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Three-spot Gourami
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Common name: |
Three-Spot Gourami; Opaline\Blue Gourami |
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Scientific name: |
Trichogaster Trichopterus |
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pH: |
Neutral |
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Size: |
5" |
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Temperature requirements: |
74 - 81 F |
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Feed requirements: |
Gouramis are often put in aquariums to eat Hydra, which can be dangerous for young fish. Gouramis can also be helpful reducing an overpopulation of snails. They must be provided with the basic diet, however. Favorite foods include basic flake food, freeze-dried foods, and blanched lettuce. |
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Spawning requirements: |
Three-spot Gouramis are often kept in large schools of predominantly females, and only one male should be kept in the tank. Sexing can be done by observing the dorsal fin of the fish; the males being more pointed. In females, the dorsal fin is shorter and more rounded. Three-spot Gouramis breed by building a bubble nest and then spawn in the usual labyrinthfish fashion. The bubble nest gives the fry an adequate supply of oxygen. The female should be removed from the tank after spawning has occured in order to protect her from the male who may become aggressive. |
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Dwarf Gourami
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Common name: |
Dwarf Gourami |
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Scientific name: |
Colisa Lalia |
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pH: |
Neutral |
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Size: |
2" |
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Temperature requirements: |
74 - 81 F |
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Feed requirements: |
Males are much more colorful than females. These fish pair quite easily, and build a bubble nest in the usual Gourami fashion. The male guards the nest and the eggs hatch after about a day. Removal of the female is needed after spawning, for she may eat the eggs. 2 days later, the male should be removed, or he may eat the fry, which leave the nest after 24 hours. |
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Spawning requirements: |
Provide a large aquarium and keep the temperature around 72 degrees F. Provide bunched plants and a neutral pH. With any luck, a pair will form and lay eggs which will hatch in under a week. The fry should be raised on small live foods and will be brown in color for up to a year before they finally develop their trademark golden scales. |
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Kissing Gourami
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Common name: |
Kissing Gourami |
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Scientific name: |
Helostoma Temmincki |
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pH: |
6.8 - 7.8 |
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Size: |
12" |
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Temperature requirements: |
74 - 80 F |
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Feed requirements: |
Vegetables, flakes, pellets, small live foods, algae. |
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Spawning requirements: |
When breeding, this fish prefers soft water. Unlike most Gouramis, this fish doesn't build a bubble nest. Instead, the eggs just float on top of the water. Use lettuce leaves on the surface as the spawning material. Large specimens may produce up to 1000 eggs. |
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Guppies
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Common name: |
Guppy |
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Scientific name: |
Poecilia Reticulata |
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pH: |
7 - 8.5 |
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Size: |
1.2" - 2.4" |
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Temperature requirements: |
73.4 - 78.8 F |
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Feed requirements: |
Small live and dry food of all kinds. |
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Spawning requirements: |
These fish will multiply in the community aquarium but because the mother and other fish will eat the newly born, the young must be given a chance to escape. It is a good idea to isolate the pregnant females before birth. Pregnant females have plump rounded bellies and a gravid spot.(a darkened triangular pregnancy mark behind the anal fin) Often before birth the eyes of the unborn fry can be seen. Breeding tank - Side length: 16 inches. Small (2.5-4 gallons) densely planted tanks may be also be used, but if a larger aquarium is avaliable use it. The male will court the female by approaching her and bending his body into a 'S' shape, he will then dart away. This type of behavior will be repeated. When mating the male extends his gonopodium and approaches the female from below. Birth About 4-8 weeks after mating. The female gives birth to up to 150 young. Rearing: A few hours after being born the young fry will eat everything they can manage. Purebred fry require a well ballanced diet. Finely grated dry food, Artemia and cyclops larvae, algae and other plant food. |
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Note: |
Do not place guppies with long fins in with fin-biting fish. |
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