Gouramis and bubble nest?

Question

I've three dwarf honey gouramis for two days now and they are already building bubble nests in my pennywort. I know I have at least one male, (someones buidling the nest) but would the gouramis build the nest without a female being present or is it safe to assume that at least one of them is a female?

Answer 1

Look at the top fin. If it's pointed, it's a male. if it's curved and more blunt, it's a female.

I'm not sure about the color difference though. It's very possible they use hormones to get the desired colors. You personally wouldn't be able to tell either way by the coloring, if all you have are males. And some fish attendants at the stores can't tell you what's what to begin with. I had to call petsmart before I planned to get my female gouramis so I KNEW SOMEONE up there could help me pick out a girl, but I know the difference now, luckily.

Actually I'd say you have at least one male in order to have a bubblenest starting, But I'd check to see if you've got a female also.

It's true though, that most gouramis sold in pet stores are males, which can be agravating. I had bought a pair of males, and watched my big male torture and rip up my little one, and my female bettas. That caused aggression throughout my tank. So, now I've got 2 females (one's a gold, and one's an opaline blue, like my males) and my tiny male is in heaven chasing those big girls around!

Good luck!!!
;o)

Answer 2

Most of the dwarf gouramis (honey color variety included) available at pet stores in the US are males. This is because alot of breeders treat their fish with hormones while they are still very young to bring out color. The result is that the majority turn out to be males. Fish, unlike most birds or mammals which are just born one gender have the ability to change sex long after hatching or being born.

Answer 3

nope sorry no bets on that one -- usually males are sold and females are kept for breeding or they are culled. the females don't exibit the same colors as males so they aren't as desirable.

here is a pic of male and female --

http://articles.gpasi.org/colisa_chuna.html

if you have sunset honey gouramis they are actually thick lipped gouramis and the males are brighter but there is more disctinct pointing in the fins -- males have pointed end fins and females are more rounded. its hard to tell unless you have several for comparison/contrast.

Answer 4

Nope, not a safe assumption, a male will build a nest without a female in sight. Infact, he is doing it to try to attract a female.

The females have more rounded and shorter dorsal and anal fins and are less colorful than the males.

Female:
http://www.petfishtalk.com/images/gourami_neon_blue_female.jpg

Male:
http://www.petfishtalk.com/images/gourami_neon_blue_male.jpg

Hope that helps

MM