Flame Dwarf Gourami
A great shot by Chaos Kitten, this Flame Dwarf Gourami swims through driftwood and aquatic plants on it’s quest for tropical fish food. A color variation of the Dwarf Gourami, Colisa lalia, the Flame Dwarf Gourami will grow to about two inches long.
Probably best kept in pairs, this non-aggressive, peaceful fish is usually found minding it’s own business. I’ve kept a pair of Flame Dwarf Gourami in my freshwater aquarium. They were usually the last to eat and let the fish food drop to the bottom of the tank before eating. You don’t need a huge aquarium to hold this fish. The Dwarf Gourami is one of the best fish for a smaller sized aquarium 10 gallons or larger. Vibrant colors and gentle attitude make it an easy fish to keep. A few other things to consider regarding the Dwarf Gourami include:
- Water temperature between 73-82 F degrees
- Creates a bubblenest for breeding
- A mid-level fish dweller
- The dorsal fin of the male Flame Dwarf Gourami is pointed, while the female’s fin is rounded.
The Flame Dwarf Gourami enjoys a well planted fish tank. Floating plants are especially appreciated. My tank had tiger barbs and a few other semi aggressive fish. The Flame Gourami was definitely the shy one and would avoid the others.
A bubble nest builder, you can breed this fish by taking the level of water in the aquarium down to around 7 inches. Turn the heater up to between 83-86 F, and spawning should occur. After spawning, the female Dwarf Gourami should be removed. The eggs are watched over by the male. After the fry are free swimming, remove the male, or the fry may become his lunch. A tropical fish food specifically for small fry should be fed.
An enjoyable and vibrant fish for the community fish tank, the Flame Dwarf Gourami would add a nice shade of color to any aquarium. What’s your experience with this fish?
July 31st, 2007 at 9:10 pm
My flaming gourami is slightly aggressive. He would take food out of the serpae tetras’ mouth.
July 31st, 2007 at 9:15 pm
Hi Dawn,
I’ll bet those tetras have learned to avoid your Flame Gourami!
My Flame Dwarf will chase my bigger Gold Gourami during feeding time.
August 31st, 2007 at 9:30 am
[…] They are very pleasant, and swim quietly around. You could easily keep them with the Guppy, Dwarf Gourami, and I have even stocked them with Tiger […]
February 12th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
hi l want to know if my dwarf gourami will still have babies???
do l need a other tank for them or will they still do it in the same tank????
the other fish l got am : 4 molly’s and 2 sucker loach and 3 female guppies and a male guppy.
will they still have babies ???????????
please let me know.. l will come and have a look each day ok
bye
February 16th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
I got 1 male and 1 female dwarf gourmai about a month ago. The female is not aggresive and is active going wherever she wants. My tiger barbs give her room even though she is not aggresive. However, my male dwarf gourami just sits in the upper corner of the tank. It doesnt even move during feeding time. The only time it moves is when the female comes close and it runs to another hiding spot.
February 23rd, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Terry.. Sure they can breed, but you’ll need a seperate tank. Search for “breeding gourami” to learn more.
Chris, It could be sick and need a general medication, or just need more hiding places to feel comfortable. That’s a problem if it NEVER eats.
Mike
April 26th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Hey i might be getting a 29 gallon tank, the kit with with the filter and heater and stuff, and i want to get this fish, i currently have one female guppy and 4 baby ones do u have any idea if i should get a male or a female, i am also planning on getting mollies, swordtailes, a few tetras(small ones) should i get plants and if so which types thanks
April 29th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Hey Anthony,
It won’t really matter if you get a male or female. All the fish you mentioned there are compatible, so that’s good.
Yes. Definitely get plants. Now I prefer live plants, and will be doing a post on some I recently purchased. I like swords, and grass type plants. You can also get fake plants, but your fish need some type of environment to feel at home.
Mike
May 3rd, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Thanks Fish tank, my guppy had to more fry bnut there hastn been a male there for over 4 months suprised me when my mom told me,
I also wanted to know if barbs or white coulds could go with these fish and im probably gonna get live plants and i really want to get like the plants which are like grass but have no idea on how to vclean it when doing the water change with gravel sucker
Thanks