 cm, making them suitable for medium-sized tanks. |
| Temperament | Lalius are generally peaceful and can coexist with other non-aggressive fish species. |
| Care Level | They are easy to care for, thriving in a wide range of water conditions. |
| Diet | Lalius are omnivores, enjoying a mix of flake food, frozen food, and live food. |
| Breeding | Breeding Lalius is straightforward; they are bubble nest builders, and males take care of the eggs. |
| Tank Requirements | They prefer a well-planted |
Lalius is an excellent option for both novice and expert aquarists due to its vivid colors and serene disposition. This species is a favorite among fish enthusiasts due to its easy care requirements and exceptional beauty.
Lalius are peaceful fish that get along well with other fish, which brings harmony to any aquarium. Their adaptability allows them to flourish in a variety of environments, which increases their allure.
Lalius provides an excellent balance of style and functionality, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to set up their first aquarium or simply add some color to an already-existing setup.
