Marble gourami care spawning photo video description compatibility. Pearl gourami - the ideal inhabitant of the aquarium
Gourami are freshwater labyrinth fish, whose “brand name” is ventral fins in the form of long threads. These same threads are their organ of touch. Homeland gourami - Southeast Asia and Indochina. You can often see how gourami feel the walls and decorations of the aquarium with them.
Like all representatives of the labyrinth, gouramis breathe atmospheric air, so the aquarium should not be closed tightly - fresh air should always flow under the lid. Gourami - one of the most unpretentious aquarium fish And they are just as easy to breed as they are to keep.
The body size of all types of gourami is from 5 to 10 cm, only the serpentine gourami can grow up to 20 cm.
The sex differences of this fish are quite clearly expressed: males are larger than females, brighter colored, their fins are longer (the dorsal fin is large and elongated).
What to feed gourami
Gourami feed mainly on small live food: daphnia, coretra, tubifex, bloodworm. In the absence of live food, they can be fed with dry granules and flakes. Many aquarists are pleased with one gastronomic addiction of all gourami - coil snails and fizy. Hungry fish are happy to rid the aquarium of small mollusks.
The water temperature for keeping these labyrinths is 23-26 degrees, hardness up to 16gr., pH 6-7, filtration and water changes are required weekly by 15-20% of the volume. They contain gourami in low aquariums with a water level of 35-40 cm, bright lighting and large quantity plants, including floating ones. Driftwood can be placed in the aquarium, which will bring the habitat closer to the natural one.
Gourami Compatibility
Gourami are peaceful fish and they need the same neighbors. They get along well with iris, lalius, macropods, neon, parsing, minors, apistograms, corridors, ancistrus.
Gourami breeding
Very beautiful gourami during spawning. The color of the fish becomes brighter, more interesting. For breeding, an aquarium of 40-50 liters with a water level of 25-30 cm is used.
Water should be settled, fresh. It is necessary to feed during this period. A bunch of Riccia should be added to the aquarium; when spawning gourami, it is preferable to other plants.
The male himself builds a foam nest (between floating plants), and the female at this time spawns, up to 2000 pieces.
Caviar floats up, the male collects it in the nest. He drives away the female, it is better to put her away immediately. The male continues to take care of the eggs for another 2-3 days. When the fry begin to swim, the male must also be removed, otherwise he can destroy the offspring. Food for fry - ciliates, nematodes. After 2-3 weeks, producers can breed again. This period can last up to 6 months.
Pearl gourami differs from the usual, spotted gourami in a more flattened and tall body.
The color is silvery-violet, shiny spots resembling pearls are evenly distributed over the body.
The dorsal fin is extended and reaches the caudal. In the female, it is shorter and has a round shape. These fish prefer very clean water.
The blue gourami does not have spots on its body, like the spotted one. The conditions of detention are similar to other types of gourami.
Gourami marble obtained by selection from blue. It is distinguished by the presence of irregularly shaped black spots at the back of the body.
Dominant in color green color more than blue. The temperature of the content is 26 degrees, when diluted up to 28 degrees.
sunny or golden gourami
Sunny gourami is very beautiful. Its body color is yellow-orange. There are barely noticeable dark stripes on it. The fins are dotted with red and yellow dots.
The body length usually does not exceed 8 cm. The caudal fin has a red or dark border.
Fiery…
Opal
Dwarf
There are several other types of gourami. The conditions for their maintenance and reproduction are very similar. The fish differ only in color and body size.
Chocolate
kissing
Video: gourami breeding.
Aquariums and fish are the most The best way relieve stress after a hard day at work and create a positive atmosphere in the room. In this article we will talk about this type of domestic fish, like gourami, show their photos and dwell on a few important points regarding their care.
Description and varieties
Gourami are labyrinthine freshwater fish that have taken root in an artificial habitat. Here are a few places natural habitat in the world:
- South Vietnam;
- Indonesia;
- Thailand;
- Malacca Peninsula.
The peculiarity of such fish is available special body or, as it is called, the "labyrinth apparatus", which evolutionary way arose in the inhabitants of very polluted reservoirs.
When the water is very long time muddy, the fish swim to the surface and “swallow” the air with this particular device, thanks to which they can continue to live in dirty pools.
Did you know? The aquarium, as we see it today and use it in interior decoration, was invented by an English scientist in 1841.
They are valued due to the fact that they differ from others in their unpretentiousness and rather calm character, as well as a variety of species with original colors and fin shapes. 
This fish has an upper fin, or as it is also called - dorsal, rather small, but still always repeats the texture and pattern of the body. The anal fin, or ventral, located below, is most often equal in size to the length of the body of the fish itself.
It consists of many ordered threads. They are an important organ of gourami. With their help, fish can feel over long distances, determine danger and navigate in the process of movement.
When they swim, they feel everything under them with the help of these strings. It is also impossible not to note the perfect antennae, which most often do not leave neighbors indifferent. The fish can grow up to 12 centimeters in their artificial habitat, but most of them have a body length of 3 to 8 centimeters. Gourami live for quite a long time.
A long-lived fish is known, whose age was 88 years. Of course, this is a very rare exception, but their rather long lifespan is a big plus for aquarium lovers.
Now we will present some of the most popular types of gourami aquarium fish, add a photo with names and a brief description.Let's start with the most beautiful and unusual look gourami - pearl. The body of the fish is orange-red, a dark stripe runs along it, and small white dots-pearls are scattered over almost the entire surface of the body. 
This species is also unique because the fish make their own sound, which becomes especially expressive during the laying of eggs by the female. Sounds are produced due to the movement of the fins.
In males at this time, the red tint on the body becomes even brighter and seems to be on fire. Surprising fact is that this species has a memory and can recognize its owner.
Did you know? In wildlife, pearl gouramis are listed in the Red Book, since every year the atmosphere and waters are polluted, and they are threatened with extinction. For example, the population completely disappeared in Thailand, where the most pearl fish were born before.
This species lives up to 8 years, and grows up to 9 centimeters in length. It is quite easy to distinguish a pearl male and a female from a gourami. 
The female has a weaker color and small fins, while the male stands out for its brightness and large fins.
Fascinating is somewhat similar to blue. Their body is painted in a metallic blue hue, but the first species also has an interesting pattern of darker shades. 
The female and male representing the marbled gourami are somewhat different in body shape and color.
The female sex is more rounded and has a lighter color, while the male sex is elongated and dark. The body grows up to 10 centimeters in length, but the female is usually always smaller.
The blue look is very beautiful glitter bouncing off rays of light. On a solid blue body sometimes there are separate dark spots, which makes the fish unique. 
It is quite a funny sight. Their mouths are slightly open, and when the fish begin to communicate, it seems that they are kissing.
Why gourami do this has not yet been explained. They have a gray body with a gray-green tint and color pink, with transparent fins and small scales.
This species is quite large: it grows up to 15 centimeters. Therefore, they need special conditions content - the aquarium should be an average of 200 liters. 
The only thing that distinguishes them from other species is their more quick-tempered and aggressive nature, which often complicates the process of creating an aquarium with individuals of various species.
Did you know? Kissing gourami in nature grows up to 30 centimeters in the waters of Thailand and Indonesia. Therefore, this species is quite often used for food.
Highly interesting view. The body of the male is decorated with a dark brown stripe below in the abdomen. 
The female is somewhat lighter and without a stripe. The hues of this species can range from orange and yellow to bright red.
Another kind - golden, very popular among aquarium lovers. It will stand out with a unique golden tint. 
Gourami are quite unpretentious and take root in any conditions. But there are several important rules for marble or other types of gourami in care and maintenance.
For labyrinth fish, there are certain parameters of temperature, amount of light and other water characteristics that are optimal for them:
- warm water, about 24-28 degrees Celsius;
- acidity pH - from 6.5 to 8.5;
- low light;
- high density of algae.
Did you know? The largest aquarium, 25 meters high, is located in the German capital's hotel and is home to more than 2,600 fish of 56 species. The second largest reservoir is located in the Japanese city of Okinawa in the exhibition center.
The last two points are due to the fact that gourami is a rather shy fish. She will be very uncomfortable in a deep, spacious tank with little or no algae. So plant aquatic plants both to the bottom and let them float on the surface. Here are some options:
- vallisneria;
- elodea;
- duckweed;
- pinnate;
- riccia;
- salvinia;
- leaves of nymphs;
- pistia.
Important! Vegetation should not be overdone. After all, so the fish will not have a place to swim and play. BUT a large number of floating algae will block their way to atmospheric air without which they cannot live.
Another one important feature that the temperature must be the same both in the water and in the atmosphere. 
If this difference is significant, then there is a possibility of damage to the labyrinth apparatus and, as a result, the disease of the fish that swallows cold air.
The volume of the aquarium also plays an important role in the cultivation of fish. For young individuals, a 50-liter tank will be enough, but adults will need 100 liters.
The gourami themselves live mainly in the middle and upper lane. This volume will be quite enough to keep about six individuals in it. For one male, three females are needed. As already noted, this species has a labyrinth apparatus, so you should take care of the ventilation of the space above the surface of the water and the lid of the aquarium itself, as the fish can jump out of the water quite high.
The distance between the lid and the water must be at least 5 centimeters. These are all the necessary conditions in which marble gourami, as well as other varieties, can be kept and propagated.Rules for feeding gourami
Pearl gourami eats everything. If it is food, then it can be frozen, live or artificial. The latter option is better to choose in the form of flakes or granules and make up the basis of the fish's diet from it. 
It is desirable to supplement the menu with live or frozen food, and these can be a variety of insects, cut pipe bug, bloodworms or crustaceans. But it is better not to teach the last gourami, but only occasionally indulge.
It is also important to note that the fish itself has a small mouth, which is why it swallows large granules or other large view feed it will be quite difficult.
Did you know? In nature, these fish are real hunters. Their goal is small insects that fly above the surface of the water. Gourami track down their prey and, emerging, let a stream of water into the insect, which, straying from its path, falls directly into the water.
How to determine the sex of a fish
Anyone who looks closely at the structure of the body and fins can distinguish the sex by comparing two individuals. The main difference is that females have a more rounded and short fin, while males, on the contrary, are pointed, and their upper dorsal fin is rather long and sometimes reaches the very tail. The body of the former is more rounded and wide, while the body of the latter is elongated and pointed, and somewhat larger in size than that of females. Also, the color of all species is different: males are bright, but females are not.
The same is true during spawning: males become even brighter, while females remain nondescript.
Breeding rules
Gourami pearl and other species need comfortable conditions for reproduction. Therefore, the aquarium should always have a male and females.
As soon as you notice that a female fish has a tummy where eggs have gathered, she and the male need to be placed in a hotel aquarium, or this pair should be separated with a glass partition in a common tank. 
But it is still better to allocate a separate aquarium for the reason that the degree of water will need to be raised, than you will create favorable conditions for the survival and development of fry.
Important! If the female is not transplanted in time, thereby preventing her from laying eggs, she develops a cyst, which causes the death of the fish.
The dimensions of the new tank should be as follows: height - no more than 15 centimeters, volume - 15-20 liters, and temperature - from 26 to 28 degrees.
It is imperative to create a small area with dense vegetation, and a snag or stones are also needed to protect the female from attacks by the male, which is quite likely to happen. 
Spawning lasts about 4 hours. When you see that the eggs have been laid, the female must be removed in community aquarium. Now it's up to the male. He takes care of the eggs and eats almost nothing for 3 days while building a nest with a radius of up to 4 cm.
He creates it from foam. Caviar rises and falls into this foam, where it remains until the fry appear.
Sometimes the male pearl gourami and other species will breed on their own by placing the eggs in their mouth and transferring the eggs to the nest. 
At this time, it is important to monitor and maintain a constant water temperature of at least 26 degrees, otherwise the male, feeling cold, will simply leave the eggs and will not look after her.
Important! Foam is created using air bubbles in the water, which the male sticks together with his saliva. Therefore, it is important to place floating algae in a separate aquarium with eggs and male, and also be sure to leave a small place so that the fish can “grab” atmospheric air.
When you notice that the fry have become very active, the male should be removed to the general aquarium. All this time he does not eat anything, and it is impossible to give him food, because of which he can readily attack the fry.
Growing fry is a rather laborious process., since the problem arises due to their uneven growth. Every day you need to monitor the size of the fry and plant the largest in a separate tank with warm water filled with algae. 
The whole growth process lasts about 2 months. After that, the fish can be gradually sent to the general aquarium. During this period, fry can be fed with ciliates, the first three days in small portions.
It is necessary to add food 6 times a day. Later, the food can be enriched with additional pond live dust. If they are not fed from the first day, the fry will quickly die.
Compatibility with other fish
This species is very peaceful, which is why even those fish that are two or even three times smaller than the gourami themselves can offend him. It is better to choose the same peaceful and modest individuals as neighbors, and it is better if these are other types of gourami. 
When planting new neighbors, carefully observe their reaction: if they become interested in the strings that are the ventral fin of the gourami, then these fish most likely will not get along together.
Here are some good options for creating a peaceful atmosphere in a gourami aquarium:
- characin fish: neon, minor, rasbora;
- angelfish;
- catfish: ancistrus, corridor;
- apistograms.
Possible diseases
The most common problem that gourami owners face is the common cold. This happens due to the fact that the temperature balance is not observed. environment and water. Fish swallow cold air and get sick. 
The second problem is obesity. You can notice this disease, like any other, by reducing the rather high activity that is inherent in this species. It is better not to feed the fish for several days than to overfeed.
In addition, if you leave for a week, then nothing bad will happen to gourami with no food for 7 whole days.
Fin rot causes disorientation in space as the fin decomposes and changes structure. For treatment, you should also consult a specialist.
Gourami is a rather unpretentious fish, very beautiful and peaceful. But in order to avoid trouble, you must always maintain stable and correct conditions for their life, buy only high-quality food and constantly monitor their behavior.
Any aquarist, when buying new fish, tries to acquire animals of different sexes so that he can breed them. Sometimes males and females are so similar that only experienced specialists are able to discern those features that have fish of different sexes.
male gourami regardless of the type, it always has quite impressive dimensions. But it must be said that this sign should be paid attention when the fish approaches the age of puberty, since before this period the male lags behind in growth from the fish of the opposite sex. In addition, the male gourami has bright color, which increases even more just before spawning itself. So, most aquarists note the appearance of very bright, rich colors color in the anal fin area, which may become bright orange or scarlet, as well as take on a darker shade. As for the fins, they also have big sizes and always pointed shape.
female gourami during the period of active growth, it is characterized by a rapid gain in body weight, which, however, during puberty is always less than in males. As for the color, it is somewhat paler than that of the males. And even during the spawning period, the color of the female, although it changes, is not much. Also, aquarists distinguish female gourami by the shape of their fins, which are rounded and rather small in relation to body length.
On the left is a male gourami. Right - female
The first step is to pay attention to their external differences. Male gouramis are somewhat larger than females, but this trait should only be used when the fish have reached the age of puberty. This is due to the fact that when the fish are still fry, females grow faster than members of the opposite sex. Then you should look at the color of the animals, since males always look much brighter than their companions, and this does not depend on what period they are compared in - immediately before spawning or long before it. And one more important hallmark is the moment that in male gourami the fin is always longer, reaching almost to the tail, and pointed, while in the female gourami it has a rounded shape and is not so long.
Findings site
- The body of the male at puberty is always larger than that of the female;
- The color of the male gourami is always brighter and more intense than that of the female, and before spawning, his abdomen becomes bright orange or deep red, but it can also be dark, and spots throughout the body become more pronounced;
- The fin of the female gourami is small and has a rounded shape, while in the male it often reaches the tail and is always pointed at the end.
shared
This fish is suitable even for beginner aquarists: it is so easy to care for it. But marble gourami is not easy in itself, it is a fish with history and character. It is very interesting to watch it, and it can be kept in a relatively small aquarium along with other species.
If you make a list of the most popular aquarium fish for beginners, then marble gourami will definitely be included in this list. This is really the most undemanding type of gourami in terms of content, and the fish look quite impressive. Here are just stories about their peacefulness can be misleading, and sometimes create problems for the rest of the inhabitants of the aquarium.
A bit of history
Marble gourami is a product of artificial selection; in nature, this type of fish does not exist. Their progenitors were blue gourami living in the reservoirs of South Asia. The honor of creating the species belongs to the American aquarist Cosby, so the second name marble gourami- Gourami Cosby.
View Features
The name of the genus Trichogaster, to which these fish belong, is literally translated into Russian as "thread legs". All gourami are distinguished by long mobile antennae, transformed from pelvic fins; With “thread legs” they feel the surrounding relief, and they also know how to show emotions with their movements. All gourami are very similar, they differ mainly only in color.
Moving his antennae, gourami expresses his mood
Appearance
It is the color that determines the names of most types of gourami, marbles are no exception. The dark stains on their silvery scales are indeed very reminiscent of the play of polished marble. In a large aquarium, adults grow up to 15 centimeters in length; the body of the fish is oval, flattened laterally. Most of all, it resembles a tree leaf, which for some reason floats non-horizontally in the water column. The movements of the fish are exceptionally beautiful - very smooth, sliding, they suddenly become virtuoso-swift. For its size, the marbled gourami is an unusually graceful fish.
Character and behavior
In nature, gourami can grow much larger than in an aquarium - up to 70 centimeters. Obviously, gene memory largely determines the behavioral potential of these fish: they perceive themselves as big and strong. Marble gouramis are self-confident and calm, but in certain situations they become merciless fighters and even attack fish that are larger than them.
Marble gourami "remembers" itself as a big and strong fish
But at normal conditions content marble gourami behave peacefully. The main condition for this is a really spacious aquarium.. Even warlike males will not conflict if each of them can determine for himself a sufficient amount of his own territory.
Male or female?
By six months, gourami usually reach puberty, but it is quite possible to distinguish a male from a female even at a more tender age. With the same color, females most often outnumber cavaliers in size and have a much more rounded abdomen, this is clearly visible. It is easy to determine the gender of the marbled gourami by the shape of the dorsal fin of the fish: in the female it is short and rounded, while in the male it is pointed and long.
The male marbled gourami has a triangular dorsal fin, while the female has a rounded dorsal fin.
How to distinguish between a male and a female - video
It must be remembered that gourami belong to labyrinth fish, in which, in addition to ordinary gills, there is another respiratory organ - the so-called labyrinth (an organ that allows fish to additionally breathe atmospheric oxygen). Access to fresh atmospheric air is vital for these fish in order to swallow it from the surface of the water. In a tightly closed aquarium, gourami die after a while.
Aquarium for gourami
Gourami need space to be able to move normally, so a 50-liter aquarium is too small for a pair of such fish: they need at least twice the volume. Marble gourami tolerate cool water, but still the temperature in the aquarium should not fall below 16 degrees. The optimum water temperature for keeping marble gourami is 26–28 degrees.
Large aquarium - the dream of a marble gourami
Both the gourami themselves and the aquatic plants among which they live need a lot of light. As for other water parameters, these fish are not particularly demanding on them: hardness indicators can range from 10 to 20, and acidity should be 6.5–7.5. Like other labyrinths, gourami do not need aeration or filtration, but this is necessary for the overall well-being of the aquarium.
Marble gourami prefers live plants over fake plants
For the bottom of the aquarium, it is better to choose not light, but dark soil, on which you can lay out large shards and arrange other shelters - here the gourami will be able to hide and feel comfortable. These fish also really like the dense underwater “jungle”, a variety of plants will suit them:
Any medium-sized plants floating on the surface of the water will not interfere either: in them, a spawning pair will be able to arrange a nest for their offspring.
We equip housing for fish - video
Feeding
Best for feeding gourami live food:
Natural foods - the basis of nutrition for marbled gourami
Monotonous food is bad for physical condition marble gourami and their ability to reproduce. Organize a nutritious diet for fish, alternating a variety of live foods with high-quality dry foods in their menu. You can successfully diversify the diet of your pets by adding lettuce or dandelion leaves (they must first be scalded with boiling water), scraped meat, chopped canned peas and even ... semolina.
Compatibility
Marble fish in most cases peacefully coexist with other fish, with the exception of the following species:
In a large aquarium, gourami do not conflict with neighbors
But in some situations, this really peaceful fish suddenly becomes an aggressor and enters into fierce fights: rivals maim and kill each other. In what cases does this happen and what should you pay attention to:
The behavior of marbled gourami is very interesting, and there are curious points to consider when keeping these fish:
Before spawning marble gourami change color
Breeding
If desired, even a novice aquarist is able to get offspring from marble gourami, but not everyone can save and grow fry. Different kinds Gourami, when crossed, are capable of producing hybrid offspring, and some aquarists are purposefully doing this. But, for example, crossing a marble gourami with a pearl one has not yet yielded results.
Very interesting to watch marriage rituals fish during spawning and how a responsible "young father" takes care of the offspring. In order to prepare a couple for spawning, it should be resettled in a spacious light aquarium, the water temperature in which will not fall below 27 degrees. Future parents need to be fed several times a day with high-quality live food. Soon you will notice how the female's tummy is becoming more and more rounded: caviar is ripening in it.
Male gourami touchingly and persistently cares for his girlfriend
In the aquarium for spawning should be at least 50 liters. And no extraneous fish: the male's aggression is growing rapidly during this period, he even drives his own female, and simply kills any other neighbors.
The future father begins to equip the "nursery" in the corner of the aquarium in advance - to build a foamy nest for eggs from air bubbles. He persistently cares for the female, hugging her tightly with his body to help squeeze out the eggs. Then he picks up the eggs and carefully places them in the nest. By this time, the female should be transplanted: she can eat caviar.
The male will selflessly guard the nest until fry emerge from the eggs. In three or four days they will be able to swim on their own. Then the male must also be transplanted, and the fry should be fed properly: their survival depends on the quality of feeding.
The first two or three days the fry do not leave the nest
How to feed marbled gourami fry? At first, they are very tiny and can only eat mashed boiled yolk or ciliates-shoes as food. But young gourami grows very quickly and begins to willingly eat the smallest crustaceans:
Marble gourami fry are characterized by uneven growth. It is imperative to follow this and sort the fish by size in a timely manner so that there is no “hazing” of the larger ones in relation to the smallest ones.
Marriage games - video
Diseases
With improper maintenance, even unpretentious marble gourami can get sick. By keeping your aquarium clean at all times, you reduce the risk of introducing a variety of serious pathogens:
Keep your aquarium clean so that your gouramis are always healthy.
The most characteristic diseases for marble gourami - table
Gourami are considered relatively undemanding pets. They are kept in fairly spacious aquariums of 40-50 liters. It is very important to create bright lighting that will contribute to the most saturated colors of the fish. It is necessary to carefully monitor the purity of the water, for this you can install a filter.
The soil should be selected in a dark color: granite chips, small pebbles with pieces of ceramics that will be used for shelters. For the same purpose, it is better to plant aquatic plants thicker.
Gourami from time to time can float to the surface of the water for a portion fresh air. It is necessary to leave at least 8 cm free to the edge of the aquarium and cover it with glass.
Preparing fish for breeding
For breeding, several males and several females are usually chosen, which are previously seated in separate jars for a week and fed with live food. Males can be distinguished by their pointed dorsal fin, in females it is rounded. A female ready for spawning can be identified by a rounded tummy.
The selected female is transplanted into a spawning ground - a separate aquarium of 20-30 liters, with water a couple of degrees warmer than usual, without soil, with algae, including floating ones, such as duckweed. After some time, a male is added to it, which soon changes color to a brighter one. For example, a pearl gourami will be full of orange throat and belly.
Mating and reproduction
The male starts chasing the female, and in such a situation, she should have a place to hide. After the race, the male begins to build a nest of air bubbles held together by his saliva and duckweed particles. Then he hugs his girlfriend, squeezing the eggs out of her, and he immediately picks up the white eggs that fall to the bottom and takes them to the nest.
After spawning, the female gourami is usually taken back to the general aquarium, her mission is over. The male follows the nest for some time and returns the falling eggs to their place. After a couple of days, fry appear, for which it is important pure water, since they have not yet formed a respiratory organ labyrinth. So that the father does not eat his offspring, at this moment he is resettled.
In nature, a female gourami lays up to 1000 eggs, but only the largest and strongest fry that eat their brethren survive.
The fry grow quite quickly, but unevenly, and therefore it is necessary to ensure that the babies remain together about the same size, otherwise the large ones will eat the small ones. Fry are fed, as a rule, on crustacean nauplii, dry food gives a less successful result.