Dwarf Gourami (Trichogaster lalius)

The Dwarf Gourami is a majestic looking freshwater fish. They are shy and peaceful fish, very hardy and easily maintained. Because of this and their beautiful colours that make your tank stand out, they have become popular in the aquarium hobby.

If you own a pair of them, the two fish will happily swim together.

Dwarf gouramis are considered labyrinth fish; this means they breathe right from the air with their lung-like labyrinth organ and will need to have access to the water's surface.

Dwarf Gouramis are one of the smallest species of the gouramis. There are many colour variants, including blue, neon, rainbow, red, and honey.

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Feeding

In the home aquarium, the Dwarf Gourami will readily accept most good quality dried foods such as granules, flakes and sinking pellets. These modern food products have been developed to provide all adequate nutrition to maintain your fish's health and dietary requirements.

Providing additional foodstuffs such as live, frozen, and freeze-dried meals such as bloodworm, daphnia, and tubifex once or twice a week will provide additional benefits to your fish's health and well-being but is not a must for this fish.

It should be noted that bloodworms should only be given as an occasional treat and should not be used as the staple diet as they are difficult for fish to digest and can potentially cause blockages.

This fish is an omnivore in the wild, meaning it will consume some vegetable matter. Although most modern fish foods take this into account and include them in their products, you can still supplement your fish's diet with blanched vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, and zucchini. Ensure you do not overfeed your fish and remove any leftovers the following day.

Tank Mates

10 interesting tank mate ideas for the Dwarf Gourami could include: