{"product_id":"dwarf-gourami-trichogaster-lalius","title":"Dwarf Gourami | Trichogaster lalius","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Dwarf Gourami is a small, brilliantly-coloured labyrinth fish, with males shimmering in alternating red and electric-blue stripes. Peaceful, slow-moving and topping out around 7–8 cm, it makes a gorgeous centrepiece for a calm, well-planted community. Keep only one male per tank to avoid squabbling.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNative to the slow and still waters of the Indian subcontinent — rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, ditches and rice paddies across India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. These are warm, heavily vegetated, gently-flowing waters where the fish shelters among dense marginal and surface plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMales carry the classic oblique bands of turquoise-blue and orange-red over a tall, laterally compressed body, with the long feeler-like pelvic fins typical of gouramis. Females are smaller, plainer and silvery-grey. Selectively bred colour forms such as flame, powder-blue and neon are widely available.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGenerally peaceful and rather shy, but males are territorial towards each other and towards similar-looking fish, so keep just one male. It appreciates calm tankmates and a quiet tank; boisterous or nippy species will stress it and damage its trailing fins.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn easy omnivore. Feed a quality flake or micro-pellet staple alongside live and frozen daphnia, brine shrimp and bloodworm, plus some vegetable matter or algae-based food. Varied feeding keeps colour and condition at their best.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs a labyrinth fish it breathes air at the surface, so keep a lid with a warm air gap above the water and avoid a cold draught over the surface. Provide warm, soft to neutral water, gentle filtration, dense planting with some floating cover, and stable conditions. Be aware the species is prone to Dwarf Gourami Iridovirus and bacterial infections, so buy healthy stock and keep water pristine.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA bubble-nest builder. The male constructs a floating nest, often woven with plant fragments, entices the female beneath it and then guards the eggs and fry alone. The female should be removed after spawning, as the male can become aggressive in defence of the nest.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTrichogaster lalius\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDwarf Gourami\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndia, Bangladesh and Pakistan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7–8 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–6 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (one male per tank)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e80+ litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–15 dGH (soft to medium)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCalm planted community aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful, non-nippy community fish such as rasboras, tetras, corydoras, small peaceful barbs, kuhli loaches and other calm species. A single male only.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther male dwarf gouramis, fin-nippers such as tiger barbs, and aggressive or boisterous fish that will bully this gentle, slow-moving species.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232840073507,"sku":"AA3404","price":18.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232840106275,"sku":null,"price":23.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Dwarf_Gourami_63ecfa6d-90e5-4f12-9af8-9a0cb5fff990.jpg?v=1781700335","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/dwarf-gourami-trichogaster-lalius","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}