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FishbeginnerFreshwater

Dwarf Gourami

Trichogaster lalius

AnimaliaChordataActinopterygiiOsphronemidae

📍 Ganges, Brahmaputra & Barak, South Asia

Ask Finn

The Dwarf Gourami is a compact labyrinth fish renowned for the male's spectacular flame-red and turquoise-blue diagonal stripes on a petite 5–6 cm (2.0–2.4 in) body. It is a popular choice for smaller community tanks where larger gourami species would be impractical. Males can be mildly aggressive toward one another, so a single male per tank is usually advisable unless the aquarium is large and well planted.

Size3.5"
Min Tank15g
semi-aggressive
Zonemid

Care Guide

Diet

Dwarf Gouramis are omnivores that thrive on a varied diet of high-quality micro pellets and flake foods as staples, supplemented 2-3 times weekly with live or frozen brine shrimp and small frozen foods. Blanched vegetables like zucchini and spinach should be offered occasionally to provide plant matter and promote digestive health. Feed small portions once daily, only what can be consumed in 2-3 minutes.

Behavior

Dwarf Gouramis are peaceful mid-water swimmers that spend much of their time exploring plants and decorations with deliberate, graceful movements. Males are mildly territorial and will display vibrant colors and flaring behavior toward other males, making single-male tanks advisable unless the aquarium is heavily planted with ample space. They are labyrinth breathers and will occasionally surface to gulp air, which is normal behavior.

Breeding

Breeding Dwarf Gouramis in captivity is moderately difficult and requires specific conditions including dense floating plants, warm water (26-28°C), and excellent water quality. Males build bubble nests and will guard eggs and fry aggressively; females should be removed after spawning to prevent harassment. Fry are tiny and require infusoria or liquid fry food for the first week before graduating to micro pellets.

Common Diseases

Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)

Symptoms

White spots covering body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, rubbing against surfaces

Treatment

Raise temperature gradually to 28-30°C, perform daily 25% water changes, and treat with aquarium salt (1 teaspoon per 5 gallons) or commercial ich medication for 7-10 days

Fin Rot

Symptoms

Frayed or deteriorating fin edges, discoloration at fin margins, lethargy

Treatment

Improve water quality with frequent water changes, reduce stocking density, treat with antibacterial medication, and ensure adequate aeration and filtration

Labyrinth Organ Infection

Symptoms

Difficulty breathing, gasping at surface, swollen gill area, loss of appetite

Treatment

Maintain pristine water conditions, ensure access to surface for air gulping, treat with broad-spectrum antibiotics if bacterial, and avoid sudden temperature fluctuations

Velvet Disease (Oodinium)

Symptoms

Fine golden or rust-colored dust on body, rapid gill movement, scratching behavior, lethargy

Treatment

Raise temperature to 28-30°C, perform daily water changes, treat with copper-free medication or increase aeration and reduce light exposure for 5-7 days

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Quick Facts

diet
Omnivore – micro pellets, flake food, brine shrimp, blanched vegetables
lifespan
4–6 years
max size
6 cm (2.4 in)
tank size
10 gallons minimum
temperament
Peaceful; males mildly territorial with each other

Water it likes

ph
6.0–7.5
ammonia
0 ppm
nitrate
<20 ppm
hardness
4–10 dGH
temperature
75–82°F (24–28°C)

Stats

Community tips0
Kept by0 hobbyists