What are the best ways of keeping dwarf gourami?

Question

please give me your tips about caring for, and breeding them.

Answer 1

Somehow I don.t think that was her personal experiences above... and no link tot he source either... here's the link

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwarf_gourami

To be totally honest, breed dwarf gouramis is very much like breeding bettas except the pair can be together before spawning and sometimes even after spawning, depending on the size of the tank. Personally, I always removed the female just to be safe.

A 10 gallon tank is great for keeping and breeding them, but if you want to breed them be sure to have a sponge filter and no gravel in the tank. Both of these things I consider to be keys to success.

Feeding well on live foods or frozen foods will condition dwarf gouramis in very short order, so get your fry food ready before you even start conditioning the pair for spawning. Infusoria and microworms will be the best first foods, followed by baby brine shrimp within 10 days to 2 weeks of free swimming.

MM

Answer 2

Most dwarf gouramis live for about four years but with proper care can live longer. Dwarf gouramis are peaceful fish that do well in most community aquaria. They require a tank that is 40 liters (10 US gallons) or larger. They are usually found swimming on the middle to top regions of the aquarium. This is not surprising since, like all gouramis, the dwarf gourami is a labyrinth fish. That is, dwarf gouramis can breathe oxygen from the air through their labyrinth organ (like the betta) if necessary. It is important, therefore that the surface of the water be exposed to fresh air. This is usually accomplished by using a hood that allows air ventilation. If you are using good air pumps, this is not always needed, since the air pumps will refresh the air above the water.

The aquarium should be heavily planted and have at least part of the surface covered with floating plants. A darker substrate will help show-off the gourami's colors, and peat filtration is recommended. Dwarf Gouramis should not be kept with large, aggressive fish, but are compatible with other small, peaceful fish as well as with fellow gouramis.[3] Despite their shy, and docile nature they are aggressive towards fellow dwarf gourami. Each fish tends to establish a territory, and hiding places are a must. Loud noises often scare them, so the tank should be in a quiet area. Regular water changes are a must, as this gourami can be susceptible to disease.[3]

Dwarf gouramis are tolerant of fairly high temperature. This can be used to eliminate fish diseases such as Ich from the aquarium. Temperatures of 84 °F (29 °C) are easily tolerated.


Feeding
A varied diet is very important to the dwarf gourami, which is an omnivore that prefers both algae-based foods and meaty foods. An algae-based flake food, along with freeze-dried bloodworms, tubifex, and brine shrimp, will provide these fish with proper nutrition.


Breeding
Besides the difference in color, the sex can be determined by the dorsal fin. The male's dorsal fin is pointed, while the female's is rounded or curved.[citation needed] The water level should be reduced to 7-10cm (6-8 inches) during spawning, and the temperature should be approximately 28-30 °C (82 °F). Vegetation is essential, as males build their bubble nest using plant material, which it binds together with bubbles. Nests are very elaborate and sturdy, reaching several inches across and an inch deep. Limnophila aquatica, Riccia fluitans , Ceratopteris thalictroides, and Vesicularia dubyana, are good choices for the breeding tank. Peat fiber may also be offered as building material.

After spawning the female should be moved to a different tank. The male will now take sole responsibility for the eggs, aggressively defending the nest and surrounding territory. When first hatched, the tiny fry should be fed infusoria, and later, brine shrimp and finely ground flakes.[4] Freeze-dried tablets may also be fed to older fry.

Answer 3

Ditto to Magicman!