The dwarf gourami (colisa nana) are among the smallest fish of the family to which they belong. The dwarf gourami is a brightly colored fish that forms beautiful communities. Pet shops sell males more frequently than females, so these are less common. They are perfect fish for beginners or as the main subject of an aquarium.
Steps
Step 1. Familiarize yourself with the fish
The dwarf gourami is one of the smallest fish of the Belontiidae family. Because they are about 5cm long, they are great as main subjects in small aquariums, for example 75 liter (20 gallon) aquariums. Like most tropical fish, they have bright colors. Female dwarf gouramis are duller colors and are usually not as widespread as males. Males always have very bright liveries and can be:
- Powder blue
- Fire red
- Green
Step 2. Buy a sufficiently large aquarium
Although the dwarf gourami is a rather small fish, it must stay in an appropriately sized aquarium. A 55 liter (15 gallon) aquarium can be considered as an aquarium suitable for only one gourami and a few other fish. Only one gourami per aquarium or a pair are held, but they must come from the SAME aquarium and the SAME store! Gouramis are like betta fish: they attack fish that resemble betta fish.
Step 3. Buy a heating device
All gouramis are tropical fish and must be housed in an aquarium with temperatures suitable for them. The suitable temperature varies between 24 and 26.5 degrees centigrade.
Step 4. Choose the other fish in the aquarium
Dwarf gouramis are not considered aggressive, but attack other anabantids such as: betta fish, other gouramis, etc. They can coexist in an aquarium with gregarious fish.
- They can coexist with: armored catfish (corydoras), tetras, angelfish, smaller cypriniformes and other smaller fish or fish that will most likely not bother them.
- Fish that do not coexist with dwarf gouramis: betta fish, other gouramis and other anabantids or fish with long fins and bright colors.
Step 5. Decorations
Dwarf gouramis are usually rather shy fish. It would be great to put some live or artificial plants in the aquarium so that they can hide. Pieces of wood are fine too.
Step 6. Power
An appropriate diet for dwarf gouramis is tropical fish flakes or bloodworms. Other foods, such as frozen plankton, provide the gourami with the necessary nutrients. Some tropical fish feeds contain substances that activate colors, making the fish livery more vibrant.
Step 7. Get your gourami to settle
Like other fish, the dwarf gourami needs to acclimate for 15-30 minutes to adjust water parameters, including temperature. Gently take the fish out of the bag (using a net) and be careful not to drop the water contained in the bag into the aquarium.
Advice
- They are very peaceful fish.
- They are tropical fish, you will need a heating device!
- They are labyrinthine fish. Like all other gourami species and like other anabantids, they are able to absorb oxygen from the atmosphere.
- A 55 liter (15 gallon) aquarium is suitable for housing a single dwarf gourami and a few other fish.
Warnings
- Although they are peaceful fish, they do not have to live with betta fish or fish that resemble betta fish.
- There must NOT be any other dwarf gourami species in the same aquarium, unless the fish are from the same aquarium and store.
