Powder Blue Dwarf Gourami (Trichogaster lalius)
Dwarf Gouramis come in many attractive colour morphs, including Dwarf Gouramis, Trichogaster lalius. Their labyrinth organ, part of the fish, allows them to absorb atmospheric oxygen directly.
Powder Blue Gouramis are peaceful, shy and hardy fish that are suitable for beginner aquarists. Provided the tank is set up and maintained properly, they are relatively undemanding. In spite of this, they do require regular maintenance because they are susceptible to diseases if the water quality isn't maintained. In addition, it is essential to consider the location of the tank, as these fish will become nervous if their tanks are in noisy places or if there is a lot of traffic around them.
An oval-shaped, somewhat compressed body characterizes Powder Blue Gouramis. Their fins are round and relatively large, and their ventral fins are thread-like and contain remarkably perceptive touch-sensitive cells. Their primary colour is iridescent powder blue with very few vertical red stripes.
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| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Trichogaster lalius |
| Year Described | 1822 |
| Other Names | Coral Blue Dwarf Gourami, Blue Dwarf Gourami. |
| Classification | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Anabantiformes |
| Family | Osphronemidae |
| Genus | Trichogaster |
| Origins | |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Aquarium Level | All Levels |
| Difficulty | Beginner - Intermediate |
| Shoaling | No |
| Best kept as | Groups 5+ |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Reproduction | Bubble nest |
| Lifespan | 4 - 7 years |
| Water Parameters | |
|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater |
| PH | 6.0 - 8.0 |
| GH | 5 - 18 |
| TDS | 50 - 140 |
| Temperature | |
|---|---|
| 72 - 82℉ 22.2 - 27.8℃ | |
Feeding
In the home aquarium, the Powder Blue 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.
Sexual Dimorphism
It is relatively straightforward to determine males from females.
Males are much more colourful than females, their dorsal fin is more elongated and pointed, and their abdomens are usually smaller than females. The female is smaller, has much less colour, and her back is curved or round.